Ruqayyah Snyder
Racism against various ethnic or minority groups has existed in Australia since British colonisation. In recent times, a UN report has revealed the extent of systemic racism faced by people of African descent in Australia. The report highlights that people of African descent are exposed to multifaceted forms of racial discrimination, xenophobia, and systemic racism in all spheres of predominantly 'white' Australia. The report also underlines the harmful impacts of the legacies of British colonisation and the ''White Australia' policy on Black people of African descent living in contemporary Australia. While the Australian government has expressed its intent to address human rights concerns with a strengthened anti-racism framework, the country continues to grapple with the pervasive presence of racism in its society.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Racism against black people in Australia | Exists |
| History of racism in Australia | Since British colonisation |
| Groups affected by racism | Indigenous Australians, Africans and people of African descent, Asian Australians, Muslim Australians, Jewish Australians, Italian Australians, Irish Australians |
| Forms of racism | Racial discrimination, xenophobia, systemic racism, racial profiling, racist hate speech, racist bullying, indefinite detention, racialised arbitrary and subjective nature of the Migration Act, negative stereotyping, police brutality, segregation, racist immigration laws, internment camps |
| Australian government's response | Strengthened Anti-racism framework, establishment of the Parliamentary Joint Committee on Human Rights, work of the Australian Human Rights Commission |
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What You'll Learn
Racist attitudes towards Aboriginal people
Racism against various ethnic or minority groups has existed in Australia since British colonisation. Indigenous Australians, including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders, have been the longstanding targets of racist attitudes and discrimination. They have faced severe restrictions on their political, social, and economic freedoms, and have suffered genocide, forced removals, and massacres. Racist community attitudes towards Aboriginal people have been confirmed through surveys of Indigenous Australians and disclosures by non-Indigenous Australians.
A systematic literature review found evidence of negative attitudes, modern racism, and a range of factors associated with negativity towards Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. These factors include demographic, ideological, and individual differences, with personality traits of self-transcendence and anger linked to symbolic racism. Racism is a key determinant of the health disparities between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians, impacting their socioeconomic outcomes and wellbeing.
Historically, Aboriginal people were treated as inferior, with colonial government policies and public opinion reflecting this sentiment. Despite gaining Australian citizenship in 1948, they were not included in the population count until after the 1967 referendum. Racist government policies have continued in recent years, including the Northern Territory Intervention, cashless welfare cards targeted at Aboriginal communities, and the Community Development Program with disproportionate fines for Indigenous participants. Police raids on Palm Island in 2016 were also deemed to have breached the Racial Discrimination Act 1975 due to their "racist" and "disproportionate" nature.
Additionally, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples continue to face adversity, prejudice, and discrimination on their own land. They are often subjected to racist attitudes and behaviours that impact their health, opportunities, and sense of belonging. Modern African-Australians also experience discrimination and criminalisation, with a strong negative association between "Africanness" and criminality in Australian culture. Negative stereotypes and perceptions of Africans as uncivilised and associated with poverty persist in Australian society.
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Racial discrimination in schools
Racism against various ethnic or minority groups has existed in Australia since British colonisation. Indigenous Australians, including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, have been subjected to racist government policies and community attitudes for centuries. This has resulted in severe restrictions on their political, social, and economic freedoms, as well as genocide, forced removals, and massacres.
Today, racism in Australia persists in various forms, including racial discrimination in schools. Several reports and studies have highlighted the prevalence of racist violence and harassment in Australian educational institutions, with both students and parents from ethnic communities sharing their experiences. The Report of the National Inquiry into Racist Violence in Australia (1991) found that racist violence was an endemic problem for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, with racial discrimination permeating almost every aspect of their daily lives. Similarly, the Sticks and Stones report on violence in Australian schools (1994) and a study by Brennan (1998) also documented instances of racial harassment, verbal abuse, and bullying within schools, often perpetrated by students but sometimes facilitated or ignored by teachers.
School is the predominant location for racism among children, and the impact of such experiences can affect their learning, development, and achievement. African Australians, in particular, have reported racist bullying with no redress. Negative stereotypes and associations between "Africanness" and criminality, lack of civilisation, disease, dirt, war, and poverty persist in Australian culture, influencing how African Australians are perceived and treated.
