To have harmony, we need to face the reality of racism

Since 1945, about seven million people have migrated to Australia. Today, Australians identify with more than 270 ancestries. 1 in 4 Australia’s 22 million people were born overseas; 46% have at least one parent who was born overseas; and nearly 20% of Australians speak a language other than English at home. Australia is a multicultural nation.?

The Diversity Council of Australia defines racism as the ‘discrimination, exclusion, or disadvantage of someone because of their race, colour, descent, nationality, ethnicity, religion, or imigrant status’.?

Today:?

• 1 in 2 Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people experienced at least one incident of racial harassment or discrimination at work?
• 1 in 5 Australians have experienced racism in the form of racial hate talk.?
• 7 in 10 students have experienced racism during their childhood, most of them in school.?
• 1 in 3 people experience racism in the workplace.

March 21 is the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination. In Australia, it’s known as Harmony Day - which celebrates the nation’s cultural diversity, describing Australia’s inclusiveness, respect, and sense of belonging. However, we need to acknowledge that it might be sweeping racism under the rug.?

We rarely (almost, never!) call racism for what it is.?

In Australia, the first national anti-discrimination law to be passed addressed racism in 1975. However, racism continues to threaten the future and render our present. We continue to feel the systems and structures that were not built for us to succeed. We can’t dress it up as Harmony Day and move past it.?

International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination is a day to strengthen our voices against all forms of racism. This years theme is voices for action against racism, which is all about challenging racial discrimination and injustice.?

We launched Careers in Colour with an inaugural event The State of Cultural Diversity in Australian Workplaces - where we unpacked the social, cultural, and structural barriers to cultural diversity in leadership. Workplaces need to consider having relevant strategies, policies and targets in place. Diversity, equity, and inclusion should not be a business case or a choice. We need to consider the humanised element - it is important and powerful. It can change lives.?

We can all have a profound impact on someone's professional sense of self and confidence by thoughtfully creating an inclusive environment, engaging in meaningful and honest discussions and making this a regular part of our professional practice.?