Confronting Racism in Confronting Racism in Communities ProjectCommunities Project

Implications for Action on Implications for Action on

Anti-RacismAnti-Racism

David HollinsworthDavid Hollinsworth

Overview of the Final Report Overview of the Final Report findings and Implicationsfindings and Implications

About the Confronting Racism in Communities ProjectAbout the Confronting Racism in Communities Project Project MethodologyProject Methodology Project Findings: Racist IncidentsProject Findings: Racist Incidents Discussion and analysisDiscussion and analysis How to Identify Racism from IncidentsHow to Identify Racism from Incidents Gaps in StrategiesGaps in Strategies What works (and what doesn’t)What works (and what doesn’t) How to respond to exclusion in our organizationsHow to respond to exclusion in our organizations How to support and assist workers in countering racismHow to support and assist workers in countering racism Racialization and the role of politics and the mediaRacialization and the role of politics and the media Conclusion and future directionsConclusion and future directions

What is the Confronting Racism What is the Confronting Racism in Communities Project?in Communities Project?

The project aims to address the variety of The project aims to address the variety of racisms experienced by culturally and racisms experienced by culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) communities linguistically diverse (CALD) communities in Queenslandin Queensland..

What is the Confronting Racism What is the Confronting Racism in Communities Project?in Communities Project?

Project consortium lead by Centre forProject consortium lead by Centre for

Multicultural Pastoral CareMulticultural Pastoral Care Three-year pilot project extended to fourThree-year pilot project extended to four State-wideState-wide Funded by Multicultural Affairs QldFunded by Multicultural Affairs Qld Reference CommitteeReference Committee

Project ObjectivesProject Objectives

1.1. Provide support, training and resources to the Provide support, training and resources to the community sector in order to combat racism.community sector in order to combat racism.

2.2. Work with communities to document the nature Work with communities to document the nature and extent of racism in Queensland and provide and extent of racism in Queensland and provide regular reporting on incidents across the state.regular reporting on incidents across the state.

Why Anti-Racism Training?Why Anti-Racism Training?

Developed Racism Training Needs Survey Developed Racism Training Needs Survey focusing on workers’ experience with racism and focusing on workers’ experience with racism and on their training needs.on their training needs.

Completed by 50 individuals from multicultural, Completed by 50 individuals from multicultural, mainstream and government agencies in mainstream and government agencies in metropolitan and regional Queensland.metropolitan and regional Queensland.

Produced Racism Training Strengths & Needs Produced Racism Training Strengths & Needs Analysis.Analysis.

Key Findings of needs surveyKey Findings of needs survey 72% of respondents felt issues of racism were “very 72% of respondents felt issues of racism were “very

relevant” to their work, while 16% of respondents felt relevant” to their work, while 16% of respondents felt issues of racism were “somewhat relevant” to their work.issues of racism were “somewhat relevant” to their work.

26% of respondents reported they were “not very well 26% of respondents reported they were “not very well equipped/skilled” to support clients who had experienced equipped/skilled” to support clients who had experienced racism, while 8% reported they were “not at all racism, while 8% reported they were “not at all equipped/skilled”.equipped/skilled”.

34% of respondents said they had previously 34% of respondents said they had previously participated in anti-racism training. BUT…..participated in anti-racism training. BUT…..

Key FindingsKey Findings

8% of respondents said their organisation had funds 8% of respondents said their organisation had funds allocated for anti-racism training.allocated for anti-racism training.

Respondents said they would find the following training Respondents said they would find the following training options beneficial:options beneficial:

- Community development responses to racism- Community development responses to racism

- Supporting people who have experienced racism- Supporting people who have experienced racism

- Identifying racism- Identifying racism

- Racism in the workforce- Racism in the workforce

- Working with the media- Working with the media

Why we need to collect Data Why we need to collect Data on Racism in Communities?on Racism in Communities?

To help us better understand & respond to the To help us better understand & respond to the needs of people from CALD backgrounds.needs of people from CALD backgrounds.

So we can demonstrate that racism is a So we can demonstrate that racism is a significant issue that needs to be addressed in significant issue that needs to be addressed in the face of government denial.the face of government denial.

Because there is currently very little data on Because there is currently very little data on racism in Queensland.racism in Queensland.

To highlight the diversity of geography of racism; To highlight the diversity of geography of racism; different places, forms and targets.different places, forms and targets.

How was Data on Racism How was Data on Racism Collected?Collected?

Racist Incident Reporting FormRacist Incident Reporting Form

70 Data Collection Points throughout Queensland70 Data Collection Points throughout Queensland

Bi-annual reports on the nature and extent of racism in Bi-annual reports on the nature and extent of racism in QueenslandQueensland

Reports highlight general trends - they do not disclose Reports highlight general trends - they do not disclose identifying informationidentifying information

Indigenous reports not asked for as directive from MAQIndigenous reports not asked for as directive from MAQ

Findings: how many and Findings: how many and where?where?

398 racist incidents reported between 398 racist incidents reported between

January 2006 to December 2007January 2006 to December 2007

37% occurred in Brisbane region; 15% in 37% occurred in Brisbane region; 15% in Logan; 13% Gold Coast; 11% Sunshine Logan; 13% Gold Coast; 11% Sunshine Coast; 7% Toowoomba; 5% Cairns; 4% Coast; 7% Toowoomba; 5% Cairns; 4% Townsville; 3.5% Mackay; 2% Wide Bay Townsville; 3.5% Mackay; 2% Wide Bay and Rockhampton. and Rockhampton.

Findings: who was targeted?Findings: who was targeted?

India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh 16.6% (66)

China, Taiwan, Hong Kong 13.0% (53)

Other Asian 6.8% (27)

Sudan 9.8% (39)

Other African 10.8% (43)

Arabic Speaking 7.8% (31)

Other Middle East, Near East 4.5% (18)

Pacific Islander 6.0% (24)

Latin America 3.8% (15)

European 5.0% (20)

Anglo Australian (Muslim, Buddhist, other) 4.3% (17)

Indigenous** 1.5% (6)

Not Specified 9.8% (39)

Total 100% (398)

Findings: types of incidentFindings: types of incident

Physical violence 17%

Threat of physical violence 6%

Property damage 4.5%

Verbal harassment 49%

Non-verbal harassment 10%

Written harassment 3%

Racist graffiti 5.5%

Offensive media content 3.5%

Social exclusion 9%

Discrimination 39%

Institutional racism 20%

Findings: location of incidentFindings: location of incident

On the street 16%

At work 14%

At school or university 9%

At home 4%

Renting or applying to rent 12%

In private vehicle 2%

Public transport 11%

Shop or supermarket 11%

Social venue 4%

Place of leisure 2%

Letter or phone call 3%

Media 3%

Government departments 5%

Other 4%

Responses to racist incidentsResponses to racist incidents AngerAnger UpsetUpset ScaredScared AnticipationAnticipation Anxious or distressedAnxious or distressed Feeling of exclusion, not belongingFeeling of exclusion, not belonging Personal growth, resiliencePersonal growth, resilience SadnessSadness Disturbed or depressedDisturbed or depressed IsolatedIsolated Lack of confidence, helpless, victimLack of confidence, helpless, victim Physical reactionPhysical reaction ShameShame

Reporting of racist incidentsReporting of racist incidents

Reported to authorities 19%Reported to authorities 19%

Not reported 70%Not reported 70%

Not specified 11%Not specified 11%

Satisfaction with results of Satisfaction with results of reportingreporting

Very satisfied 4%Very satisfied 4% Satisfied 16%Satisfied 16% Neutral 8%Neutral 8% Unsatisfied 45%Unsatisfied 45% Very unsatisfied 21%Very unsatisfied 21% Not specified 6%Not specified 6%

What is racism and how What is racism and how does it impact on us, does it impact on us,

our families and friends, our families and friends, and our work?and our work?

Since racist incidents affect a group as well as Since racist incidents affect a group as well as an individual, they are experienced as attacks an individual, they are experienced as attacks on the values, loyalties and commitments central on the values, loyalties and commitments central to a person’s identity and self-worth – their to a person’s identity and self-worth – their family honour, friends, cultural heritage, religion, family honour, friends, cultural heritage, religion, community and history. Racist, cultural and community and history. Racist, cultural and religious abuse is accordingly more hurtful than religious abuse is accordingly more hurtful than any or most of other kinds of abuse. any or most of other kinds of abuse.

Bristol City Council (2004) Bristol City Council (2004) Reporting and Dealing with Harassment in Bristol SchoolsReporting and Dealing with Harassment in Bristol Schools , , available from:available from: http://www.bristol-cyps.org.uk/services/pdf/racial_abuse.pdf

The street as a site for racismThe street as a site for racism

The physical site of racism is often the street.The physical site of racism is often the street. In the 2006 national study on refugee settlement by USC and VU, In the 2006 national study on refugee settlement by USC and VU,

approximately 25% of newly arrived refugees reported daily, approximately 25% of newly arrived refugees reported daily, weekly or monthly experiences of racism – significant proportion weekly or monthly experiences of racism – significant proportion on the street.on the street.

