Racism Revisited: Abstracts
Abstracts will be added to this page as details are finalised.
Ms Hanifa Deen
Abstract: Living in the Shadow of Hostility: Australian Muslim Responses
Until the first Gulf War in 1991, anti-islamic prejudice did not occupy public space; for the most part such sentiments were not respectable. During this period our political leaders reacted swiftly to isolated episodes where buses were stoned and some Muslims abused and called traitor. Unions, churches, universities, human rights organisations and other institutions around Australia made clear unequivocal statements, in a united front, in defence of Muslims and Arabs. The bigots and tabloid media were told 'leave our Muslims and Arabs alone, they are Australians.' However, the world trade centre tragedy on 11 September 2001 and subsequent terrorist attacks marked a watershed in how Australian Muslims were perceived by their fellow citizens. Today everyone has an opinion about Muslims; language has changed and mindsets hardened. Muslims have graduated into 'a problem' with potential enemy status and the term 'islamophobia' is part of our lexicon. September 11 became a defining moment in the lives of Muslims and Arabs in Australia.
This presentation discusses how Australian Muslims are managing-or mismanaging-the fall out from this crisis; how they define their hybrid identities in a 'high temperature' era and the problems caused by social distance, traditional leadership and entrenched feelings of victimisation. The author suggests that many of the strategies used during the social justice and anti-racist movements of the 1980s are relevant in combating hate speech in the 21st century.
Professor Kevin M. Dunn - The University of Western Sydney
Abstract: Racism and Anglo privilege in Australia: acknowledgement, leadership and response
The denial of racism is a familiar hallmark of contemporary racism, for some scholars denial is a defining criteria of what has been called the New Racism. Data from the Challenging Racism Project provides a clear picture on the extent of public acknowledgement of racism and of Anglo cultural privilege. Encouragingly, most Australians recognise that racism is a problem in Australian society, although a little under half deny that there is Anglo cultural privilege. These levels of acknowledgement do not align with the position of most Australian political leaders, where denial is overwhelming. Confronting the official denial and downplaying of racism is a first order issue for the development of anti-racism policy. This requires political leadership. Victims of racism and their representative organisations have demanded positive leadership, and they have justifiably called for protection from vilification and attack. Leadership is needed nationally, as well as within local government, within workplaces, and in universities. A useful primary step would be a public campaign that acknowledges the seriousness of the issue of racism; as a structural cause of public disorder. Other forms of anti-racism, detailed in this paper, should then follow as part of a strategic policy approach to anti-racism.
Ms Jane Elliott
Abstract: The Collar in my Pocket
A one-hour presentation during which Elliott uses audience members and visual aids to help us to recognize, identify, and appreciate the differences on which power is assigned, and some of the ways in which we are conditioned to develop some of our perceptions.
Professor Andrew Jakubowicz - University of Technology Sydney
Abstract: Race, Media and Cultural Identities in Australia
In multiracial/polyethnic societies such as Australia, the media play a central role in the production, circulation and transformation of ideas about race.
The Australian media do a lot of "work" on race relations - firstly they ensure that there is very little presence of people of colour, what Canadians refer to as "visibly different" anywhere in the media landscape. Indeed if we want to discover where the daily media narrative delivers on Australia's cultural diversity, it's most likely to be in the news (where the issues are threats of violence or sports superstars) or in sporting coverage. Most of the visible difference on Australian television that entertains Australian audiences comes from the USA, the UK, or SBS. And this in a society that now has almost half the population either born overseas or with one parent born outside the country. So with half the population less than two generations "deep", and many of them from non-Caucasian backgrounds, why is diversity better represented on British TV (with a lower proportion visibly different) than in Australia?
When the "visibly different" are allowed in they tend to be shown as caricatures - Black Face on Hey hey it's Saturday; as sound and movement in advertising (eg the KFC kerfuffle); or as the Chinky Chinese cook in Buz Luhrmann's "Australia" (reminiscent in more ways than one of Charles Chauvel's 1940s "Luggers and Lovers") . There is considerable debate as to whether this situation has got better or stayed as abysmally poor as it was twenty years ago. Some commentators argue that the marginalisation of actors of colour etc. continues, with few parts being cast with a democratic and cosmopolitan eye.
Others point to second generation actors turning up as "Aussies" in TV soaps more regularly. Yet the situation that persists in Australia would never be allowed in the UK, Canada or the USA - or even NZ/ Aotorea. In those countries long-term lobbies maintain pressure on the major TV stations etc to ensure fair representation. Elsewhere it is recognised that the electronic media have some sort of responsibility to reflect the reality of the lives and issues in their societies.
So despite policies that promote diversity in agencies such as Screen Australia and the ABC, most Australians are entertained by programs that do not reflect the nation's cultural diversity. Strategies to engage with this problem (and its appalling social consequences of prejudice, ignorance and violence), need to encompass the ALP arts and culture policy, support for independent reviews of the media industry practices, and the building of lobby groups. Australian politics works on the basis of managing pressure groups - no pressure, no politics, no change.
Dr Shakira Hussein
Abstract: Muslim women in Australia: when racism reinforces misogyny (and vice versa...)
