DEAR News Of The Area,

THE Human Rights Commission launched its National Anti-Racism Framework in November last year.

This is a timely piece of work that is underpinned by significant research, consultation and engagement with a wide range of Australians from the community, institutions and business.

In my experience, locally, across the country and internationally, racism remains a persistent challenge for all of us.

It both saddens and angers me that we don’t see any ongoing improvement in our national polity with regard to racism and discrimination against a myriad of so-called differences.

Colour, religion, indigeneity, culture, language and even dress are all aspects that some try to justify reasons to discriminate or worse generate hate, fear and violence.

Ironically, according to the eminent social research organisation, the Scanlon Institute, we generally like multiculturalism and view it as beneficial to Australia.

It is very disturbing then that we have some in the media, politics and so-called interest groups constantly undermining our value and enjoyment of diverse cohesion.

This bigotry, hateful, divisive and ultimately destructive behaviour must be called out.

It is our national duty to ensure harmony amongst all our diversity.

As the HRC states this begins with acknowledgement and respect for First Nations Australians, respect and acceptance of the range of cultural and religious practices we have here and celebration of multiculturalism.

The current cynical use of racism, including targeting of selective groups for political gain, apart from being disgusting and unlawful, lessens us all and makes us all less safe.

All people campaigning for our vote in the upcoming Federal election must explicitly commit to combatting all racism up front.

It is in all our interests to demand this.

Regards,
Paul SEKFY,
Yarranbella.