Adelaide Community Consultation Report
Racism and civil society: A community consultation held at the German Club, Adelaide SA, on 29 June 2001
Speakers:
- Linda Matthews,
Deputy Commissioner, SA Equal Opportunity Commission
- Dr William Jonas,
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Justice Commissioner and
Acting Race Discrimination Commissioner, HREOC
- Dr Tony Cocchiaro,
Chair, SA Multicultural and Ethnic Affairs Commission
- Michael Schultz, President, Multicultural Communities Council
Theme 2: Victims of racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance.
Theme 1: Sources, causes, forms and contemporary manifestations of racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance.
The delegates agreed that racism exists in their region as it does at the national level. It is equally likely to exist in rural and remote areas as it is in the cities.
Racism is seen as pervasive. At times it is subtle and other times overt. It was maintained that sometimes racism is difficult to identify however it still exists and can be uncovered. The workshop participants also raised the need to exercise caution in labelling something as racist, as overuse of the term leads to it being less effective and easily dismissed.
There was a view that the situation is now better than it was 30 years ago while others maintained that they now felt the impact of racism more than they did 40 years ago.
Society's acceptance of racism is less than it used to be. The delegates agreed that people were also now more skilled at hiding racist attitudes and actions and that racism was still common in everyday life. Perpetrators of racism have become clever and tricky in their use of discriminatory practices.
The workshops noted that even with anti-racism education campaigns some people appeared untouched. Examples were given of talk back radio listeners (and presenters in some cases) and general discussions in pubs.
The workshops identified that racism existed in all areas of society including housing, employment and the provision of goods and services.
An example was raised of an Indigenous couple who applied for a business development loan from a bank to purchase a well-established and long-term profitable delicatessen. They claimed that the bank rejected their application on its assessment that the local community would not continue to patronise the delicatessen if Indigenous people operated it. This case exemplified the clear racism that still exists in the area of economic development and access to resources for Indigenous peoples.
It was claimed by some of the participants that the decision in the High Court on the Hindmarsh Island Case (1998) was a blatant form of institutionalised racism. Participants claimed it completely disregarded the local Aboriginal people's right to religious and cultural beliefs, in absolute contradiction to section 116 of the Australian Constitution. The decision also established that section 51 (xxvi) of the Constitution could be used to make discriminatory laws against Aboriginal people. In fact the Federal Government had argued before the High Court that s 51 allows for discriminatory as well as favourable laws to be passed on the basis of race.
In hotels and restaurants it was not uncommon for Indigenous people to be refused service or to be treated differently from non-Indigenous patrons.
Participants claimed that first and second-generation migrants experienced racism in different ways. Some first generation migrants and refugees, whose English may not be fluent, experience discrimination and intolerance practiced by all sectors of society, simply because of their poor English skills. In the area of employment it was noted that people of non-English speaking background are denied opportunities due to a "lower" level of literacy skills.
Furthermore, first generation migrants are more likely to engage in traditional cultural practices, and it is these practices (food, dress, religion) which makes people stand out as 'different'. There are those in the community who feel threatened (xenophobic) by this difference, and use this difference as a reason to discriminate and abuse.
Within the criminal justice system the use of descriptors to identify suspects was seen as discriminatory and reinforcing of stereotypes.
The education system was identified as a key area where racism was present and led to long-term discrimination. Indigenous peoples and women have less access to the education system because the system itself is based on culturally inappropriate models. The structural barriers to education have an economic impact in that people are unable to fulfil their potential, therefore they cannot utilise their skills and thus have restricted employment opportunities. Education was also identified as a key element in the fight against racism. This is dealt with more extensively in response to question 6.
One participant who worked in the health sector told of how people with poor English language skills would be referred to psychiatry simply because they were unable to convey to doctors what was the matter. In turn they were unable to understand what the doctor was telling them and as they appear distressed (simply because of lack of communication) it was assumed they were suffering a mental illness.
Other experiences of racism included:
- The questioning
of one's identity - if you are not of Anglo-Saxon background you are
regularly asked where do you come from as if you are not Australian
or do not fit the mould of the "typical Australian"
- The constant stereotyping
through the media and education sector based on racial background. This
is particularly the case for Indigenous peoples.
- Statements such as "They are taking away our jobs" demonstrate how xenophobia is expressed in response to economic uncertainty.
The key issue identified by the workshop participants was that of power and how racism was used as a means of depriving people or groups of the opportunity to fully participate and prosper in society.
Another major area of concern was that of the institutional nature of racism. It can be seen in the mono-cultural nature of institutions, laws and practices. Examples in areas such as health, the legal system and education were cited. The delegates noted however that no one group has a monopoly on being racist.