Muslim gender norms are frequently cited as "unAustralian", as incompatible with "our values", as displaying a reluctance to "fit in". Although cloaked as a concern for Muslim women and girls, such pseudo-feminism is often thinly disguised racism directed at Muslims in general. Muslim women have sought to repudiate such racism by highlighting Muslim female achievement and success. However, many women remain dissatisfed with gender norms within their own communities, even as they point out that the experience of gender-based oppression is neither universal among, nor particular to, Muslim women. Muslim women face a dilemna when "speaking out" about either racism or misogyny, since virtually anything they say may be appropriated by "the other side".
Paul Power
Abstract: Australian Attitudes to the Acceptance of Refugees
Australia has received more than 750,000 refugee and humanitarian entrants since Federation but Australians' awareness of, and support for, the nation’s role in receiving and resettling refugees has been undermined by 20 years of political and public division on aspects of refugee policy. In its recent national consultations (November-December 2009) with refugee and humanitarian entrants and services involved in settlement support, the Refugee Council of Australia (RCOA) sought views about how Australia’s Refugee and Humanitarian Program is being received by the wider Australian public and about attitudes towards recent arrivals. This presentation will outline RCOA's findings from this consultation process, also examining how attitudes to refugees and migrants have been reflected in opinion polls and making observations on the media's presentation of refugees and asylum seekers. Participants in RCOA's consultations also gave feedback on what needs to change to improve public understanding of refugee and humanitarian entrants. The presentation will outline community feedback on practical suggestions for change and the potential role for government, non-government agencies, the education sector, other organisations and interested individuals in promoting more balanced and realistic understandings of global refugee needs and the benefits to Australia of active involvement in refugee protection and resettlement.
Professor Sylvester J. Gates, Jr.
Abstract: Science & Race: From Darwin to Einstein
Darwin began discussion of evolution for earth's species and Einstein began the discussion of evolution of the Universe. In the last century science has undergone a largely unknown evolution with regard to the concept of the 'races' of humanity. Darwin, with his work, almost immediately understood its implication in this realm. Today using genomic archeology this implication is starkly exposed. Einstein, even without this scientific knowledge, had surpisingly modern views. A presentation of their views on the matter of 'race' will be presented.
Dr Casta Tungaraza
Abstract: African Women's Voices
Racial abuse such as that common in the school yards provoke fights and laws have been established where such incidents of old fashioned racism can be reported. The new racism does not require deeds or words to translate beliefs into harmful actions. Racism is dished out in such a way that one is made to feel unwanted, excluded, rejected, humiliated and inferior. Reporting racist incidents requires evidence, therefore this kind of racism is hard to challenge before the law.
Racism is manifested in a myriad ways, and it is all bad. The African Women’s Council of Western Australia meets every first Saturday of the month to discuss issues of importance to their community and develop strategies to deal with challenges. The Council has conducted pre-symposium consultation meetings and agreed that racism comes in different shapes and forms, however, if there is racism that is worth fighting, it is the institutionalized form.
Africans migrants are vulnerable to racism, racial discrimination and xenophobia in Australia and their rights are not appropriately protected. African migrants of refugee backgrounds are even more vulnerable to racism and in particular women, children and youth. We bring the voices of African peoples at the Symposium to share narratives and experiences with the aim to engage service providers, academic institutions, businesses, media, NGOs and government organizations to develop strategies to combat racism and establish lasting networks to implement these strategies.
African women have identified issues of concern and nominated panel members to present at this conference.
The panel will cover the following areas: Education, African parents’ perception of the Child Protection System, Sports, Law and Order, Media and communication, Integration, Housing, Employment, Neighbourhood Relations; Public Transport, Goods and Services and Health.
Panelists are Ms Ruth Sims and Mr Abeselom Nega. We encourage inter and intra community dialogue, reflection and constructive exchange on the issues of racism and develop forward looking strategies.
Listen, Reflect, Contribute to the Symposium Recommendations and Act.
Mr Shaun Brown
Abstract: Representation, Media and Social Harmony
Australia is at a media and multiculturalism crossroad. Satellite television and the internet offer access to content from around the world. But instead of building harmony, is the media contributing to the ghettoization of culture and ideas - allowing audiences to narrow their choices instead of broadening them? Is there a risk some Australians will cease involvement with Autralian media and institutions? Where in Australia do you find realistic portrayals of multicultural Australia? SBS presents recent audience research reflecting the thoughts and needs of contemporary Australians.
Ms Yvonne Henderson
Abstract: Tackling Racism through Substantive Equality
Focusing on systemic racism acknowledges that racism has become embedded, often unwittingly, in systems and routine practices, and recognises that a systemic response is required. Such systemic racism permeates society and the structures of officialdom, and as such challenges how equality of opportunity works in practice, now made specific in the statement "If you want to treat me equally, you may have to be prepared to treat me differently".
The Policy Framework for Substantive Equality presents a policy and methodology to assist major State Government Departments identify and address systemic barriers to service delivery, enabling them to move towards meeting the needs of diverse Indigenous and ethnic minority populations; in essence substantive equality.
The presentation will outline the methodology involved, particularly the Needs and Impact Assessment component. Examples will be highlighted together with findings, including current inadequacies which require a State response.
