I do not like labelling people as racist. I do not like the use of the word 'racists' at all.
I am a Muslim and I attend a Catholic college. I have never been subject to any form of racism during my time in school although I have been subject to what I call a lack of understanding. In my earlier years I would often be asked 'If you're a Muslim why do you come here?'. My reply was always, 'My parents like Catholic education and there is no harm in learning about different races or religions is there?'
Sometimes it is easy to get offended. One thing I do not like is when people make uninformed comments.
Last year, in year ten, we had a subject called 'Religion and Society'. Here, we learnt about different world religions: Christianity, Buddhism, Judaism and Islam. During one of our lessons on Islam one of the girls in my class pronounced 'I hate Muslims, the world would be better without them.' Slightly offended I bit my lip, turned around and said 'I'm a Muslim,' to which she replied, with a slightly confused face, 'But you're nice.'
Clearly she didn't have much knowledge of world religions. Her view was that of the uninformed general public: she associated Islam simply with terrorists, bombs and burqas. With so many negative images surrounding Islam, it is important for students to know someone who can prove the stereotypes wrong and change their perception.
I've come across many people who are 'surprised' when they find out I am a Muslim. At school I am always willing to participate in religious activities and many people do not realise I am not Catholic until the subject comes up in a class. I appreciate the Catholic faith for its teaching to love one another and refrain from being self-centered.
I often try to be helpful in explaining aspects of my Islamic culture, including the celebration of Ramadan. To me, it is clear that when people have at least a basic understanding of diverse cultures and religions they tend to be more accepting. Does it really matter what religion you follow or which God you believe in if you are a good person, and treat everyone how you would like to be treated?
In a beautiful, diverse country such as ours it is important that we have fundamental knowledge of world religions in order to be accepting and tolerant towards others. We live in a day and age where we judge too easily.
Many people already have a fixed view on other members of our multicultural society. Their views may have been influenced by many factors: older family members, the media, even bad experiences. Although I cannot control what is seen on the telly or how the media portrays things I can do that little bit to make a difference, to educate people on their understanding and view of Muslims.
Over the years I have learnt that I am not always going to hear things I will like. I will get offended. I will be disappointed. But sometimes you have to learn to lift your head up high, be proud of who you are as a person and how you treat others. To describe these experiences I have come across in my life as racism would be wrong. Rather, I believe it is a lack of understanding.
Nadine Rabah is an English student in year 11 at Mercy College in Coburg, Vic. She is also an umpire in the Essendon District Football League and aspires to be a journalist. She received Third Prize in the 2011 Margaret Dooley Award for this essay.