The participants noted that issues such as a fear of cultural difference, ignorance of other cultures and the impact of publicly constructed perceptions of race and difference all contributed to manifestations of racism. These were compounded by the lack of celebration of common humanity, which we all share.
Delegates maintained that the denial of our racist past and the continued consequences of colonialism, which is reinforced by the unaddressed sense of guilt that many have in regard to our past, is a significant cause of racism in Australia.
The media was identified as a cause of racism in the way it stereotyped particular racial, religious and ethnic groups. The example of the portrayal of Serbs as the "enemy" was seen as a case in point.
A number of the delegates made the observation that there was no racism in children and therefore racism was learnt/taught and parents are obviously involved in "teaching" their children racism.
In considering various examples some of the participants looked at the situation in the former Yugoslavia and how racial hatred was caused by nationalism and religious dogmatism. The example was given as a way of identifying the important role that every sector in society, including churches, business and community groups has in combating racism.
Delegates identified the policy of multiculturalism as generally having a positive impact in addressing racism in Australia. However, it was clear that there was a lack of substance in the policy for dealing with the structural issues that blocked people from fully participating in society.
Some participants agreed that during the 1980's things were being achieved and funding to various groups and organisations was relatively adequate. Advances were being made areas of Aboriginal Land Rights and multiculturalism, but the forward movement stopped during the 1990's and in fact in some areas, like Native Title, have gone backwards.
Participants discussed the dismantling of the Indigenous language interpreter service as well as the abolition of the Indigenous bi-lingual education programs.
Theme 2: Victims of racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance.
Indigenous people were identified by all delegates as victims as were people who were "visibly different" from the "typical Australia" - whatever that is.
A number of the participants noted that there were victims of racism between Serbians and people from other former Yugoslav republics given the increased hatred among these communities caused by nationalism and religious dogmatism in their countries of origin.
The participants maintained that it was difficult to understand the impact of racism if you have not experienced it yourself.
Racism makes individuals feel as if they are not treated as humans and that they are not listened to in society. The individuals feel hurt and withdraw from society.
Delegates held the view that communities subjected to racism developed a view that they were not competing on a level playing field and thus were second-class members of society.
Society in general needs to acknowledge the validity of the experience of all people and communities who have been and are subjected to racism.
A number of participants discussed the difficulties women of non-English speaking background confront as additional issues because they are less likely to obtain educational qualifications and thus have fewer employment opportunities.
A number of delegates maintained that the perception that many "ethnic and Indigenous" cultures are male dominated - even though this may not be the case - may lead to a differential impact of racism on women.
It was recognised that people with a disability confronted additional issues.
Some participants raised how the perceived different responses of males and females to racism, such as males being more aggressive, was an issue. They did not agree with this perception and maintained that it led to women being treated differently and more susceptible to violent racially motivated attacks.
It was suggested that youth from Middle Eastern, African or Asian backgrounds often have to deal with hostility from others in the community, as there is a racist assumption that these are the children of refugees. This animosity towards refugees often extends to members of the general community.
Theme 3: Measures of prevention, education and protection aimed at the eradication of racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance at the national, regional and international levels.
There was a broad and lengthy discussion about education and the need to incorporate cultural diversity and to recognise Indigenous culture and history as a core characteristic of all curricula. It is necessary to overcome the "elective" or "add on" approach, which has been the dominant approach to date.
A number of participants observed that the individual culture of a school should not be reliant upon the type of leadership given by the principal or school committees, although this is often the case. This is not necessarily a bad thing if the principal is progressive and sensitive to the needs of the students, but if the principal lacks vision or is apathetic to developing cultural awareness within the school, it can have disastrous consequences for students.
The Partnerships 21 program was cited as an example where the principal of the school was actually handed more power, even though the idea of the program is to place more power into the hands of the parents. The program was accused of being value laden, as its framework is culturally specific, thereby excluding other cultures, especially Aboriginal culture.
Concern was also expressed over the Australian Council of Education Research intelligence testing. One of the examples given was the question, "With the umbrella Mary Poppins flew…..?" This question assumes children have read and are familiar with Mary Poppins.
There was general concern and acknowledgement that often people who are disadvantaged do not read and write well. Therefore one strategy should be a concerted and ongoing literacy program to be introduced in schools and in adult education.
Participants also criticised government policy, which allows concentrated mass media ownership which in turn leads to the promulgation of certain values and points of view, which are in turn assimilated by the viewing public.
