Racial discrimination not harmonious
By MARK MORDUE
Saturday 21 March is International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination, a day that is supported by the United Nations; however, in Australia it goes by another term.
Rosanna Barbero, CEO for Addison Road Community Organisation in Marrickville (Addi Rd), is outraged by the name-change. All over the world the 21 March is known as International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination. Only in Australia has it been rebranded as Harmony Day, diluting its relevance.
Its meaningless to do that, Barbero said, especially given our history and the treatment of indigenous Australians. So, while the rest of the world is talking about racism and discrimination, in Australia the message is be harmonious, to keep your head in the sand and dont make waves.
Multicultural network
As an active member and co-convenor of the Inner West Multicultural Network, Addi Rd is organising the inaugural Inner West March and Festival for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination to realign the tribute with the rest of the world.
The Inner West Multicultural Network contains 120 civil-society organisations, with its secretariat provided by Inner West Council.
We come together in the belief that we must challenge harmful forces that are growing in our society, Barbero said. We believe that a unified and diverse community, speaking up and taking action, shows the best way forward at this critical time.
Barberos words echo those of UN Secretary-General António Guterres in support of the international awareness day. We must all work harder to repair the fissures and polarization that are so prevalent in our societies today, Guterres declared. We must nurture mutual understanding and invest in making diversity a success.
And we must counter and reject political figures who exploit differences for electoral gain.”
Concerns over growing racism have been confirmed with an announcement from the Ethnic Communities Council of NSW (ECCNSW) expressing its unyielding support today to Asian-Australian communities who have been marginalised due to fear over Covid19 (corona) virus.
ECCNSW Chair Peter Doukas OAM stated that Chinese-Australians continue to be insulted in the streets and suburbs where they live and work. This is shameful.
Rally against racism
The march and festival start at Enmore Park at 10am. After an Acknowledgement of Country and words from local Indigenous Elders, the crowd will march along Addison Road, with flags, banners, percussion and music.
This means the march can travel in the style of the multicultural street parades held in Marrickville in the 1970s and 80s, said Mina Bui Jones, Living Museum coordinator for Addi Road Community Organisations. It will be a visible expression of the diversity of our community.
Once the march reaches Addi Rd, festivities begin at 11am. Guest speakers include Thinethavone Tim Soutphommasane (former Race Discrimination Commissioner at the Australian Human Rights Commission) and representatives from many different groups dealing with racism every day.
There will also be music, dance and other entertainment, as well as an Open Mic for poets and performers. Workshops and food stalls will reflect the multicultural and community spirit.
Addi Road is really the birthplace of multiculturalism in Australia, Ms Barbero explained. In 1976, the grounds were handed over to us to manage for the community, thanks largely to the ethnic welfare groups who campaigned for a common space.
She revealed the slogan for the day: Addison Road Community Organisation says there is, NO HARMONY IN RACISM.
The inaugural Inner West March and Festival for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination starts at Enmore Park at 10am on Saturday 21 March.