16% of racist incidents reported to the Confronting Racism in 16% of racist incidents reported to the Confronting Racism in Communities Project occurred on the street.Communities Project occurred on the street.

In a study by Poynting et al, 58% identified racism, abuse or In a study by Poynting et al, 58% identified racism, abuse or violence that took place on the street.violence that took place on the street.

Women were more likely to experience racism on the street Women were more likely to experience racism on the street (62%) than men (50)%.(62%) than men (50)%.

Spaces of fear and incivility.Spaces of fear and incivility.Poynting S. & Noble G. (2004)Poynting S. & Noble G. (2004)Living with Racism: The experience and reporting by Arab and Living with Racism: The experience and reporting by Arab and Muslim Australians of discrimination, abuse and violence since 11 September 2001Muslim Australians of discrimination, abuse and violence since 11 September 2001 , HREOC, , HREOC, SydneySydney

Examples: Types of Incidents in the Examples: Types of Incidents in the StreetStreet

Gazing/Staring – ‘oppression of the eyes’Gazing/Staring – ‘oppression of the eyes’ Verbal abuseVerbal abuse Physical abuse or violencePhysical abuse or violence Threats of violenceThreats of violence HarassmentHarassment Hand gestures Hand gestures

(eg.sexual, mimicking guns)(eg.sexual, mimicking guns)

Analysis: Personal ConsequencesAnalysis: Personal Consequences

Fear of public spacesFear of public spaces Withdrawal – lack of access to essential services and Withdrawal – lack of access to essential services and

resourcesresources Reluctance to engageReluctance to engage Sense of isolation and not belongingSense of isolation and not belonging Sense of helplessnessSense of helplessness Physical and mental health consequences, can be Physical and mental health consequences, can be

cumulative and chroniccumulative and chronic Settlement consequences for newly arrived migrants and Settlement consequences for newly arrived migrants and

refugeesrefugees For refugees, can compound traumaFor refugees, can compound trauma

Analysis: Social ConsequencesAnalysis: Social Consequences

Control of national/public spacesControl of national/public spaces Fear – inward looking, society lacking in Fear – inward looking, society lacking in

compassioncompassion Diminishing social capital Diminishing social capital

(trust, reciprocity, networking)(trust, reciprocity, networking) Lack of belongingLack of belonging Loss of human potentialLoss of human potential Lack of representation of minorities in public Lack of representation of minorities in public

arenaarena

Gaps in StrategiesGaps in Strategies

Legislative changes: systemic racism; indirect Legislative changes: systemic racism; indirect discrimination; punitive rather than conciliatory discrimination; punitive rather than conciliatory approach from AHRC and ADCQ.approach from AHRC and ADCQ.

Inclusion of religious discrimination under Inclusion of religious discrimination under federal RDAfederal RDA

Positive Duty as in UK to eliminate unlawful Positive Duty as in UK to eliminate unlawful racial discrimination; whole institutional racial discrimination; whole institutional approach with sanctions for managersapproach with sanctions for managers

Explicit anti-racism campaigns not just Explicit anti-racism campaigns not just celebrating diversity and ‘harmony’ projectscelebrating diversity and ‘harmony’ projects

Effective media campaigns to rebut myths and Effective media campaigns to rebut myths and promote human rightspromote human rights

What Works (and what doesn’t)What Works (and what doesn’t) Leadership: government, opinion leaders, media Leadership: government, opinion leaders, media

and activistsand activists Avoidance of culturalism and essentialism (even Avoidance of culturalism and essentialism (even

when applied to reverse racist beliefs)when applied to reverse racist beliefs) Highlighting shared commonalities (not Highlighting shared commonalities (not

sameness but intersecting parallels) rather than sameness but intersecting parallels) rather than stark or inherent differences stark or inherent differences

Building community capacity for resilience and Building community capacity for resilience and self-advocacy including skills with mediaself-advocacy including skills with media

Identifying (covert) racism within institutions and Identifying (covert) racism within institutions and dominant ideologies, not just isolated incidentsdominant ideologies, not just isolated incidents

What WorksWhat Works Strategies for inclusion and accountability, not Strategies for inclusion and accountability, not

just getting a CALD person on the boardjust getting a CALD person on the board Community activities that are safe, shared, equal Community activities that are safe, shared, equal

status and control between groups, common status and control between groups, common goal with official support and credibilitygoal with official support and credibility

