Lecture Notes: Addressing Racism in Australia

Acknowledgment and Introduction

• The lecture began with an acknowledgment of the Gadigal people of the Eora Nation, traditional custodians of the land where the University of Technology Sydney is located.
• Respect was extended to elders past, present, and emerging.
• Verity Firth, Executive Director of Social Justice at UTS, introduced herself and the event.
• The event was co-hosted with the Whitlam Institute at Western Sydney University and the University of Sydney.

Housekeeping

• The event is live-captioned; captions are available via a link in the chat.
• Audience questions can be submitted via the Q&A box in the Zoom control panel.

Key Discussion Themes

Institutional and Systemic Racism in Australia

• Indigenous Professor Aileen Morton-Robinson argues race is the organizing grammar of Australian society.
• Australian racism is rooted in stolen land; "unfinished business" of Indigenous sovereignty disturbs white sovereignty.
• The main question: How can we do better in addressing institutional and systemic racism?

The Collingwood Football Club Report

• The event title was inspired by a report on racism at Collingwood Football Club by Professor Lyndon Coombs and Distinguished Professor Larissa Behrendt.
• Types of racism identified:
  • Interpersonal: racial slurs, violence, exclusion
  • Structural and Cultural: entrenched forms harder to identify
• Observations:
  • Complaints handled defensively; focus on public perception over internal reflection.
  • Broader applicability to other institutions and sectors in Australia.

Upcoming Reports and Days

• The government's "Closing the Gap" report and the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination (Harmony Day in Australia) are upcoming.

Panel Discussion Highlights

Definitions and Manifestations of Racism

• Lyndon Coombs: Institutional racism includes systems and policies that fail to adequately identify and address racism.
• Players at Collingwood didn't know the consequences of racist actions but knew penalties for sports-related infractions.
• Valentine Mercurius: Racism is subtle, covert, and embedded within institutions.
• Experience in Ohio highlighted the pervasive nature of racism.
• Antoinette Lattouf: Fair go myth challenged by lack of minority representation in power structures in Australia.

Media's Role in Racism

• Media coverage influences public perception and response to racism.
• Representation in media affects the narrative; predominantly white voices contribute to biased reporting.

Cultural and Structural Change

• There is a need for proactive measures and candid conversations within organizations.
• Sports clubs like Collingwood serve as microcosms for broader societal issues.

Audience Questions and Responses

• Questions addressed incentives to tackle racism, education's role, and racism among people of color.
• Discussions on leadership diversity, accountability, and the role of safe spaces in addressing racism.

Closing Remarks

• Leanne Smith from the Whitlam Institute concluded the event.
• Reflecting on Australia's unsatisfactory progress in eliminating racial discrimination and its impact on international reputation.
• Quoted Gough Whitlam on the need for equality and non-discrimination.
• Encouraged ongoing conversations about racism and social change.

This lecture reviewed the systemic nature of racism in Australia, using examples from sports and media to highlight challenges and potential paths forward. It emphasized the importance of accountability, cultural change, and the need for effective leadership in fighting racism.