In schools across the country, we learn about racism through a historic lens (if at all) leading many children and adolescents to believe that racism is an issue of the past as opposed to something that is still rife and experienced daily by people of color. This premature social-justice distancing present in modern-day schooling is a subtle, yet powerful form of manipulation which leaves our youth misinformed, deluded and ignorant to white privilege and systemic racism. To diminish systemic racism, we must appropriately educate young scholars on how they can be healthy, responsible citizens, who are routinely and actively anti-racist.

In response to the countless tragic events that have occurred, and are occurring globally, it is clearer than ever that education on white privilege and systemic racism in our schools across South Africa is essential and must be implemented as a mandatory part of our school curriculum. We must educate our youth on the history of racism, it's current manifestations/effects, as well as ever-present and pervasive white privilege to lift the veil on ‘white blindness’.  We need to actively tackle and discuss these issues through a structured, essential educational process rather than relying on a generational change to drift vaguely towards racial equity and a deeper understanding of these issues through potential default. The latter is costing people their health, safety, opportunities, humanity - and their very lives. 

Racism is a social disease that must be uprooted. Let's heal our communities and the world with the power of Knowledge.