The School That Tried to End Racism

The School That Tried to End Racism is an eye-opening British television miniseries that first aired on All 4 in 2020. This powerful and challenging societal experiment aims to tackle the complex and significant issue of systemic racism in a very unique and direct manner.

The show examines how racism and unconscious bias can find roots in a person from a young age and explores different ways to confront and challenge these biases. The aim is to broaden social discussions around race, discrimination, and equality—important and timely subjects in today's multicultural modern societies.

The series takes place in a diverse British primary school, specifically a Year 7 class consisting of 11 to 12-year-old pupils. The school becomes the platform for a transformative, real-life, three-week programme conducted by leading academics and psychologists, all specialists in the field of racial bias studying.

The students, teachers, and parents grapple with both overt racial behaviours and the more subtle undertones of "unconscious bias." This unseen bias is an automatic, mental shortcut that associatively links stereotypes or attitudes to particular groups. Unconscious bias theory suggests that we all hold social stereotypes about certain groups, which we form at an early age.

In order to highlight how dangerous and widespread these unconscious biases can be, a variety of different scientific tests, activities and frank discussions are employed. The use of immersive games, conversations, and exposure to diverse cultures are just parts of the careful and layered curriculum developed by the show.

One of the initial exercises involves dividing the year group into "affinity groups", based on their ethnic background. This controversial activity sparks many discussions, as students spend time interacting exclusively with schoolmates of their own race—thus isolating them, momentarily, from their usual diverse friend groups. The purpose of this exercise is to enable the children to identify with and explore their ethnic roots whilst also making them recognize the divide that racism can cause in society.

The series captures a wide range of emotions, from confusion and defensiveness to acceptance and curiosity. It encourages self-reflection by the students and makes them question the impact of racial stereotypes on their daily lives. It also gives the audience a chance to critically analyze their own biases and prejudices, triggering necessary conversations about race, regardless of viewers' backgrounds.

The School That Tried to End Racism also highlights the challenging role that educators have in addressing racism. The teachers get to engage in these discussions and training, showing how uncomfortable it can be for adults – not just children – to talk about race.

The series does not shy away from showing the real emotional responses from the students: rather, it consciously casts light on the raw and genuine reactions of children confronting these significant issues head-on. There are moments of discomfort and tension, but equally, moments of awakening and gaining understanding.

There is a clear progression throughout the series as the children begin with minimal comprehensive knowledge about race and systemic prejudice to becoming more aware of its implications. The development isn't solely limited to the children, either; throughout the series, it becomes clear that parents and teachers are also engaging, learning, and growing through the process.

The series faces the contentious and complex issue of racism with bravery and sensitivity. At its heart, The School That Tried to End Racism attempts to tackle the issue of racism through education, exploring if it is possible to unlearn biases and prejudices ingrained in society.

As the title suggests, the series seeks not only to end racism but more importantly, to understand it by dissecting the roots of racial bias and its impact on children's development. However, it also frames the discussion on racism as an evolving societal problem, complex and deeper than one school's attempt to end it.

Even though the series primarily addresses a UK audience, it also holds immense relevance to global audiences, exploring universal themes that resonate across geographies. The School That Tried to End Racism provides a fresh perspective on tackling issues of racial prejudice, providing an enlightening and thought-provoking experience for viewers.