The Complexities of Racism: Proceedings of the Second International Conference on Racisms in the New World Order

Hurriyet Babacan; Narayan Gopalkrishnan

This is a traditional Chinese curse which is very applicable to contemporary societies. The impacts of racist practice and racialised discourses permeate our lives in both subtle and open ways. We have recently witnessed in many Western developed nations, including Australia, a renewed focus on issues of national identity and how we can live cohesively with common values. Much of this discussion has been in the context of alarmed debates about national security and the war on terror. It appears that there is a retreat into an introverted view of 'Western civilization' that negates all forms of multiculturalism that exists within the nation. It seems that there is little recognition that the 'other' is actually within and that support for a concept of monocultural internal cohesion, as a way to achieve national security, is no longer viable. These debates have given licence to demonise different groups of people including Muslims, refugees and those who are visibly different. The public discourses have become conjoined with other issues such as asylum seekers, ethnic crime (e.g. Asian gangs, gang rape), national security, religious compatibility, validity of overseas skills (especially of medical professions), employment and gender roles across cultures. On the other hand, we see new forms of state paternalism and attempts to control the lives of Indigenous Australians. Issues of racism continue to penetrate all elements of the lives of the first people of this land. The public discourses in this area have including issues relating to child abuse, domestic violence, parenting, income support, substance abuse and social relationships, debates that have cast stereotypical negative images of Indigenous people which attempt to justify state intervention that we would not accept in other communities. Many people in contemporary Australia refute that racism exists. However there is evidence to suggest that it persists in changing and dynamic ways. Racism defines the way in which social relations between people or society are structured and operates through a range of personal, relational, systemic and institutional practices that serve to devalue, exclude, oppress or exploit people. Racism is a relationship of dominance and subordination between social groups and is subject to variation over time, place and circumstance. Direct acts of hostility have often replaced rather more covert behaviour/comments relating to moral character, alien cultural values and lifestyles. These new forms are referred to as 'new racisms' and appear to have non-racialised characteristics. Racist behaviour can take place without seemingly contravening democratic or egalitarian values. 'Race discourse' and use of language and coded messages deliver very direct racialised messages while appearing as non harmful. Racism has consequences for life chances of people and it should be remembered that is an act of power and is a tool for maintaining privilege. Those who have 'unearned privilege' in social relations tend not to acknowledge that status or readily give it up. Denial of racism is, thus, a strong element of current manifestations of racism. There are often direct and indirect ramifications for people to raise this as an issue. A continued critical examination of racism is fundamentally important to Australia. As a multicultural nation, acceptance of diversity is the cornerstone of the progress of the nation in many aspects including business, trade, education, workforce, industry, arts and social elements. Without a focus on racism, the hard edge issues that confront our society cannot be addressed. It is from this perspective that the 2nd International Conference on Racisms in the New World Order: Realities of Culture, Colour and Identity was jointly organized by the Centre for Multicultural and Community Development, University of the Sunshine Coast and the Institute for Community, Ethnicity and Policy Alternatives, Victoria University. The Conference was attended by national and international participants, and included academics, community development workers, policy makers and other government officials, media as well as community members who experience racism. The conference covered four themes: • Manifestations of Racism, • Responses to Racism, • Nationalism, • Developing Anti-Racist Futures. The papers in these Conference proceedings provide thought provoking studies and ideas from diversity authors. Each paper in this section has been blind-refereed by two other academic peers and complies with normal academic referring processes.

The Complexities of Racism: Proceedings of the Second International Conference on Racisms in the New World Order

Files and links (1)

Abstract

Details

Metrics