What to do when we experience racism

Incidents of racism are all too common and on the rise. My office regularly receives correspondence from constituents from across the continent on what they can do when they themselves, or their children, or parents are resisting the ongoing racism the colony throws at them.

The Jumbunna Institute has described it as “Racism is an endemic problem in Australia that disproportionately impacts First Nations people. However, the true extent remains largely unseen and unheard by the Australian public. While communities and advocates know first-hand how pervasive and harmful racism is, the broader population continues to refuse to acknowledge this.

Racial prejudices and stereotypes exist across our justice, health, political, economic and social systems. Call it Out was created to allow First Nations people to drive the recognition and action that is needed to highlight First Nations peoples’ day-to-day experiences of racism in all its forms, to raise awareness of its prevalence throughout Australia and ultimately to create structural change to address it”. FAQ - Call It Out

Racism is what enabled and empowers colonisers to continue carrying out the Genocide of First Peoples here. While it may have different forms today, the impacts of white supremacy operate in both covert and overt ways. From locking up our children and removing our children at an ever growing rate, to systemic violence in the workplace - racism is something that we all must address. We all have a part to play in ending it.

Most of the racism that is experienced by First Peoples is online, from people we don’t know. The Jumbunna Institute’s Call it Out Register reports that between 2023 and 2024, over 450 registrations (some of which contain multiple instances) of racism were self-reported or witnessed. Workplace related racism remained the most common location for racism reported by First Nations people (20% of self-reports). The Call it Out Register also noted that most First Peoples impacted by racism dealt with it by talking to friends and family.

While my office encourages this greatly, I wanted to provide some more information on how you can report racism. If you want to talk through what is listed here, please call my office on (03) 9070 1950.


In solidarity,
Lidia

Last updated 23 May 2025