'One in ten' Australians is racist

23 Feb 2011, 7:46 pm   -   Source: Shalailah Medhora, SBS
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A groundbreaking new report shows more than one out of ten Australians have racist tendencies. (SBS)

A groundbreaking new report shows more than one out of ten Australians have racist tendencies. (SBS)

A groundbreaking new report into racism in Australia shows more than one out of ten of us have racist tendencies, SBS' Shalailah Medhora reports.

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A groundbreaking new report into racism in Australia shows more than one out of ten of us have racist tendencies.

Despite that, the University of Western Sydney research says the majority of Australians believe in diversity and tolerance.

The research comes just days after the federal government decided to add the word "multicultural" to one of its minister's portfolios.

For governments of all persuasions, it's an issue that just won't go away.

Now, leading-edge research has shed light on what it means to live in multicultural Australia.

A University of Western Sydney report - led by Professor Human Geography and Urban Studies Kevin Dunne - shows the overwhelming number of Aussies are tolerant, egalitarian and open to different cultures.

But despite this, more than twelve percent of us admit to being biased.

"Eighty-seven percent like cultural diversity, they see the benefit of it. Only 6 percent would argue against that, but one in ten have some really hard attitudes, bad attitudes," Kevin Dunne said. “They believe races are different from one another - some inferior, some superior, that races should be kept separate. One in ten Australians. That's quite a lot.”

The Challenging Racism Report found strong geographic links to racism... and a strong correlation between higher education and tolerance.

Malaysian-born performance artist Tiara Shafiq agrees in principle with the report's findings and claims she's experienced racism while applying for permanent residency.

She says prejudice can manifest itself in subtle ways.

”A lot of things that people do, that they think are well meaning, are actually quite hurtful or racist,” she said. “The people who do them would not ever consider themselves racist.”

The Challenging Racism Report lists a number of initiatives aimed at reducing racism - mainly, facilitating contact between different cultures.

The research comes at a time when Australia is more ethnically diverse than at any other time in its history. Yet a large proportion of people are pro-assimilation. What does this mean for the government's policy of multiculturalism?

Senator Kate Lundy says the report highlights the community's overwhelming support for diversity, and a sound rejection of old assimilationist policies.

”I think it shows that we are completely on the right track here in ensuring an updated response to nurturing and celebrating a multicultural Australia,” Lundy said.

But events in Australia's past like the Cronulla riots and the allegations of racist attacks against Indian students have tarnished Australia's reputation abroad.

And as attitudes towards multiculturalism soften within our borders, repairing Australia's image abroad will be the next big challenge.

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RACISM IS EVIL!

eureka - from NSW, 11 months ago

Get on bus, train, go to shops or just walk on the street, you'll see. No one needs to tell anything. It will speak by itself. Racism is evil! It hurts the victim and the attacker.The Karma comes back to the attacker because the world is round and every dog has his day. YOU GET WHAT YOU SEE. IF YOU LOVE, YOU GET LOVE, IF YOU HATE YOU GET HATE.

Australians Loves Being Racist!!!

eureka - from NSW, 11 months ago

Look everywhere mate, have you seen any different races hanging out together? Very rarely!! When they do, they get peoples' attention! No wonder, migrants who arrive Australia hangs out with their own race and community. How about try wearing Aboriginal arts, flags etc. clothing and Muslim scarf out on public and see peoples' reaction? HUH?????? Because White Australia thinks they are superior to any, any races in the world, including British and Americans. Australians have Superiority Complex.

What a shame.

Dwayne - from Brisbane, 11 months ago

It is saddening to know that Australians are having our name tarnished due to the actions of the loud and uneducated minority. As a developed country, the onus is on us to be mindful in striving toward a better social consciousness, hopefully one that envisions a world where people are not identified by race and creed, but by our species alone. Every cultural nuance is not a racial identifier, but rather, it is a trait of humanity. Too holistic? Maybe, maybe not.

How would you explain this

EFT - from Melbourne, 1 year

I studied at one of the major uni in Sydney. One day, I saw one Asian boy speaking perfect English and two other Anglo Australians sitting at a table in the cafeteria. The Asian tried to make a conversation with them (probably class mates together), and I heard a shocking remark from one of the Anglo Australian. "Well, why don't you hang out with your own Asian people? oh,, I gotta go cos I have something else to do." And the other Australian said " Me too!" Both left the table quickly. : (

cuts both ways

Geoff - from Townsville, 1 year

When an Anglo - Australian has had a racist remark directed at them , there told to suck it up and get on with it , When an immigrant "Australian" (demanding to have this country )to conform to there ways has had a racist remark directed at them by a Anglo Australian the whole world comes down on the Anglo Australian , about time assimilation should be brought in and multi culture-ism tossed out ,

We Need Our Freedom

Ian Foote - from Maroubra , 1 year

The sooner we break away from Post colonial rule the better , Why this will improve our multi cultural Society 1.Establish a clear and united front enabling a fresh start for our youth in forging a free and independent vision. 2.Re investigate a new style of leadership that can enable all of Australia's various cultures a fairer and fresher oppurtunity of participation.

That 1 in 10 has always been there

Flavian Hardcastle - from A delaide, 1 year

1 in 10 is almost exactly what I would have guessed. That same 10% of racists opposed giving indigenous people the vote in 1967. They were the same mob who voted for One Nation, briefly, before factional differences emerged in that party (thankfully). We seem to sustain that 10% proportion of bigots and xenophobes somehow.

Ms

Irina Lee - from Melbourne, 1 year

On 12 March 2011, I called Department Of Foreign Affairs(DFAT) to register my parents who are travelling in Japan. The DFAT operator (female) asked if my parents are Australian citizens, I answered 'Yes' and immediately after my answer she asked me the same question again like she is doubting me. She then asked for my parents names and when I told her their surnames (Asian) she asked whether they are Australian citizens again (the same question third time)!!!

better screening of new arrivals

Ernie - from Geelong, 1 year

Racism is certainly on the increase in Australia, the immigrant and asylum seeker population bring with them exterme racism and bigotry. There needs to be a concerted effort to reduce the amount of racism in the new arrivals or start to screen more closely whether somey are even suitable to come to Australia in the first place. It seems to me that regardless of their attitudes to our culture they are still admitted.

Race/Ethnicity

That guy - from Australia, 1 year

Let's get the difference between race and ethnicity clear. If a Caucasian Australian makes fun of another Caucasian person from another country, that's not technically racism.

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