Resources

Resources for understanding and fighting racism in Australia

The rise of anti-Asian sentiment and violence has been prominently thrusted into the spotlight because of recent violent attacks in the United States. In Australia, anti-Asian hostility has always existed. In a 2018 report, the Conversation concluded that Asian Australians had much higher rates of racism and discrimination across a variety of everyday settings. Due to various factors in 2020 and 2021, this sentiment has exponentially increased in public opinion. We at AAP, have complied a short list of resources for understanding and fighting racism in Australia for allies and People of Colour (POC). While this is not a complete list of all the resources available, we hope this will give you somewhere to start.

For everyone:

Hue – Colour the Conversation

Hue is a social justice organisation that aims to provide training, such as workshops and consultations, that challenge systems of oppression that impact people of colour in Australia. They run anti-racism workshops about allyship, inclusive feminist spaces, deconstructing whiteness, and power and resilience. They also have a list of resources which include books, organisations and online resources.

Australian Government – Racism stops with me

Racism stops with me is a campaign run by the Australian Government in conjunction with the Australian Human Rights Commission. This includes resources about how to be a good ally and resources for organisations, teachers and supporters. More importantly they have information and what to do for bystander intervention. VicHealth has elaborated further on bystander intervention.

I Am Not A Virus – Diversity Arts Australia

This is a campaign run by Diversity Arts Australia aims to bring Asian Australian creatives together to stamp out discrimination and the notion that Asians have been ‘spreading the virus’. These creatives aim to start conversations about discrimination, violence, and aggression through mediums of visual arts, poetry, writing, performance, screen, audio-music, other forms of medium.

National Anti-Racism Framework – Australian Human Rights Commission

The Federal Government has commissioned an Anti-Racism Framework in light of the events in the last few years in relation to racist events and broader civil rights movements. At the moment, there is no overarching commitments or legal frameworks that the Federal Government is accountable to, therefore the creation of this framework intends to bridge the gap of racial inequity and understand systems and structures of oppression. The Commission is accepting submissions from the public until the 15th of December 2021. Read the concept paper here.

For allies:

Anti-racism Australia resources for White people 

An extensive list of resources ranging from books to people to hashtags on how white people can be greater allies to POC and fight racism within their own spheres of influence.

Understanding this wheel – power wheel of privilege

The closer you are to the centre, the more privileged you are. Understanding this wheel, can help understand how intersectionality plays an important part in how we access services and support. This can also help understand how structural barriers exist for vulnerable and marginalised individuals and communities.

Racism. No Way – NSW Department of Education

‘Racism. No Way’ is a resource based website in which educators and schools (Primary and Secondary) can look for resources to teach kids about racism. This project was first created in 2000 in collaboration with Government State and Territory Schools and the Commonwealth Department of Education. Resources are sorted by year level, age and topics. They also have resources on bystander intervention and how to facilitate cultural exchange. They also have excellent and thorough explanations on issues such as ‘institutional bias’ and ‘white privilege’, and discussing legal frameworks such as Australia’s responsibilities to the international law frameworks (International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms Racial Discrimination).

For POC:

Democracy in Colour

Democracy in Colour is a national racial and economic justice organisation led by people of colour. They run welcome calls and campaigns for advocacy and invite people of colour to be directly involved with the fight against racism.

Being Asian Australian

Being Asian Australian is an online news project run under the Asian Australian Alliance. They report on news relating to Asian Australian from incidents of racism to celebrating achievements of Asian Australians. They also have a vast catalogue of opinion and analytical pieces.

Reporting and legal platforms:

Australian Human Rights Commission

The Australian Human Rights Commission has collected an extensive and non-exhaustive list of services ranging from mental health to anti-discrimination monitoring bodies that can be assessed from their website. They also have a complaints mechanism for racism and other forms of discrimination. They also have these complaint processes translated in different languages.

All Together Now – reporting racism

All Together Now is a not for profit which has compiled an easily accessible and user-friendly guide on how to report racism, this includes information compiled from different States and Territories and how to use these mechanisms. These mechanisms include reporting to police and other relevant authorities.

AMERA International Pro Bono Directory

Formerly known as the African and Middle East Refugee Assistance, AMERA, has collated a list of pro bono services for refugees, asylum seekers and/or migrants who wish to seek legal advice and services. They have listed services available nationally and States and Territories. They have also listed relevant contact information.

Being Asian Australian – COVID 19 Racism Incident Report

This reporting mechanism was created by activist and writer Erin Chew, ‘Being Asian Australian’, and the Asian Australian Alliance. Together, they have put together a comprehensive survey where you can report incidents of racism. Information is kept confidential and you can use an alias, if you feel uncomfortable with using personal information. This survey is available in English, Mandarin (simplified and traditional), and Korean.

For support:

For context:

Read more about what is happening in the US and around the globe:

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