What is casual racism?
• Subtle forms of speech/ behaviours that treat cultural differences as problematic, manifesting in exclusionary body language/ invalidating people's experiences
• Often normalised and infused into daily conversations through jokes, stereotypes or unconscious body gestures and expressions
• The power of everyday/ casual racism is in its cumulative effect - it contributes to the ongoing experience of marginalisation and repression
How racism affects our health
1. | Limited access to employment, health services, education |
2. | Reduced workplace productivity |
3. | Higher propensity for mental and physical health problems (e.g. depression and anxiety) |
4. | Lack of belonging |
Racism: The culture of denial
By individuals:
• ‘I didn't do/ say that'
• ‘I didn't do/ say that on purpose'
• ‘I didn’t mean that'
• ‘I didn't do/ say that in order to…'
By society:
• ‘There's no racism around here'
• ‘Racism isn't as bad here as it is in ____'
• ‘Racism is a thing of the past'
• ‘Racism affects a small community, but not our community'
Evaluate outcomes rather than just intentions
A comment/ joke/ action does not need to be intentionally hurtful for it to be racist.
We have to acknowledge racism as a problem, and it exists in individuals and institutions. Acknowledgement of racism by leaders at every level is essential to starting racism prevention in our community. We have to recognise and address both subtle and obvious forms of racism.