An Enquiry Into Racism

View Teacher's Notes for Section 1: An Enquiry Into Racism

We are about to explore what is meant by racism.  There’s going to be some Science, some History, some Religious Studies, some English and some Media Studies.  You will be thinking and then thinking about your thinking.

Racism is a concept.  It’s an idea.  It’s abstract.  You can’t touch it but you can feel it.  Some people see it around them much of the time; other people don’t; some people see it where other people can’t.  It is unfairness, injustice and discrimination based on the idea of RACE.

Many people hold strong opinions about race and racism.  To begin our work on this subject we need to be clear about the terms we are using.  Work through the following activity in a pair or group.  It should get you thinking about what is meant by race.

• Activity 1 – Definitions of Race
• Activity 2 – Nazi Ideas on Race
• Activity 3 - Hitler’s Racial State
• Activity 4 - The Importance of Eye Colour
• Activity 5 - Picturing the Reality
• Activity 6 - Nazis and Antisemitism
• Activity 7 - 'Us' and 'Them'
• Activity 8 - Black people and the Nazis
• Activity 9 - Racism and Science
• Activity 10 - Challenging the Racists