Individuals can make a difference to racism, say psychologists

There are effective strategies to combat racism and individual actions can make a difference, according to the Australian Psychological Society (APS).

The APS is releasing these tips in response to recent debate around racism in the Australian community sparked by Adam Goodes’ experience.

Associate Professor Winnifred Louis, Convenor of the APS Psychologists for Peace Interest Group, says because we are social beings we are greatly influenced by what people do, especially those within our circle or who we respect. “This creates the opportunity to be an advocate by taking a few simple actions that model desired behaviour,” she says.

“Australians can also play a key role in promoting positive change by progressing personal friendships, taking stands in public and supporting the interests of minority groups in workplaces, community organisations and political life,” says Assoc Prof Louis.

Tips for addressing racism:

1. Focus on your own peer group: Anti-racism strategies are most effective delivered within a peer group. People are more likely to listen and respect a message that comes from someone they relate to whether a friend, family member, religious representative or political representative. When people feel they are being “told off” by an outsider, they tend to reject the message.
2. Portray tolerant behaviour as widely accepted: Emphasising that tolerant behaviour is expected, appropriate and morally right is more likely to be effective than emphasising the scale of the problem. Talking about how widespread racism is can inadvertently support people’s views and make them believe that they are with the majority in being prejudiced or that racism is “normal”.
3. Make friends from diverse backgrounds and encourage your children to do so: Research shows that exposure to people of different backgrounds and having friends from childhood who are from diverse cultural backgrounds reduces racism and increases warmth between groups.
4. Communicate inclusive attitudes and actions: We are greatly influenced by our friends, family, colleagues and peers so you can be an anti-racism advocate by talking positively about your friendships with people from different cultural backgrounds within your network. The more acceptance is seen as normal, the more likely people are to adopt accepting behaviours and attitudes.
5. Use your status to spread the message: People with status and influence (politicians, sportspeople, musicians and actors) can use their influence to spread the anti-racism message among those who support and follow them.
6. Don’t allow racism to seem normal by staying silent: Silence can be taken for agreement so it is important to speak up against racism, if it is safe and appropriate to do so. This doesn’t need to be an argument or a rant – a short, warmly delivered, direct contradiction followed by a positive comment is likely to be effective.
7. Think carefully before calling someone racist: Calling someone a racist might put them on the defensive. One on one, it is better to talk about your personal experience. Listening and understanding the basis of someone’s views can help you to make an appropriate and persuasive counter-argument (You love Australia and want to protect what we have but throughout our history people of all races have made contributions to the country).
8. Politics matter: Coordinated political and social action is critical for promoting legal change and social change in regard to people’s beliefs and behaviours.