Speak up against racism

Speaking up when you hear a racist remark helps to stop racism in Australia. Staying silent may be interpreted as implied approval of discrimination. Make a commitment to speaking up against racism: sign the pledge.

When you confront racism you are playing an important role in shaping social norms. You have the right, as well as the responsibility, to speak up against racism.

It is easier if you remember a few basic things:

Be safe. You will achieve more if you speak up in a non-confrontational way that doesn't compromise your physical or emotional safety.
Prepare. Sooner or later a situation will come along that will require you to challenge racist remarks. Prepare something to say in advance. Open-ended questions are often a good response.

"Why do you say that?"
OR
"How come you believe that?"
Identify behaviour. Pointing out the behaviour of the person who talks in stereotypes may help them to understand what they are really saying.

"John, you're classifying a very large group of people in a derogatory way. Is that actually what you meant to say?"
Guard your tongue. Don't use labels or name-calling yourself. Never call anyone a RACIST – most people will get offended and will disengage after that, so you may not achieve anything.
Appeal to principles. If the speaker is someone you know, call on their beliefs. What they say may not be an indication of what they think.

"Joe, I've always thought of you as a fair-minded person, so it shocks me when I hear you say something that sounds so racist."
Say No. Consider just saying "NO" - there is nothing more discouraging to someone expressing racist remarks than to be told that their attitudes or generalisations are not shared, and worse, that it's unacceptable to you.

"Jane, I have to stop you there. I do not share your beliefs about Aboriginal Australians ..."
Set the limits. Letting people know that their behaviour is unacceptable will limit the spread of racist attitudes. You cannot control what other people say but you can set some boundaries. Just make sure that you follow through with them!

"Don't tell racist jokes in my presence anymore. If you do that again, I will leave." OR "My workspace is not a place I allow discriminatory remarks to be made. I can't control what you say outside of this space, but here I ask that you respect my wishes."
Find friends. Support like-minded people when they speak up against racist remarks, and ask them to do the same for you. Inspire others to challenge racism and speak up for a better Australia.
Remember. If you don't speak up you are surrendering some of your beliefs. Don't become complacent - remember to speak up wherever racism occurs.

You will feel more confident speaking up if you familiarise yourself with the facts that debunk some of the common myths and misconceptions about Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians.

You do not have to be an expert to speak up – facts help you to understand the myths and feel more confident about speaking up.

Hints on speaking up for specific purposes

Further information

Take a look at these other websites that have information about speaking up against racism:

Racism No Way - information for Australian schools
Tolerence.org - an American site continaing a wide-range of useful information
Prejudice. No Way! - assistance for students from kindergarten to Year 3