The Moveable Feast – Australia and race hate as experienced in the lifetime as an observer
Speech given by Thomas Keneally AO at the 5th Annual Kep Enderby Memorial Lecture
19 October 2019
Racism
Free thinking?
Many say freedom of expression means nothing if it doesn’t entail a freedom to offend others. Enjoying such freedom means that you may also have to tolerate hurtful or distasteful speech. But what if the burden of tolerance is not borne equally? What if some forms of speech wound not merely sensibilities but also another person’s dignity? How should a liberal democracy treat forms of speech that degrade others because of their race?
Why is racism a problem?
"If I wasn't hearing bad things about myself, I wouldn't think "oh, I'm a bad person, I can't do this, I am not going to do it". Whereas if no one said anything bad about me, I would push myself harder into doing things and knowing that I can do it, no matter what happens I will do it … but I just can't."
- Ekta, 15
- Ekta, 15
Racism can cause a lot of damage to both individuals and communities.
Where does racism happen?
Learn about how racism exists in all areas of our society, including workplaces, schools and the wider community and what you can do to prevent it.
Who experiences racism?
Many people experience racist behaviour.
The Challenging Racism Project has found that 20 per cent of Australians surveyed had experienced racial discrimination in the form of race hate talk, and about 5 per cent had been attacked because of their race.
Why are people racist?
"Why do people continue to be racist after so many articles, videos and talks about how racism is dumb?"
- Will, 15
- Will, 15
It's a question that people ask all the time. If we're all part of the human race, why are people racist? After all, there are no biological differences between people. No race is superior or inferior to another. We're all the same.
There are many reasons why people can have racist attitudes.
National Anti-Racism Strategy and Racism. It Stops with Me Campaign
The National Anti-Racism Strategy was launched in Melbourne on 24 August 2012. Racism. It Stops With Me is a campaign which invites all Australians to reflect on what they can do to counter racism wherever it happens.
