Racism is more prevalent in our community than we would like to believe and it's a difficult topic to discuss.
This event on The International Day for The Elimination of Racial Discrimination will involve Leaders on the subject and people with lived experience.
They will discuss what racism is, how it impacts our community and what we can do to stand together against it and promote unity, diversity and inclusion in lutruwita, Tasmania.
Panellists include the Anti-Discrimination Commissioner a Jack Jumpers' Player, a Professor from the Tasmanian Institute of Law Enforcement Studies, a young palawa man and a young Dad from Sudan.
They are all passionate about nurturing and promoting equality and living in a society free from racism.
Panellists will explore:
- What is racism and discrimination?
- What does race-based discrimination look like?
- What is systemic or structural racism and how to we make a positive shift?
- What are the cross-culture barriers at school and in the workplace?
- How can we move forward together in a positive way, collectively as well as personally?
We Stand Together Against Racism launch
Prior to this City of Hobart event, there is another event which launches the Greater Hobart Councils anti-racism campaign - We Stand Together Against Racism.
Where: A walk from the Hobart Waterfront (in front of The Grand Chancellor) to Parliament Lawns for a media launch.
When: 11 am - 12 pm
In May last year, our Councils were approached by the CEO of Brighton City Council, James Dryburgh, highlighting the increase in reports of racist behaviours in our community and an aligned increase in fear within migrant communities. He called upon our Greater Hobart Councils to work together to stand against racism in our community. Our 6 Council's Community staff have been working together since then, with the Migrant Resource Centre and Gloo advertising, to create a dynamic and innovative marketing campaign. Please speak with your Community Team to view the current Campaign mock ups.
The campaign:
- asks all Tasmanians to stand together against racism,
- reiterates our joint commitment that racist behaviour will not be tolerated and is detrimental to our desire for an inclusive, healthy and vibrant lutruwita, Tasmania, and
- gives real suggestions on how to stand together against racism.
Palawa man, Linton Burgess, and his son Cade, have agreed to join the walk and perform a Smoke and Dance ceremony to welcome and cleanse and set the scene for our anti-racist stance.
This campaign has the power to unite our Councils and community and demonstrate a powerful, aligned approach around our shared commitment to unity, diversity and inclusion and that we will not accept racism in our state.