National Conference On Racism In A Global Context

Experience of Racism by Young people of African Migrant Descent

Peter Mbago Wakholi (School of Humanities, Murdoch University)

My paper will be based on the experiences of racism by the young people, of African migrant descent, that I have worked with in my research project. Although optimistic about their future in Australian society, most of the African migrants interviewed in my research project have experienced racism as part of their daily life. Udo-Ekpo (1992) has made similar observations in his studies among African migrants in the eastern states of Australia. Races as objectively existing biological entities do not exist. The traditional concept of "race" cannot be reconciled with current understanding of the genetic nature of human diversity. The concept emerged in Western thought in its modern sense around 1800 and has owed its popularity to a variety of, often ideological, cultural factors (Richards, 1997).Drawing on the historical encounter between Africa and Europe I will be arguing that the humiliating situation to which the African people were subjected, under the claim of their inferiority, determined the rise of a dichotomy between the racial values of whites and those of blacks that in a way lingers even on to our day (Masolo, 1994).Racism has proved an extremely difficult concept to defineand most authorities now identify a variety of 'racisms'at its broadest racism may be taken as any practicewhich, intentionally or not , excludesa 'racial' or 'ethnic' minority from enjoying the full rights, opportunitiesand responsibilitiesavailable to the majority population (Goldberg, 1993).In my paper I will adopt Richards's (1997) use of the term racism to refer to the attitudes and practices which are explicitly hostile and denigratory towards people defined as belonging to another 'race'.The focus of the paper will be on the challenges that confront Black African folk who are settled in predominantly Eurocentric populations and explore possible options for dealing with the problem of racism.

Session 6, Stream 2

Date & Time: Saturday 10 November (10.45am)

Location : ECL4

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The role of racism in disempowering and limiting communities and groups

Haileluel Gebre-Selassie (Deputy Chairperson of the African Think Tank, Department of Planning and Community Development)

My presentation will focus on the role of racism in disempowering and limiting communities and groups capacity in participating in the social, economic and political life of Australia. Racism contributes to social division, hatred, and anti social activities within the broader Australian community. Many scholars agree that the socio- economic cost of racism is way beyond our imagination. It affects individual health, reduces productivity and limits the capacity of people to contribute in building strong and productive societies. This paper suggests ways and strategies to address potential root causes of racism, to improve social harmony in order to increase individual and community participation in nation building.

Session 6, Stream 2

Date & Time: Saturday 10 November (11.05am)

Location : ECL4

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What about mixed race? Exploring the paradoxes and challenges of identity construction from the vantage point of South African women living in Australia.

Miss Raylene Lewis (Edith Cowan University, Perth, W.A.)

Christopher Sonn (Victoria University)

The label coloured was removed with the demise of the apartheid system and following emigration. Yet, the label persists, taking on different meanings as people make sense of their lives, both in South Africa and Australia. In this paper we examine the stories of South African women living in Australia to understand the multiple ways in which they are negotiating their social identities, in particular 'coloured' identities. The analysis of the women's stories show that in this country there are increased freedoms around identity choices. The women had available multiple categories for identification including black, coloured, Australian, and South African. Some wanted to understand and reconnect with their past through memory and reclaiming as a way to make sense of present identities. Although there are different opportunities for self determination, there are limits and constraints on available identity options for the women. These constraints are related to workings of 'race', in particular the workings of whiteness in Australia. The insights provided by these stories show the ways in which these women have reappropriated stories and memories as part of their acts of self determination, but they also point to the ongoing significance of 'whiteness' in influencing identification and belonging in Australia.

Session 6, Stream 2

Date & Time: Saturday 10 November (11.25am)

Location : ECL4

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The Colour of Football

Steve Stacey (Nyoongar Sports Association)

The writer is currently the Executive Officer of the Nyoongar Sports Association. The NSA is a child of ATSIC and is responsible for delivering sport and physical recreation programmes to Indigenous Australians in Nyoongar Country. He is the first ever Afro American to play professional football (Soccer) in the UK. His father a black American his mother a white English lady, the American army refuses them permission to marry. He reminisces and relates anecdotal commentary here about the racism inherent in that decision and how it impacted on his life and the lives of others. The conclusion from the experience tells him that sport unites not divides and that in sport, amongst the group colour is irrelevant. If this is so then it is incumbent in the provision of sport and recreation provision that we build and grow on the natural Indigenous talent we have here in Australia to encourage and focus that talent outside of the narrow confines of male dominated Australian Rules Football. Perhaps then we will see more of the real Indigenous Australians. This in my view is the lesson learned from life's experience.

Session 6, Stream 2

Date & Time: Saturday 10 November (11.45am)

Location : ECL4

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The Copts; Racism and Ethnic Cleansing

Abram Abdelmalek (Parish Priest Coptic Orthodox Church, Diocese of Melbourne & Affiliated Regions, St. Mary & Archangel Michael Church, Perth)

Copts are the native people of Egypt. They are the descendants of the great famous Pharaoh's Egyptians.

For fourteen hundred years the have been subject to persecution and ethnic cleansing by the invaders who concord Egypt from the Arabian Peninsula in the middle of the Seventh Century AD.

Recently and with the spreading out of Islamic extremism, the Christian Egyptians suffer atrocities and devastations beyond the imagination of anyone who lives in 21st Century.

Those atrocities take the form of individual persecution to mass murders with the blessings and support of the Egyptian Government, which in many cases is directly involved in them.

This presentation includes real stories, true evidence and indisputable facts.

The Copts demand the basic human rights that are live freely, worship freely and feel safe and secured in their own mother country.

Session 6, Stream 2

Date & Time: Saturday 10 November (12.05pm)

Location : ECL4