New Racism In Australia

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Racism has persisted in Australian society despite decades-long efforts to condemn the behaviour. Although prima facie illegal, polarising views about racism are built on complex layers that are not directly prohibited by law. Those who exhibit racist behaviour may not be breaking the law, but their conduct is still considered deviant under societal expectations. The following analysis argues that Australian society’s concept of racism has been misconstrued by colourblind ideology, which is a symptom of systemic issues and institutional ignorance towards anti-racist policy and practice. This is reflected through Australia’s strained historical relationship with race, the inconsistent responses to minimising racism, and the impacts of society’s …show more content…
‘Old racism’ is underscored by sociological understandings of race, such as overt racial segregation (Dunn et al., 2004, p. 419). In contrast, ‘new racism’ embodies covert intolerance towards specific cultural groups. This is attributed to contemporary perceptions of national identity (Dunn et al., 2004, p. 420). Since the late 20th century, Australia has become an increasingly multicultural society. Still, tensions in attitudes towards diversity are unresolved. While many Australians agree that anti-racism policies require further development, a strong minority concur that no such racist problems exist today (Dunn, et al., 2004, p. 425). This problematises the country’s historical relationship with race, and the lasting impacts of systemic constructions hindering anti-racist …show more content…
Claims of white victimhood became prevalent when the 1980s shift to neoliberal politics also saw governments promoting individualism and abstaining from engaging with social issues (Nelson, et al., 2018, p. 340). Although anti-white ‘racism’ includes racialized language, the uncivilised behaviour is far removed from racism based on systemic race relations and structures (Nelson, et al., 2018, p. 340). White victimhood has taken various forms; one recent example, stemming from the Black Lives Matter (‘BLM’) movement. In 2021, acting Australian Prime Minister Michael McCormack used the phrase ‘all lives matter’, which invited criticism from Indigenous, public, and political stakeholders (Stollznow, DATE?, 2021). The phrase rebuts BLM on the pretence that the original movement creates further division between races. Its premise fails to recognise the historical prejudices and stigmas directed towards people of colour. Accordingly, the ‘all lives matter’ debate derails the equitable purpose of BLM and epitomises contemporary covert racism (Stollznow, DATE?, 2021). The phrase’s inception also reflects the extent to which racial discussions have become politicised. While these perspectives have been informed by policy formulation and government issue-framing, other forms of mass communication are key contributors to colourblind racism (Heitzeg, 2015, p.
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