Additionally, South Sudanese refugees in Australia have shared concerns about severe and pervasive racism in schools and communities, impacting their sense of belonging and opportunities. They have also reported high rates of incarceration, indefinite detention, mental health issues, and suicide. While formal complaints of racial discrimination in education may be scarce, this does not necessarily indicate a low incidence of racist activity. Limited knowledge of legislation, fear or reluctance to report racist incidents, and a preference for mediation over formal complaints may contribute to the underreporting of racial discrimination in schools.
To address racial discrimination in schools, Australia has seen the emergence of initiatives like All Together Now, which designs and conducts projects promoting racial equity on unceded Aboriginal land. Additionally, innovative programs like The School That Tried to End Racism aim to provide students with tools to identify racial bias and drive positive change. These efforts reflect a growing recognition of the need to focus on systemic issues that perpetuate racism in educational institutions.
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Racist immigration policies
Racism against various ethnic and minority groups has existed in Australia since British colonisation. Indigenous Australians, including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders, have faced severe restrictions on their political, social, and economic freedoms, and continue to face racist government policies and community attitudes.
Historically, Australia implemented a "White Australia" immigration policy, which was only dropped in 1973. This policy and its legacy continue to impact the experiences of people of African descent, who face racial profiling, slurs, abuse of authority, over-policing, targeting, and violence. South Sudanese refugees in Australia have reported high rates of incarceration, indefinite detention, mental health issues, and suicide. The use of indefinite detention under Section 501 of the Migration Act has been criticised by human rights experts as a violation of international law and a form of systemic racism.
Negative stereotypes and perceptions of African Australians persist in Australian culture, associating "Africanness" with a lack of civilisation, disease, dirt, war, and poverty. This has led to discrimination, criminalisation, and racialisation in their interactions with the majority society, and a strong negative association between Africanness and criminality. Media portrayals and political rhetoric have contributed to these stereotypes and negatively impacted migrant communities, making it difficult for new arrivals to feel welcomed and connected.
Racism in Australia extends beyond social attitudes and is entrenched in institutions such as the justice system, healthcare, and education. Indigenous Australians and people from culturally diverse backgrounds frequently experience racism and discrimination, limiting their access to opportunities and resources. Furthermore, racist incidents have been reported across various aspects of Australian society, including public transport, workplaces, and schools.
To address these issues, the Australian government has taken some steps, such as establishing the Parliamentary Joint Committee on Human Rights and working with the Australian Human Rights Commission. However, more needs to be done to confront systemic racism and ensure the inclusion and protection of all racial groups in the country.
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Racist media representation
Racism against various ethnic or minority groups has existed in Australia since British colonisation. The Indigenous peoples of Australia, including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders, have faced severe restrictions on their political, social, and economic freedoms, and have suffered genocide, forced removals, massacres, and discrimination. Other groups such as Europeans, Asians, Pacific Islanders, Middle Easterners, Latin Americans, and North Americans have also experienced discrimination and harassment.
Media representation plays a significant role in perpetuating racist stereotypes and attitudes in Australia. Negative stereotypes and assumptions about black Africans remain prominent in Australian media and culture. "Africanness" is often associated with a lack of civilisation, disease, dirt, war, and poverty, and this perception is rooted in racist assumptions about black people. The media's portrayal of issues such as the 'African Gangs' in Melbourne contributed to escalating racial abuse and police profiling of South Sudanese communities. This negative association between Africanness and criminality has tangible harmful impacts on migrant communities, hindering their ability to feel connected and welcomed within Australia.
In schools, African Australian children reported experiencing racism, cultural denial, and bullying by classmates and teachers, with their complaints often going unaddressed. The lack of positive representation and the prevalence of racist stereotypes in the media contribute to a sense of "no safe spaces" for African Australians to grow up and fully participate in Australian society. This is further exacerbated by the denial of Australia's racialised reality and the "othering" of people of African descent in public spaces.