Avoid ‘preachy’ or guilt inducing approaches that Avoid ‘preachy’ or guilt inducing approaches that cause denial and resistancecause denial and resistance

Document and publicize successful activitiesDocument and publicize successful activities Evaluate and conduct research to identify Evaluate and conduct research to identify

unintended exclusions and appropriate counter-unintended exclusions and appropriate counter-measures measures

How to Respond to How to Respond to Exclusion in our Exclusion in our OrganisationsOrganisations

Identification of Institutional RacismIdentification of Institutional Racism Strategies for InclusionStrategies for Inclusion

Forms of RacismForms of RacismDifferent levels or forms of racism:Different levels or forms of racism:

individual or personal racismindividual or personal racism (insults, harassment and (insults, harassment and discrimination directed at individuals) discrimination directed at individuals)

institutionalinstitutional or or systemic racismsystemic racism (conventional (conventional practices or structures and processes of institutions that practices or structures and processes of institutions that have the effect of excluding or discriminating against have the effect of excluding or discriminating against individuals or groups)individuals or groups)

cultural racism cultural racism ( beliefs, stories and assumptions that ( beliefs, stories and assumptions that naturalize social inequality as caused by inherent naturalize social inequality as caused by inherent characteristics of the disadvantaged eg. dysfunctional characteristics of the disadvantaged eg. dysfunctional families or poor choices, and/or universalize dominant families or poor choices, and/or universalize dominant values or hide privileges)values or hide privileges)

Intended or unintended racismIntended or unintended racism

Racism can be present in hostile acts, as Racism can be present in hostile acts, as well as in apparently neutral or mundane well as in apparently neutral or mundane arrangements. arrangements.

It can be the result of activities or It can be the result of activities or arrangements that set out to discriminate arrangements that set out to discriminate or harm, or it can result from ignorance or or harm, or it can result from ignorance or inadvertence or lack of awareness. inadvertence or lack of awareness.

Thus, racism can be intentional or Thus, racism can be intentional or unintentional; it may however be detected unintentional; it may however be detected by its effects (need data).by its effects (need data).

Defining Institutional RacismDefining Institutional Racism

The collective failure of an organization to The collective failure of an organization to provide an appropriate and professional service provide an appropriate and professional service to people because of their colour, culture or to people because of their colour, culture or ethnic origin. It can be seen or detected in ethnic origin. It can be seen or detected in processes, attitudes and behaviour which processes, attitudes and behaviour which amount to discrimination through unwitting amount to discrimination through unwitting prejudice, ignorance, thoughtlessness and racist prejudice, ignorance, thoughtlessness and racist stereotyping which disadvantage Black and stereotyping which disadvantage Black and minority ethnic people. minority ethnic people.

Macpherson W (1999) Macpherson W (1999) The Stephen Lawrence Inquiry: Report of an Inquiry by Sir The Stephen Lawrence Inquiry: Report of an Inquiry by Sir William Macpherson of ClunyWilliam Macpherson of Cluny (Cm 4262), London, The Stationary Office. (Cm 4262), London, The Stationary Office.

Interplay between institutional Interplay between institutional and cultural racismsand cultural racisms

Institutions validate rules, roles and certain Institutions validate rules, roles and certain understandings about entitlements which are often seen understandings about entitlements which are often seen as fair or universal, but which actually reflect and protect as fair or universal, but which actually reflect and protect dominant social interests – through, for example, dominant social interests – through, for example, understandings about who is a good parent, a reliable understandings about who is a good parent, a reliable tenant or borrower, or the best for the job. But these tenant or borrower, or the best for the job. But these rules are not applied mechanistically or deterministically. rules are not applied mechanistically or deterministically. They are activated by bureaucrats, social workers, They are activated by bureaucrats, social workers, receptionists and so on, whose own perceptions, receptionists and so on, whose own perceptions, priorities and values are fused with cultural meaning that priorities and values are fused with cultural meaning that speak of their own personal histories and social location. speak of their own personal histories and social location. Within particular constraints and in their own ways, they Within particular constraints and in their own ways, they ‘do their job’. ‘do their job’.

Pettman, Jan (1992) Pettman, Jan (1992) Living in the Margins: Racism and Feminism in AustraliaLiving in the Margins: Racism and Feminism in Australia , Allen & , Allen & Unwin, St Leonards, New South Wales.Unwin, St Leonards, New South Wales.

Key IssuesKey Issues Institutional racism is Institutional racism is notnot always explicit, as in the 19 always explicit, as in the 19thth or or

2020thth century – often covert. century – often covert.

