Constructing Racism in Australia

There is a dearth of empirical evidence on the extent of racist attitudes, broadly defined, in Australia. A telephone survey of 5056 residents in Queensland and NSW examined attitudes to cultural difference, perceptions of the extent of racism, tolerance of specific groups, ideology of nation, perceptions of Anglo-Celtic cultural privilege, and belief in racialism, racial separatism and racial hierarchy. The research was conducted within a social constructivist understanding of racisms. Racist attitudes are positively associated with age, non-tertiary education, and to a slightly lesser extent with those who do not speak a language other than English, the Australia-born, and with males. Anti-Muslim sentiment is very strong, but there is also a persistence of some intolerance against Asian, Indigenous and Jewish Australians. Those who believe in racial hierarchy and separatism (old racisms) are a minority and are largely the same people who self-identify as being prejudiced. The ‘new racisms’ of cultural intolerance, denial of Anglo-privilege and narrow constructions of nation have a much stronger hold. Nonetheless, sociobiologically related understandings of race and nation remain linked to these new racisms. Narrow understandings of what constitutes a nation (and a community) are in tension with equally widely held liberal dispositions towards cultural diversity and dynamism. Encouragingly, most respondents recognise racism as a problem in Australian society and this is a solid basis for anti-racism initiatives. Dr Kevin Dunn is a Senior Lecturer in the Geography Program, University of New South Wales, where he teaches social and cultural geography. Associate Professor Jim Forrest is head of the Department of Human Geography at Macquarie University, Sydney. His interests are in ethnic segregation, racism and social conditions. Professor Ian Burnley is Visiting Professor in Geography Program, University of New South Wales. His areas of research are Immigration and its impact on cities; the adjustment of immigrant communities and generations; and mobility of people in Australia. Ms Amy McDonald was Research Assistant, