Students debate right to be racist

Ebony Mcliesh, Caitlyn Whitehead and Emma Sheridan

Is racism freedom of speech? That’s the question to be debated by close to 100 young people who will meet for a regional schools constitutional convention at Sunbury College this Friday.

The school will welcome students from Salesian College, Northcote and Coburg high schools and MacKillop College Werribee and Sunbury Downs, giving them a chance to express and defend their views.

Speakers at the conference, run by students and teachers at Sunbury College, will also include McEwen MP Rob Mitchell, author Demet Divaroren and Institute of Public Affairs editor Morgan Begg. Year 10 student Renee Latta, who will argue for the negative, says the event will be a valuable training ground for future leaders.

‘‘When people share a view with evidence that backs up what they are saying, it really makes you think.’’