May be unintentional – May be unintentional – This form of racism reflects the This form of racism reflects the cultural assumptions of the dominant group, so that the cultural assumptions of the dominant group, so that the practices of that group are seen as the norm to which practices of that group are seen as the norm to which other cultural practices should conform.other cultural practices should conform.

Resulting from universality of treatment.Resulting from universality of treatment.

Treating everyone the same does not equate to fairness Treating everyone the same does not equate to fairness and equity – substantive equality requires different and equity – substantive equality requires different treatment (Charles Husband 2004).treatment (Charles Husband 2004).

Institutional PowerInstitutional Power The core of the concept of institutional racism is the The core of the concept of institutional racism is the

irrelevance of the intentions of the actors involved. irrelevance of the intentions of the actors involved. Need to look at institutional power, practices and Need to look at institutional power, practices and

responsibilities:responsibilities:

- Where the power lies in institutional structures.- Where the power lies in institutional structures.

- Points in the institution where people are able to - Points in the institution where people are able to exercise discretionary power – to make decisions, exercise discretionary power – to make decisions,

set rules and allocate resources.set rules and allocate resources.

- Ways in which these rules and norms are legitimated.- Ways in which these rules and norms are legitimated.

- Ways in which they produce discriminatory outcomes.- Ways in which they produce discriminatory outcomes. Institutional racism begins to enter into practice when Institutional racism begins to enter into practice when

institutional routines reflect the interests of only one institutional routines reflect the interests of only one group, usually the majority. group, usually the majority.

Unpacking InstitutionsUnpacking Institutions Professional identities, roles and their boundariesProfessional identities, roles and their boundaries Institutional processes and routines:Institutional processes and routines: Organisation of work spacesOrganisation of work spaces TimesTimes ResourcesResources PoliciesPolicies ProceduresProcedures Level/type of staffingLevel/type of staffing Power relationships between staffPower relationships between staff Decision making processesDecision making processes Governance arrangementsGovernance arrangements Advisory-consultative mechanismsAdvisory-consultative mechanisms Management ideologies: cost saving, efficiency. Management ideologies: cost saving, efficiency.

Responding to ExclusionResponding to Exclusion

Changing occupational culture.Changing occupational culture. Policy and planning.Policy and planning. Employment – recruitment and selection, retention, Employment – recruitment and selection, retention,

training, grievance and disciplinary, appraisal.training, grievance and disciplinary, appraisal. Service delivery and customer care.Service delivery and customer care. Consultation, partnerships and multi-agency work.Consultation, partnerships and multi-agency work. Communication, information, marketing and corporate Communication, information, marketing and corporate

image.image. Leadership.Leadership. Accountability and transparency.Accountability and transparency.

How can we support How can we support and assist each other and assist each other to combat racism in to combat racism in our communities?our communities?

RacializationRacialization Racialization: discursive process of Racialization: discursive process of

“racing”, of imposing racial meanings to an “racing”, of imposing racial meanings to an individual or groupindividual or group

Examples include “dysfunctional” Examples include “dysfunctional” Aboriginal people or “queue-jumping” Aboriginal people or “queue-jumping” asylum seekers or “oppressed” Muslim asylum seekers or “oppressed” Muslim women or Islamic “terrorists”women or Islamic “terrorists”

Essentializes negative stereotypes as Essentializes negative stereotypes as inherent or fixed racial characteristicsinherent or fixed racial characteristics

Racialization and politicsRacialization and politics Often used by politicians to pander to Often used by politicians to pander to

populist fears and hatredspopulist fears and hatreds But this use entrenches such beliefs and But this use entrenches such beliefs and

encourages violent and abusive behaviorsencourages violent and abusive behaviors ““Violent racists are always a tiny minority. Violent racists are always a tiny minority.

However, their breathing space is However, their breathing space is determined by the degree of ‘ordinary’ determined by the degree of ‘ordinary’ non-violent racism a government and non-violent racism a government and culture will allow” (Hage, 2003: 247)culture will allow” (Hage, 2003: 247)

Racialization and mediaRacialization and media Media: key source of racialization, fear, Media: key source of racialization, fear,

anxiety, threat and hostilityanxiety, threat and hostility Examples especially in crime reporting, Examples especially in crime reporting,

international and non-state conflict such as international and non-state conflict such as terrorism and civil warterrorism and civil war

Strategies to combat media racism: Strategies to combat media racism: complaints, right of reply, advocacy complaints, right of reply, advocacy stories, media skills trainingstories, media skills training, , community community media and arts projects, social networks media and arts projects, social networks and interNetand interNet