[img_inline align=”right” src=”http://padnws01.mcmaster.ca/images/Hoops-Against-Hate.jpg” caption=”Local high school students visited McMaster to attend Hoops Agaisnt Hate: Faces of Racism. Photo by Matt Terry. “]Two thousand local high school students came together today at McMaster to rally against one of the worst forms of bullying: racism.

Hoops Against Hate: Faces of Racism brought in former Hamilton Tiger-Cat Orlando Bowen and retired McMaster professor Gary Warner to speak to students about the dangers of racism.

Tracy Vaillancourt, adjunct professor in the Department of Psychology, Neuroscience & Behaviour, says that many Canadians do not recognize their actions as being racist.

“Many people believe they aren't racist because they don't make overtly racist statements,” she says. “But they still engage in behaviours like stereotyping and other forms of covert racism. Canadians have made great strides in reducing overt racist behavior, but racist attitudes still exist.”

Gary Warner, retired peace and international development professor, agrees.

“Racism is far more common than is generally acknowledged,” he says. “Modern racism includes the denial that racism exists and claims of reverse discrimination, among a host of other things.”

Beginning with a warm-up led by motivational speaker and basketball trickster Q-Mack, students will hear from a number of speakers emphasizing the need for more inclusivity in society. They will also be introduced to the Hamilton Police Services Community Youth Officers.

Warner says his ultimate goal is to get students to take personal responsibility for understanding and combating racism and exclusion, and to embrace inclusion in their personal lives.

Hoops Against Hate: Faces of Racism capped off with a showcasing of the McMaster Marauders basketball team in action against Bishops University.

Hoops Against Hate: Faces of Racism is sponsored by Mac CURA (Hamilton's Community-University Research Alliance for the Prevention of Bullying), Hamilton Police Services and the McMaster Marauders.