What should you do when school doesn’t feel safe for you or your child? When low expectations, stereotypes, or silence around racism leave you feeling unheard or pushed aside? 

Walking into a classroom should mean belonging and opportunity. Yet many Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students experience racism at school — sometimes openly, sometimes in subtle, systemic ways that are harder to challenge. Over time, this can affect confidence, mental health and how you or your child see the future.

In this episode of Know Your Rights, you’ll learn how racism shows up in schools, how it impacts Aboriginal kids and families, and what your rights are when discrimination happens. Narrated by journalist Jedda Costa — a proud Wemba Wamba, Yorta Yorta, Mutti Mutti and Barapa Barapa woman — the conversation centres Aboriginal voices, strength and lived experience.

You’ll hear from Professor Mark Rose, who explains how school systems can reinforce inequality and what real change can look like, and from teacher and mum Djallarna Hamilton, who speaks honestly about advocating for children and navigating school systems as an Aboriginal parent. 

Know Your Rights is a 5 part podcast series presented by the Victorian Equal Opportunity and Human Rights Commission.

If you or someone you know has experienced race discrimination, you can reach out to the Victorian Equal Opportunity and Human Rights Commission (VEOHRC) for more information, to make a complaint or report. Visit: https://www.humanrights.vic.gov.au/

Click here to access the full shownotes and resources.

Song credits:

• Koori Woman - Carol Fraser
• Call It Out - David Arden