A robust discussion took place about the media and how it has to improve its approach to reporting and portraying people from backgrounds other than Anglo-Celtic. However it was acknowledged there was a small section of the media attempting to do a good job. The example was given of how in the 1980's the arrival by boat of refugees from Vietnam and Cambodia was propagated in the Australian media as the 'Asian Invasion'. Although the language is not much better when considering the media's approach to current refugees and asylum seekers, there is a small section of the media attempting to give a fair and sympathetic account of today's refugees and asylum seekers. This sector was practically non-existent during the 1980's.
In the 1990's when Pauline Hanson and her One Nation Party were hitting the headlines, most media were critical of her and would not allow her to get away with racist language or discriminatory remarks. (Although some participants thought that this has something to do with how the media treats women in politics rather than them adopting any ideological stance on anti-racism.)
Acknowledgement and celebration
Participants were of the view that Australia does not acknowledge and celebrate the contributions of minority groups and Indigenous peoples very well, and what is celebrated is either token or limited to the actual nationality of community being celebrated. An example was given that one Christmas a few years ago, a well known TV presenter, a Greek woman, was asked to do a spot in a Christmas special and cook a Christmas dinner. Although her traditional Christmas meal would have consisted of traditional Greek dishes, she cooked a typically Anglo Christmas dish of a turkey and plum pudding. Upon being asked by a colleague why she did not cook what her family would have had on Christmas Day i.e. traditional Greek dishes, she replied that she just assumed this is what was expected of her and she realised that a fantastic opportunity to incorporate diversity had been lost. This story was told as an example that the media has a powerful role in showing diversity and rarely does it do so. One participant observed however that, "Multiculturalism is not a remedy for racism!"
While the government and some other sections of the community spend millions of dollars on celebrating the Centenary of Federation this year, there is another section of our community that feels alienated and excluded from these celebrations. Federation is not an event that Australia's Indigenous people feel proud about. They were excluded from any debate on the matter and were not considered, except to exclude them from the Constitution. There is a continuing debate over whether the Australian Constitution should acknowledge the first Australians, be it contained in an expressed rights provision or in a preamble.
Theme 4: Provision of effective remedies, recourse, redress, [compensatory] [1] and other measures at the national, regional and international levels.
There was general agreement that individuals need to name and call racism when they see it. Individuals need to confront racist behaviour and language, for example, by saying: "I am offended by that remark", "That is a racist remark, do you understand what you are saying?", "No I don't think that joke is funny, and no I can't take a joke when it offends me."
Participants spoke of a need to harness the energy of the community, as there are many people who wish they could say something or do something about racism, but do not feel supported by their fellow citizens.
A massive ongoing public education campaign, it was suggested, could be one way of placing these messages of zero tolerance for racism into the public consciousness.
The Racial Discrimination
Act 1975 needs to be revisited. One recommendation was that if "on
behalf of" complaints could be made then this may give access to
aggrieved individuals who may not feel confident of making a complaint
on their own. There should be provision for group complaints.
One participant suggested that if one group from the community approached
another group, like a business or other professional organisation, to
join in a reconciliation march or a cultural event, then in all likelihood
the invited group would participate.
In other words, if we take the time to approach and invite, to include and make feel welcome groups previously excluded, then we may develop the critical mass we seek.
Theme 5: Strategies to achieve full and effective equality, including international cooperation and enhancement of the United Nations and other international mechanisms in combating racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance, and follow-up.
One observer posed the question. "Who does racism serve? Who gains from racism?" This question lead to a discussion (and more questions) on globalisation and how multinational corporations have a duty of care to the communities they operate in. One participant noted that the community is global and how, therefore, does a company carry out a duty of care globally? Who develops such a Code of Conduct. How do we get companies to agree to abide or adopt the Code of Conduct? Who monitors this and what penalties can be put into place for those companies that breach the code of conduct?
- Introduction
of a Bill of Rights.
- Development of
a Treaty with Indigenous Australians.
- Amend Race Powers
provision in section 51 of the Australian Constitution.
- Full acknowledgement
of the past injustices perpetrated towards Australian Indigenous people
and a government apology.
- Recognition in
the Constitution of Indigenous people as Australia's traditional owners
and original inhabitants.
- Compel government
to submit periodic reports to UN Committees in a timely manner.
- HREOC and SAEOC
should develop strategies to encourage, support and resource community
organisations in the attempt to combat racism.
- Multinational
companies should adopt a Code of Conduct to ensure commitment to social
justice and human rights.
- Australia must
ratify the Optional Protocol for CEDAW.
- That as the national
broadcasters, the ABC and SBS receive adequate funding through an independent
process and that any funding decisions are taken out of the hands of
the government. Further that any appointment to these bodies be an elected
position and not subject to political appointment.
- Revision of discrimination
laws and related complaints systems.
- Funding be provided for adequate translation and interpreter services.
1. Note: The word compensatory was in brackets as there was no consensus among governments to include it under this theme.
