Anti-Racism and Indigenous Australians

In: Analyses of social issues and public policy: _372sap, Band 5, Heft 1, S. 1-28

Abstract

Indigenous Australians constitute approximately 2.4% of the Australian population & suffer from disadvantage across a range of social, economic, & health indicators compared to other Australians, including exposure to racism across all domains of contemporary Australian society. However, there has been relatively little research conducted on anti-racism in relation to Indigenous Australians. This article begins with an overview of theoretical issues pertinent to the empirical study & public policy of anti-racism. Empirical findings, from social psychology, on effective approaches to anti-racism at the cognitive, individual, interpersonal, & societal level as well as for the targets of racism are detailed with a particular focus on Indigenous Australians. Recommendations for improving & expanding institutional & legal policies to implement these approaches in relation to education & child-rearing, public service, law enforcement & media, as well as monitoring racism & promoting anti-racism in civil society, are then presented. To conclude, strategies for engendering political will to combat racism in the current neoliberal capitalist climate are explored. References. Adapted from the source document.