What can we do about racism?

It has been shown in the argument to this point that racism is objectionable, undesirable and indefensible. However, racist attitudes are not illegal. Within their own minds and within the privacy of their own homes, Australians may hold whatever views they wish. However, when racism is manifested in certain behavior towards other people on the ground of their race, color, descent or national, it becomes racial discrimination. Racial discrimination is unlawful by virtue of a number of pieces of Commonwealth, State and Territory legislation which are explained below.

Racist attitudes one form of racism, and the only way of changing attitudes is through education, a long term process . However, racially discriminatory behavior can be changed by legislation involving certain consequences to the perpetrator if the racist behavior is not changed. The two approaches education and legislation are not mutually exclusive. Indeed, it can be argued that one does not work, or work effectively, without the other.

Legislation defines the boundaries of civilized society by proscribing behavior that is unacceptable, although these boundaries are not immutable. The government of the day sets its agenda and attempts to implement this agenda through the social policies it formulates. Social policy can be useful tool in changing an organizational culture: for example, in addresing systemic discrimination within established institutions.

Posted by: Kathy Stevko