This is an extract from an article by Dr. Harriett Romo, a sociologist, and an Associate Professor in the Department of Curriculum and Instruction at the University of Texas at Austin. The article entitled Improving Ethnic and Racial Relations in the Schools, appeared in the October 1997 issue of the ERIC Digest, EDO RC 97-5 (October 1997). It is my contention that racial relations in Malaysia can be improved by providing opportunities for "voluntary" inter-race interaction.
This "voluntary" interaction can take place via activities that are of mutual benefit while at the same time achieving a higher goal such as preserving the environment. Examples are washing cars together in a pre-designated ecologically friendly area, planting organic vegetables together to enable all participants to enjoy the benefits of food without chemicals, etc. It is essential that developers consider the housing estates that they build as building the infrastructure for the future Malaysian society, and not just fulfilling short-term housing goals. In the same way as ports and roads is the infrastructure for a nation's economic growth, housing estates will be the infrastructure for the building of harmonious integrated multi-racial communities.
"
Intergroup contacts. One way of improving intergroup relations is having students participate in joint activities. When people do things together they have opportunities to judge people on their own merits rather than on stereotypes. These contacts are most successful if the people involved are of equal social status, are working cooperatively on something, if their activity is supported by people in positions of authority, and if the activity involves a high level of intimacy (McLemore & Romo, 1998). If the activities are organized inappropriately, students involved in interethnic programs may become more prejudiced. Also key are parent, teacher, and peer support for the activities."For the full text of the article,
click here.