By Benjamin Millar
The Christchurch terror attack that killed 50 people and left dozens injured has highlighted the importance of tackling the harms caused by racism, a Footscray forum has ben told.
Liana Buchanan, the Principal Commissioner for Children and Young People, was the keynote speaker for a workshop last Thursday marking the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination.
Ms Buchanan was joined by Gellibrand MP Tim Watts and a number of African-Australian speakers for the workshop held by The African Australian Multicultural Employment and Youth Services (AAMEYS) entitled ‘Racism: The Challenge for Disengaged Children and Youth from Refugee Backgrounds’.
“If there was ever a time to talk about racism, to talk about the harms that it causes, to name racist narratives and the connection between those narratives and violent extremism then it’s truly now,” she said.
“The last three years have marked a low point in the treatment of African-Australian young people in the media and in political discussions in this state and more broadly.”
Ms Buchanan said there is no denying some young Australians of African heritage have been involved in crime, but the scope of the issue “has been blown entirely out of proportion.”
“At a Federal level, I think it’s fair to say we’ve seen some of the most blatant, race-based dog
whistling any of us would ever hope to have the chance to hear, or not to hear,” she said.
“The research and evidence is incredibly clear that those who are most impacted by discrimination, most impacted by racism in any community, are people who are children and people who are young.
“And we know that when young people don’t feel connected to the society they live in, or are valued by it, then that can at the very least compound some of the factors that drives them into antisocial behaviour.”
Mr Watts said young African-Australians had told him about the frustrations of racist experiences and the “toxic narrative coming out of Canberra”.
Developing South Sudan Australia (DSSA) founder Monica Majok, speaking as part of a panel discussion, said sport can provide an important avenue for young people to find purpose and connect.
South Sudanese community leader Ring Mayar said racism comes in many forms and shapes and “whittles your soul”.
“Young people feel very much disrespected, then you create a problem.”
