7. 'Ganging up'

In recent years, African Australian communities have become one of the more visible newly arrived migrant communities in Australia. With their arrival has come a heated narrative about African ‘gangs’ and crime waves, stoked by familiar fears with roots in Australia’s racist past. In Episode 7 of Australia Fair, host Janak Rogers chats with activist and storyteller Bol Mayan, who runs the Seed Network to amplify African Australian voices; Mariam Koslay, a writer and filmmaker; and Jim Malo, a journalist examining race and media. This episode explores how sensational media coverage, particularly around events like the 2018 Moomba Festival brawl, COVID-19 lockdowns in Melbourne’s public housing towers, and the entrenched ‘African gangs’ coverage has affected Australia’s African diaspora communities.

Peter Dutton made headlines in 2018 by saying people in Melbourne were "scared to go out to restaurants" at night because of African street gang violence. Source: SBS

When you grow up in a school around people who don't know Black people other than from American media you do grow up with a lot of that projected onto you and that can be very difficult. Finding your own identity between this idea of you should be like a Black American, or you should be like a bogan from Caboolture, or you should be like a Malagasy person from a tiny rice growing village is very difficult.

Jim Malo — journalist

LISTEN TO

7. 'Ganging up'

SBS Audio

30:28English

Australia Fair offers a critical look at the nation's struggle to reconcile its diverse present with its exclusionary past.

Find all episodes in the eight-part series in the SBS Audio app or other podcast apps such as Apple Podcasts, Spotify and LiSTNR.

GUESTS

Bol Mayan - filmmaker, activist and host of The Seed Network

Mariam Koslay - filmmaker and activist

Jim Malo - journalist

Australia Fair is created by Janak Rogers

Additional editing by Max Gosford

The podcast is dedicated to Joyrsri Trivedi Rogers (1945 — 2024). "Woman Extraordinary. Plenipotentiary. Citizen of the World, Origin India". And, to John Michael Rogers (1932 - 2002).