The Australian media has also been criticised for its use of negative racial stereotypes and racist hate speech. Research has documented the experiences of African Australian students being exposed to racist bullying in schools, with no redress or support from authorities. The media's portrayal of refugees and new migrants can fuel prejudice and make it challenging for these groups to find housing, jobs, and a sense of belonging within their communities.
Additionally, during the COVID-19 pandemic, media representations contributed to a spike in anti-Asian racism, with the Australian Human Rights Commission receiving a high number of racial discrimination complaints. The media's role in perpetuating racist attitudes and stereotypes underscores the need for a shift towards more inclusive and positive representations of diverse cultural groups in Australia.
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Racist policing and incarceration
Racism against various ethnic or minority groups has existed in Australia since British colonisation. The Indigenous peoples of Australia, including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders, have faced severe restrictions on their political, social, and economic freedoms, and have suffered genocide, forced removals, massacres, and discrimination.
The racist foundations of policing and imprisonment in Australia have been exposed, particularly in relation to the treatment of First Nations people, who have been subjected to systemic racism, violence, and over-policing. First Nations people, including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities, have been consistently targeted and terrorised by police forces, with a history of deaths in custody and violence. For example, in 2016, police raids on Palm Island following a death in custody were found to be "racist" and "unnecessary, disproportionate", with police discriminating against the Aboriginal community.
Young First Nations males are over-represented in the juvenile justice system across all states and territories, due to racial profiling, surveillance, and over-policing. This has resulted in high incarceration rates, with First Nations people making up a significant proportion of the prison population. The documentary 'Incarceration Nation' highlights these issues, showcasing the systemic, colonial underpinnings of Australia's "justice" system and the need for an overhaul of policing and imprisonment practices.
In addition to the targeting of Indigenous Australians, other minority groups have faced similar issues. African Australians, for instance, face racial profiling, racial slurs, abuse of authority, over-policing, and targeting. South Sudanese Australians have reported high rates of incarceration and police intervention, with some claiming that police target them for harassment. This has been fuelled by media reporting and political rhetoric portraying "African gangs". Pasifika youths have also reported high levels of police intervention, indicating a pattern of racialised policing practices.
The Australian carceral system has been criticised for its colonial intent, contributing to the erasure of First Nations people. Despite calls for decarceration and community-based responses, state governments continue to prioritise carceral expansion and increased policing resources. This has been recognised as a serious breach of human rights, with First Nations communities advocating for systemic change and the prioritisation of community-based solutions.
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Frequently asked questions
Racism against various ethnic or minority groups has existed in Australia since British colonisation. A 2024 report by the Scanlon Foundation Research Institute found that people from Sub-Saharan Africa were significantly more likely to experience discrimination based on their ethnic origin, skin colour, or religion than those born in Australia. In addition, a UN report revealed the extent of systemic racism faced by people of African descent in Australia, with scholars noting that the perception of African Australians is rooted in racist and discriminatory assumptions.
Black people in Australia have faced racial profiling, racial slurs, abuse of authority, over-policing, targeting, and violence. In schools, African Australian children have reported being ostracised, bullied, and subjected to racial slurs by classmates and teachers, with their complaints often going unaddressed. In 2016, police raids on Palm Island that breached the Racial Discrimination Act 1975 resulted in a $30 million class action settlement, with the raids deemed "racist" and "unnecessary, disproportionate" as they targeted an Aboriginal community.
Racism has profound impacts on the mental health of black individuals in Australia. Experts have expressed concern about the mental health of African Australians, noting that the "othering" in public spaces and entrenched disadvantage contribute to an urgent need for culturally appropriate and trauma-informed care.
The media in Australia has been criticised for perpetuating negative stereotypes about refugees and new migrants, particularly during intense coverage of "African Gangs" in Melbourne, which resulted in escalating racial abuse and police profiling of South Sudanese communities. These media portrayals fuel prejudice and make it difficult for migrants to feel connected and welcomed within Australian society.
The Australian government has acknowledged the existence of racism and committed to addressing it. In 2020, the National Agreement on Closing the Gap recognised the "entrenched disadvantage and ongoing institutional racism" faced by Indigenous Australians. The government has also established bodies like the Parliamentary Joint Committee on Human Rights and continues to work with the Australian Human Rights Commission to protect the rights of people of African descent.
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