DISCRIMINATION IN AUSTRALIA  1600w

RACISM, INDIGENOUS AUSTRALIANS, AUSTRALIA

Racism exists in Australia. This is a statement that most, if not all of you in this room believe is obvious. It is definitely indicated in this Report. However, it is not a truth that is readily acceptable by all Australians.

As part of the consultations for the National Anti-Racism Strategy, which was launched in August this year, I heard from many Australians about their experience of racism. How did racism make people feel? This is what some recounted:

It creates a divide. Australia is one country but it doesn’t feel like it.

It makes me feel less connected to Australia and the Australian community to the point where I find it difficult to identify as Australian.

It makes me feel awful. I feel so much revulsion that I sometimes feel physically ill. It is a major contributor to the anxiety I experience in everyday life.

I experience racism on an all too regular basis ... It is a tremendous psychological blow because it is something that I experienced from age 5 to now and I am often left feeling helpless and vulnerable for days afterwards.

It makes me feel like I am a lesser human being.