Anti Racism in Australia

It’s been heartening to see Aussies support the Black Lives Matter movement in the US. However, despite that, I’ve seen a lack of commitment to – and education around – anti racism in Australia. As well as an incredible amount of blindness & neutrality towards those issues here at home.

With that said, here’s a list of actionable things non-Indigenous Australians can do to support reconciliation and affect change. It’s by no means exhaustive, but it’s a start.

Look, I’m not perfect, I have made and will make mistakes. That’s human. What matters is that we try and that we listen. This is just me sharing what I’ve learnt, both over the years and very recently.

Stand up to Racism in Your own Circles and be Actively Anti Racist:

Possibly THE most important thing you can do is call out that problematic family member, friend or colleague, and have the conversation. Is it uncomfortable? Hell yes. Does that matter? Nope. To be honest, it’s the least we can do with our privilege.

• Speak up when you observe racism in your personal circles. Get your house in order!
• Explore anti racism in Australia with resources like these (they are US based but apply in Australia too)
  How to be Antiracist by Ibram X. Kendi
  This article by Angela Y. Davis
  30 Days and 30 Ways to be a Better Ally by Gloria Atanmo
  The Difference Between Being ‘Not Racist’ And ‘Antiracist’ Virtual TED Interview with Ibram X. Kendi
  

Support the Uluru Statement from the Heart:

The Uluru Statement from the Heart is an invitation from First Nations People to “walk with us in a movement of the Australian people for a better future.”

It calls for the reforms of: Voice, Treaty, Truth.

• Read the Uluru Statement from the Heart
• Pledge your support using the email form
• Share it on social media and with friends and family

https://ulurustatement.org

Check the AIATSIS map of Indigenous Australia:

This map shows what language group/land you’re on. It’s important to really see just how diverse Indigenous culture is in our country.

Once you know, you can create an Acknowledgment of Country to use at appropriate times. Remember, when Acknowledging Country, you are speaking to the ancestors of that land. It’s a special thing, treat it with respect. This is mine, for my hometown of Perth, Western Australia;

I acknowledge the traditional owners of the land, the Whadjuk people of the Noongar nation. I show my respect to elders past, present and emerging, and their connection to Boodjar (Country).

Download the Welcome to Country App:

This incredible smartphone app uses your location to show you a Welcome to Country video by an elder of the nation whose land you’re on. Great for travellers and locals alike to acknowledge country, and to learn more about the different nations / language groups within Australia. This is one of my favourite travel apps!

Buy only Authentic Goods. Support Aboriginal & Torres Straight Islander Owned Businesses

Beware of mass produced imitations, like those from cheap souvenir stores. Make sure you’re buying authentic and ethical goods made by an Indigenous artist or craftsperson.

Art

• K-Rae Designs (check out her Creative Diary! I want to buy one!)
• Tahlia Bennell (great Noongar artist from WA, my home state)
• Unapolojaetic Illustrations (illustrates Indigenous heritage and cultures)

Fashion + Jewellery: 

• Minaku Store (Etsy) (Gorgeous raffia earrings and prints!)
• Take Pride Movement (represents FNP culture as a symbol of unity for all)
• Nungala Creative (everything from earrings. to shirts, to stickers)
• Gillawarra Arts (Indigenous wearable art)
• Haus of Dizzy (Indigenous jewellery and bling)

#FreeTheFlag

Did you know the Aboriginal flag is copyrighted? Unlike any other flag in the world. WAM Clothing, a non-Indigenous owned brand, hold the exclusive world-wide licensing agreement to reproduce the Flag on clothing. The flag is a source of pride, but now, could worryingly be a source of anxiety for those wanting to wear it on clothing. Not to mention it takes the ability for Aboriginal owned businesses and entrepreneurs to use it on clothing.

• Follow Clothing the Gap – an Aboriginal owned business uniting non-Indigenous and Indigenous people through fashion and causes such as Closing the Gap. 100% of their profits actively support Aboriginal health promotion and education programs throughout Victoria.
• Sign their ‘Pride Not Profit’ Petition to Free The Flag – It was Clothing the Gap who first received a cease and desist notice from WAM Clothing, which informed them of the copyright.
• Send an email to your local MP, using Clothing the Gap’s provided template – at the link you’ll find a directory of MP’s and their contact details, and also a template which you can fill out/customise and send.
• Raise awareness! This copyright issue impacts cultural identity and expression. Spread the message.

Educate Yourself First

Be empathetic to the fact that it can be traumatic and/or triggering for Aboriginal and Torres Straight Islander peoples to answer questions about certain topics.

It is not the responsibility of the oppressed to educate you.

