Even in 2026, minorities still face subtle and not-so-subtle racism every day accents mocked, assumptions made, and “othering” disguised as casual conversation.
Ironically, most of my experiences have happened in schools spaces that are supposed to nurture young minds, empathy, inclusion, and belonging. Yet sometimes these environments hold a more “bubble-wrapped” version of racism: subtle enough to deny, but clear enough to feel. Shame on the ignorance that still exists in places meant to educate and uplift children.
I’ve experienced moments where someone smells Indian food and immediately turns to me with “I love Indian food,” assuming it must be mine. I’ve been repeatedly asked “Where are you from?” by people I’ve just met, as though I don’t belong there. I’ve watched people aggressively over-enunciate English while speaking to me or other collegues of colour, assuming language incompetence meanwhile, English is my mother tongue.
Curiosity is one thing, but when these interactions pile up alongside exclusionary behaviour, side comments, cliques, or intimidation tactics, it stops feeling innocent. Too often, racialized educators are made to feel like outsiders in spaces where we have equally earned our place through education, hard work, professionalism, and service to students and communities.
But instead of shrinking myself, I choose to combat ignorance differently. I introduce myself to my students proudly my ethnicity, my culture, my background and I encourage them to be proud of where they come from too. Those conversations often turn into rich multicultural learning experiences where students share their own traditions, languages, foods, and stories. In those moments, the classroom becomes what education is supposed to be: a place of curiosity, respect, connection, and belonging.
Because children are not born hateful they learn attitudes from the environments around them. And educators have a responsibility to model inclusion, not exclusion.
Aside from The First Peoples, most of us here come from settler histories in one way or another. So why are some still acting as though they have the authority to decide who belongs?
How do we expect children to grow into compassionate, inclusive adults if the adults teaching them still carry these biases themselves?
annaxmalina
turnnoffyourmind
baratheonpilled
yousharknotpass