The Australian Psychological Society (APS) supports the equal rights and treatment of all people and condemns racial profiling or any activities in which people are negatively judged or stereotyped based on race.
“The APS remains concerned that the public dialogue on race is divisive,” says APS President Ms Ros Knight. “Not only can racism damage mental health, it also tears at the unity and cohesion of our society.”
“The APS calls on all parties and all leaders to demonstrate and promote tolerance, and condemn victim-blaming and scape-goating,” she added.
The APS Position Paper on Racism and Prejudice acknowledges it’s important to recognise and work against institutional racism, where an institution or system takes a dominant group as the ‘normal’ and ‘standard’ against which minority groups are seen as 'abnormal' or 'inferior', or in cases where prejudice is an act of omission and the needs or issues of the minority are not considered or are overlooked.
“Leadership in denouncing racism and promoting acceptance is important, and there are also many constructive strategies that individuals can employ to combat racism,” says Ms Knight.
Tips for addressing racism
More about the work of the APS advocacy around racism
For more information, or to arrange an interview call the APS Media team on 03 8662 3358 / 0435 896 444, or email. Find the APS Media team on Twitter: @AustPsych
The APS is the largest professional organisation for psychologists in Australia, representing more than 27,000 members. The APS is committed to advancing psychology as a discipline and profession. It spreads the message that psychologists make a difference to people’s lives, through improving psychological knowledge and community wellbeing.