I want to talk about racism. I know it can be an uncomfortable topic, but not talking about it is exactly how it is able to continue. It is important for us to have a conversation about this, and especially now.
Throughout the pandemic, racism in our community has become more visible – not just in Maribyrnong, but in every municipality. It is not that there has necessarily been an increase, but there is more evidence of it occurring. I, myself, have experienced it first hand, and have heard from my friends and family, and a number of young people who have had similar encounters.
I know many people have been struggling with the impacts of COVID-19 and we are all experiencing different challenges in our day-to-day life.
That does not give anyone of us a right to take out our frustrations on other members of our community, just because they look different or may come from a different culture.
Racism is never okay. There are consequences from this type of behaviour, especially on people’s mental health.
The reality is that no-one here is to blame for the pandemic. Let’s not make things any harder by scapegoating certain members of our community for a situation that is not of their making.
Let us instead work to get through this, together. We are lucky here in the City of Maribyrnong – we have one of the most culturally diverse populations in Victoria, which has also brought so much vibrancy to our great City.
We should be celebrating that.
The #RacismNOTWelcome campaign is one example of our Council’s commitment to supporting and harnessing our diversity. Next month, you will start to see signage erected at Council buildings and facilities across the City as a tangible demonstration of our position – this is us putting a line in the sand.
80% of those who responded to a survey during engagement last year supported this.
The Campaign will be officially launched on 21 March, which is also the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination, and is a way for us to recognise racism not only exists but that we, as a community, also have a responsibility to call it out and confront it.
Racism does not just affect our City, and there are many opportunity for other councils across the State to also demonstrate their condemnation of it.
