This article discusses some of the findings of research undertaken by the authors with secondary students in the London Borough of Newham. The research was concerned with exploring young people's understanding of cultural harmony and their views on the issues and challenges in creating cultural harmony in their schools and in their lives outside of school. The research concludes that despite the efforts of teachers and schools the students are aware that conflict, including "racial" conflict, is often "lurking" under the surface of seemingly harmonious settings. One of the key issues for the students is the existence of strong peer pressure around style and the complex connections between style and racism. Finally it concludes that current expressions of the student voice, through, for example, school councils do not appear to be providing effective vehicles for tackling issues of cultural harmony and racism. (Contains 1 note.)