In a world that is so firmly entrenched in turmoil, violence, and hatred – Australia is not called the lucky country for no reason.
Politicians often claim it’s our unique values that set us apart from other nations.
I don’t believe that for a second. There’s not a people in the world who don’t want food to eat, a roof over their head, and safety for their children.
It’s our history and geographic isolation which results in the Australia we see today.
As a middle-class, educated white woman, with an ‘Anglo-Saxon’ name – the version of Australia I live in, is one of privilege.
I’ve never had difficulty gaining employment. When I’ve gone for jobs, I’ve been interviewed, offered a glass of water or a cup of tea, and treated well. Would I be able to say the same if I were of African, Asian, or Middle Eastern decent? What if my name denoted an ethnicity other than ‘Anglo’? Would I even get an interview? This Melbourne Institute study suggests not.
But this is the lucky country, where people get a fair go – don’t they?
Reports this week that a Sydney cafe owner is being investigated by Fair Work Inspectors for point-blank refusing to hire a man because he was black, left me cold.
When on Monday’s ABC Q&A Clive Palmer let loose on the “Communist Chinese government” and their attempts to take over Australian ports and “standing up to the Chinese bastards … because they’re Communist, because they shoot their own people, they haven’t got a justice system and they want to take over this country” I was yet again downright disgusted.
Racism, discrimination, and prejudice, whether shouted on national television, or delivered silently by binning the resume of a qualified applicant, undermine us all, in this, our lucky country.
Organisations like BeyondBlue work tirelessly to demonstrate the impact that prejudice can have on people in our community. But they face an uphill battle.
Racism, like any form of discrimination, leads to distress, which in turn can lead to depression and anxiety. Their current Invisible Discriminator campaign features powerful TV advertisements which show non-Indigenous Australians treating Indigenous Australians with suspicion or disregard in everyday settings. Subtle and out-and-out discrimination contributes to depression, anxiety and mental illness in people who are targeted.
This week I have a totally unveiled plea to sit down and ask yourself a tough question: do you give people a fair go?
Share your thoughts with me via editorial@dynamicbusiness.com.au
