‘Speaking’ racism and anti-racism: perspectives of local anti-racism actors

Abstract

‘Speaking’ racism is the explicit use of the terms racism and anti-racism, rather than more palatable or ‘positive’ alternatives. To address racism, using the language of racism and anti-racism is critical, as it acknowledges the presence of racism and, in doing so, overcomes denial. Dispositions to speaking racism and anti-racism are positioned within the historical context of racism and the discourse of tolerance in Australia. Interviews with individuals working in local anti-racism in two sites were the primary data source for exploring dispositions to the language of racism and anti-racism. Reticence to speak racism was prevalent, largely driven by fear of inducing defensiveness and sensitivity to the highly emotive nature of racism. A similar ambivalence around the term anti-racism was found, in line with the ‘positive turn’ in anti-racism policy. Alongside this discomfort, some local anti-racism actors recognized the role that speaking racism could play in challenging denial.

Keywords:

• racism
• anti-racism
• denial
• discourse
• Australia
• local government

Acknowledgements

The author would like to thank Professor Kevin Dunn for his helpful comments on an earlier version of this manuscript.

Funding

This research was supported by an Australian Research Council Linkage Grant [LP0882860, Constructing regionally appropriate anti-racism strategies for Australia].

Additional information

Funding

Funding: This research was supported by an Australian Research Council Linkage Grant [LP0882860, Constructing regionally appropriate anti-racism strategies for Australia].

Notes on contributors

Jacqueline K. Nelson

JACQUELINE NELSON is Senior Research Officer in the School of Social Sciences and Psychology at the University of Western Sydney.