When is Australia racist? Questions of difference and fairness

Australian racism is a slippery thing. We’ve seen it (at the football, on a bus with a singing French tourist, in select policies of successive governments, at anti-something protests). We know it exists. But as a nation – a deeply multicultural one, arguably defined by migration – we haven’t progressed to a realistic understanding of who we are, what that means and what we thus expect of ourselves and each other.

The panel: Benjamin Law, Voranai Vanijaka, Nakkiah Lui, Gregory Phillips and Abdul AbdullahWhen is Australia racist? Questions of difference and fairnessWatch

Watch the video of this conversation

How do we distinguish our ideals from the real world? Is mainstream Australian – whatever that means – capable of living up to its own myths? Let’s not let subcultures off the hook, either. What draws our meanest impulses out of hiding? When do we laugh about our differences … and when do they come to define us?

With artist Abdul Abdullah, writer and comedian Nakkiah Lui, Aboriginal health expert Gregory Phillips, journalist and political commentator Voranai Vanijaka and Gaysia author Benjamin Law, we’ll explore Australian equality on a number of fronts: representation, social support, sex and decision-making. Our panellists consider what it might take to achieve a culture that reflects a true picture of Australia back to itself – and what we’d be losing if we didn’t.

Your reactions

@wheelercentre is #askinterrobang panel sess When Is Australia Racist? pic.twitter.com/WdwBhDfkik— Melissa O'Donovan (@SoulGroundau) November 28, 2015

Does Australia market and export an image of 'us' as Multicultural and more than just a white image #askinterrobang— Monique Toohey (@MoniqueToohey) November 28, 2015

Greg Phillips crystal clear on Aust not dealing with colonisational genocide & the legacy that hangs in power strictures #askinterrobang— Kristin Alford (@kristinalford) November 28, 2015

@MoniqueToohey Who is the We? Who is the You?That was never defined in the session.— Melissa O'Donovan (@SoulGroundau) November 28, 2015

@SoulGroundau@stephharmon No, in regards to my Aboriginality— Nakkiah Lui (@nakkiahlui) November 28, 2015

"I've never felt Australian" - @nakkiahlui. Perhaps Aboriginal... but that is a white construct, doesn't represent culture #askinterrobang— Kristin Alford (@kristinalford) November 28, 2015

It's false to say everyone is racist - Greg Phillips. Lots of cultures are accepting of difference, it comes down to values #askinterrobang— Kristin Alford (@kristinalford) November 28, 2015

Racism is structural. Ethnocentrism is what need to be mindful of and overcome. Identify the dynamic & call it out #askinterrobang— Monique Toohey (@MoniqueToohey) November 28, 2015

'There is no such thing as reverse #racism. Reverse racism presumes there is egalitarianism.' @gregoryabstarr#askinterrobang— The Interrobang (@askinterrobang) November 28, 2015

Whiteness: cultural blindness to see ones own advantage & benefit in society #askinterrobang#noroomforracism— Monique Toohey (@MoniqueToohey) November 28, 2015

@stephharmon@askinterrobang@voranai#askinterrobang How is that reverse? Reverse would be beating up yourself because of someone's race— Paul (@paulkoan) November 28, 2015

Strands of industrialisation & capitalism are inseparable from racism in this discussion - they shapes resources & values.

#askinterrobang— Kristin Alford (@kristinalford) November 28, 2015

Cultural intelligence is needed to improve intercultural relations social cohesion, health & education outcomes & innovation #askinterrobang— Monique Toohey (@MoniqueToohey) November 28, 2015

'When is it racism and when is it white supremacy?' @nakkiahlui asks at #askinterrobang— BitterSweet (@spoonfulofthyme) November 28, 2015

Can cultures with strong social and environmental consciences also be racist? #askinterrobang— Ayan Dasvarma (@amravsad) November 28, 2015

Where can we create spaces for intercultural interaction & can we make it mandatory for politicians to be residents there? #askinterrobang— Monique Toohey (@MoniqueToohey) November 28, 2015

How do u unpackage urself from ur racial and/or cultural personal identity? By continuing to use the national/racial label? #askinterrobang— Melissa O'Donovan (@SoulGroundau) November 28, 2015

'Australia is not a multicultural country - it has many ethnic groups.' Greg Phillips #askinterrobang— BitterSweet (@spoonfulofthyme) November 28, 2015

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Support the Wheeler Centre: https://www.wheelercentre.com/support-us/donate

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.