There are plenty of amazing resources by Indigenous people, or which centre their stories, such as TED talks / articles / books / podcasts / docos / etc. Here are a few of my faves to get you started;

TED Talks

TEDx – Bruce Pascoe | A real history of Aboriginal Australians, the first agriculturalists
Did you know the First Nations Peoples of this land were agriculturalists?

TEDx – Ingrid Cumming | Two Worlds
Can we join the two worlds of this country together for a better future?

TEDx – Brooke Blurton
How do you Introduce Yourself?

Websites/Articles

Share Our Pride:
This website is a resource for non-Indigenous Australians to learn more about, and get an insight into, the lives, culture, and history of Aboriginal and Torres Straight Islander people. It also answers many myths and misconceptions.

Reconciliation Australia:
Explains what ‘Reconciliation’ means and looks like in the context of modern Australia. And breaks down the 5 central areas of Reconciliation: historical acceptance, race relations, equality and equity, institutional integrity, and unity. It also contains awesome info & resources for National Reconciliation week.

Podcasts

Always Was, Always Will be our Stories Podcast:
This relatively new podcast has conversations with inspiring, trailblazing Indigenous role models. I listened to the first episode with Isaiah Dawe and came away so uplifted and inspired by his story and mission with ID. Know Yourself (more on that later in the list)

EP1 ‘Foster Kid to CEO’ Isaiah Dawe:

Diversify Your Feed

Follow Indigenous influencers & content creators on social media.
BUT NOT TO SHOW YOUR ‘WOKENESS’!
Get outta here with that sh*t.

Do it because it allows you to better listen & learn, better amplify their voices, and because why wouldn’t you want more awesome content on your feed?

Here are some of my faves:
@meissamason | Schools ignorant and curious people alike on Indigenous issues & stereotypes, and also on this country’s legit history. Plus she’s an artist! So you can get educated AND cultured!

@howdoidelete1 | Emily makes fun of racists on the regular, she gets real, she’s ‘ashamed and amused to be here’ on TikTok. AND she also deserves her own comedy show! Someone make this happen, please.

@blakbusiness | Olivia runs this awesome and informative Instagram account which makes “Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander (𝙗𝙡𝙖𝙠) history, politics, voices, creators etc (𝙗𝙪𝙨𝙞𝙣𝙚𝙨𝙨) accessible to all”

More awesome people to check out: 
@nathan.mcguire | Noongar Fashion Model
@brooke.blurton | Noongar/Yamatji Youth Worker, Mental Health Advocate, Influencer

Donate / Sign Petitions / Spread the Word

Consider donating to organistions making a difference, or spread the word about the work they’re doing. Support petitions for important issues like seeking justice for Indigenous deaths in custody.

Sign

• Petition to ‘Demand Action on Indigenous Incarceration’
• Petition to ‘End Aboriginal Deaths in Custody: Abolish the Offence of Public Drunkenness’ in Victoria
• Petition to ‘Free Our Future: Don’t Punish Poverty!
• Petition to ‘Keep Grog out of our Communities’

Donate

I’ve donated to;

• Common Ground: This website shares Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, history and lived experiences. It’s designed to fill the knowledge gap in our country.
• The Day Family Fundraiser for Tanya Day: Tanya Day was a beloved mother, grandmother and activist. A proud Yorta Yorta woman who died in police custody after being arrested for ‘public drunkenness’ – an archaic law in Victoria – all because she fell asleep on a train. Donations support the family’s petitioning, campaigning and media work.

But there are also these amazing organisations, please check them out even if you can’t donate!

• FreeHer Campaign: Helps Aboriginal women in WA, with no criminal convictions, who are in prison because they can’t afford to pay fines.
• ID. Know Yourself: Created by Isaiah Dawe from the podcast linked above, to deliver culturally-focused, trauma-informed mentoring to Aboriginal youth in the Out of Home Care System.
• Black Rainbow: Advocacy platform for Aboriginal and Torres Straight Islander LGBTQI peoples.
• Healing Foundation: Aboriginal and Torres Straight Islander organisation that partners with communities to address trauma
• Seed Indigenous Youth Climate Network: A movement of Aboriginal and Torres Straight Islander youth for climate justice

Remember, Solidarity is Forever

Racial injustice worldwide isn’t just a trending hashtag BIPOC can turn off. Likewise, solidarity is not something you can give now and take back when it’s no longer popular. Systemic racism’s gotta go!

For that to happen, we have to work on anti racism in Australia.

To move forward, we must:
Acknowledge the past.
Keep learning & listening.
Keep doing better.

Because we only get to a better world together.

Much Love,
Amelia x