The Week Against Racism is celebrated in Finland on March 16-22. This year, the theme of the week is safety: by tackling racism, we can create safer communities for everyone to live, study and work in. Here are five reading tips that tackle racism from different angles. See HAMK Finna for more reading recommendations on racism.
 Fleras, A. (2023). A reckoning with racism: Changing the conversation. BRILL.
Racism has become a major political issue again, especially after public anger about police racism and the deaths of racialized minorities and Indigenous peoples. However, there is still confusion about what racism and systemic racism really mean, which creates a gap between how people talk about racism and how it is experienced in everyday life. The book Reckoning with Racism examines how our understanding of racism must change in response to new social realities and debates. It argues that racism is evolving and often connects with other forms of inequality, which makes exclusion and discrimination stronger. |
 Tuitt, F., Haynes, C., & Stewart, S. (Eds.). (2016). Race, equity, and the learning environment: The global relevance of critical and inclusive pedagogies in higher education. Taylor & Francis.
This book examines how higher education institutions can address systemic barriers that lead to unequal outcomes for racially and ethnically diverse students. It focuses on critical and inclusive pedagogies (CIP) and how they can improve teaching and learning in diverse classrooms. The contributors show that educators must recognize dominant ideologies and consider students’ different social, emotional, and cultural needs. By creating inclusive learning environments and valuing students’ diverse backgrounds, these approaches can support deeper learning and more equitable educational outcomes. |
 Arasaratnam-Smith, L. A., & Deardorff, D. K. (2022). Developing intercultural competence in higher education: International students’ stories and self-reflection. Taylor & Francis.
This book presents students’ reflections on their intercultural experiences while studying abroad. It uses the UNESCO Story Circle method to show how sharing and discussing personal stories can help develop intercultural competence. The narratives explore topics such as identity, stereotypes, cultural differences, and support networks. The book also provides questions and analyses to help readers reflect on these experiences and better support international students’ learning and wellbeing. |
 Fuller, P., Murphy, M., & Chow, A. (2020). The leader’s guide to unconscious bias: How to reframe bias, cultivate connection, and create high-performing teams. Simon & Schuster.
Unconscious bias affects everyone and can influence everyday decisions in the workplace, such as hiring choices or who is given the opportunity to speak. The authors explain that these biases come from mental shortcuts and personal preferences that people often do not notice. They show how these hidden assumptions can affect teamwork, fairness, and organizational success. They also provide practical tools and strategies to help managers recognize their biases and create a more inclusive and effective workplace. |
 Johnston, D. L. (2023). Empathy: Turning compassion into action. Signal.
Johnston explores why empathy is important in a world facing challenges such as the COVID-19 pandemic, political division, inequality, and climate change. Drawing on personal experiences Johnston explains how listening to and caring for others can create positive change in individuals, communities, and societies. He argues that when people use their influence to act with kindness, they can help build more just and supportive societies. He also offers practical steps for applying empathy to issues such as education, healthcare, immigration, and justice. |
AI was used to create the summaries above. Their accuracy has been checked.
