I'm Not Racist, But ... 40 Years of the Racial Discrimination Act

by Tim Soutphommasane

Tim Soutphommasane, Australia's Race Discrimination Commissioner, reflects on the national experience of racism and the progress that has been made since the introduction of the Racial Discrimination Act in 1975. As the first federal human rights and discrimination legislation, the Act was a landmark demonstration of Australia's commitment to eliminating racism.

Published to coincide with the Act's fortieth anniversary, this book gives a timely and incisive account of the history of racism, the limits of free speech, the dimensions of bigotry and the role of legislation in our society's response to discrimination.

Genres: Nonfiction

296 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2015

Reviews

[Danial Yazdani · Rating 4 out of 5]

Soutphommasane wrote informatively and with conviction, grounding his claims in a sea of examples and drawing very direct and contextually relevant conclusions. At times, I did hope he would use a wider range of examples - apart from the US Civil Rights Movement and very well known examples - to establish the universality of his thesis beyond Australia’s borders. Nevertheless, I was impressed and finished the work so quickly!

[Harinder · Rating 3 out of 5]

So, for the most part, this is a good workmanlike book about the operation of the Racial Discrimination Act in Australia. And it serves that purpose. But in a couple of areas, it rises above the pedestrian and reaches for the heights. For me, these were the discussion in the book about casual racism and the book's exposition on the nature of friendship.

The naming and explaining of "casual racism" was particularly insightful. This is the racism that people like me probably experience a lot of the time, but only notice some of the time. It happens when someone tells me how well I speak English (usually better than they do!) or when they take great pains to explain something very obvious to me. It takes a bit of time for me to realise that they are responding to the way I look, rather than the person I am. I found it incredibly illuminating to have Mr Soutphommasane's characterisation of this. He is right to say that this is the thin edge of the wedge and that casual racism forms the environment in which worse forms of racism might exist.

The most curious part of the book is the last chapter which sets out the history of western notions of friendship. This is linked - in a somewhat clunky way, I have to say - to the notions of civic friendship which then sets the backdrop for racism. I have to say I don't much get the link and it seems a bit contrived. But I completely loved the beautiful and clear exposition of the development of notions of friendship. It really spoke to me.

[Zohal · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 Stars :)

I love how politically correct this was whilst also raising some really insightful points. I also loved the incorporation of individuals' experiences with racism in between each chapter. :)

[Wendyjune · Rating 3 out of 5]

A good primer. Tim Souhphommasane is the Race Discrimination Commissioner of Australia, and I think that it is important to remember that fact while reading this book. He is in a good position to write a book like this for middle class Australians. At times it felt meek, but the counter balance of the stories that were dispersed throughout the book are a plus. These perspectives give an fuller understanding and a human element to the dry legalities of what the Racial Discrimination Act has begun to give Australia. It is about changing cultures and shifting power, and that takes time.

He walks us through the timeline of it so far, something that all Australians should be taught in school.
The Racial Discrimination Act is now a little over 40 years old and in many ways has done a part in helping to unite and build Australia into the country it now is.

His number crunching helped me understand what Australia now consists of, in terms of who is living here, and those stats give me hope.
His chapter on freedom of speech is crucial in understanding that there is no way that hate speech is part of that concept.
I valued his discussion of what and how a multiculturalism society needs to work as well as delving into race and religion.
The chapter on casual racism and institutionalised racism (which is the scariest), were vital in terms of understanding why this Act is needed, but I feel like the Act is not used as much as it should be. I am also concerned that people are not made more accountable when they abuse the act.

I picked up this book because I am dissatisfied with Australia at the moment, I am not proud of what the Australian government is deciding for me, and I think Souhphommasane drives home a crucial point of how we need to move forward, to change the constitution and to shift the ethos of this county. To have the whole story told, not just the last couple of hundred of years.

If you are interested in what Australia is and where it is going Richard Flanagan talks eloquently on the subject here:

http://www.abc.net.au/news/programs/n...

[Fay · Rating 3 out of 5]

A timely review of Australia's proud and not so proud history of welcoming new Australians. Apart from our continuing poor relationship to the first inhabitants, the Aboriginal people, Tim outlines our history of migration and open hostility or the casual racism that is so hard to avoid. Casual racism includes things like commenting on how well people of colour speak English or explaining something simply for someone of colour.
The chapter on hate speech was very helpful - pointing out that if someone is getting hurt by what you are saying it then it is not curtailing your freedom of speech to expect you to stop.
I especially enjoyed the short stories of different forms of racism experienced by some of our famous migrants -Christos Tsiolkas, Alice Pung, Maxine Beneba Clarke and more.

I don't read many non-fiction books so this was a good change.

[Guy Williams · Rating 4 out of 5]

A highly insightful education into the current state and demographics of racist ideologies and understanding in Australia.

An important read, not just for Australians, but for everyone to understand the damaging nature of racism in all forms and the legislation designed to protect people from it.

[Sue Gross · Rating 2 out of 5]

only read parts of it, the stories by other authors were interesting

[Avanthi Jothidas · Rating 5 out of 5]

insightful to read, especially as a minority in Australia

[Tabitha Ormiston-Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

This wonderful book should be read by every Australian.