Transcript Anne’s presentation - University of Western Sydney

Team:
Social Geographers (Dunn & Forrest)
Social Epidemiologist (Paradies)
Community Psychologist (Pedersen)
Social Scientist (Guerin)
Social Worker (Babacan)
Thanks to James Forrest and Therese Kenna for
providing the map and graphs
Attitudes Towards Cultural Diversity in Perth, Australia
100
90
80
% agree/disagree
70
60
50
40
30
20
10
0
It is a good thing for a There is racial prejudice in You are prejudiced against It is NOT a good idea for Australians from a British
society to be made up of
Australia
other cultures
people of different races to
background enjoy a
people from different
marry one another
privileged position in our
cultures
society
Statement on cultural diversity
Agrees
Disagrees
Level of concern towards cultural mixing in Perth, Australia
90
80
70
% not concerned/concerned
60
50
40
30
20
10
0
Asian background
Aboriginal background
Muslim faith
Cultural Background
No concern
Some level of concern
Jewish faith
Black African
background
Racism in Australia
‘Everyday’ experiences of racism [1= high
incidence; 8= low]
What to do?

Prejudice and racism are multi-faceted: structural,
cultural, inter-personal, and personal

An anti-prejudice intervention is one personal/interpersonal way forward. The Challenging Racism Project
looks at the individual within his or her context. The
geographical data tells us what is happening within
each location; psychology tells us what strategies might
be appropriate within that location

1.
Three lots of strategies:
Strategies that should be used as a matter of course; e.g.,
accurate information. Strategists may attempt to
address false beliefs such as “being Indigenous entitles
you to more social security benefits”.
Strategies that need to be tailored on location; e.g.,
white privilege.
Strategies for background use only (e.g., personality)
2.
3.
Conclusions/Recommendations
 Context matters
 This type of work needs to be nationally endorsed
 Structural, cultural, inter-personal, and personal factors all
need to be addressed
 Different disciplines can, and should, work together
 Individuals can – and often do - create a critical mass
forcing structural change
“Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful and committed
citizens can change the world. Indeed it is the only thing
that ever does” (Margaret Mead)