There’s Nothing Casual about Racism: International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination

For some, it comes as exclusion, stereotyping or the quiet ways people are made to feel unwelcome. Whether experienced by First Nations peoples, migrants, refugees or people from culturally and linguistically diverse communities, the result is the same: people are excluded, disadvantaged and denied opportunities.

The International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination is not just a date on the calendar. It’s a call to action and a reminder that racism is never harmless. 

The Human Rights Commission’s “There’s Nothing Casual About Racism” campaign reminds us that ending racism isn’t someone else’s job. It doesn’t sit only with governments or organisations. It sits with all of us, in what we say, what we do and what we choose not to ignore.

Being “not racist” isn’t enough.

Not being racist is passive, it’s quiet and it doesn’t disrupt harm. Anti-racism, on the other hand, is active. It asks us to step forward, to speak up when something isn’t right, to challenge stereotypes and to support those experiencing discrimination. It asks us to be upstanders, not bystanders.

And yes, that can feel uncomfortable. But change rarely happens in comfort.

At OzChild, this belief is at the core of what we do and it’s reflected in our Stretch Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP) which guides our work alongside Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities – and in our broader commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion across all communities we serve through our Diversity, Equity and Inclusion work.

Anti-racism isn’t a statement, it’s a practice. It’s something we must choose, again and again.

We hold a zero-tolerance stance toward racism in all its forms, including racism experienced by people from culturally and linguistically diverse communities. Everyone deserves to feel safe, respected and valued, in our services, our workplaces and our communities.

On this International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination, we’re reminded that progress is possible, but only if we’re willing to be part of it.

So the question is simple:

When the moment comes, what will you do?

Because if not you, then who? And if not now, then when?

There’s nothing casual about racism, and it starts with all of us.

Are you ready to take action and be an upstander against racism? Here are some great resources to help you reflect on how racism is experienced, and tools to help you combat it.

1. Ask yourself the hard questions. Do you truly understand racism?

To understand the role of racism in our society and the impact it has on different people, ask yourself these questions and view these thought-provoking clips from the HRC website: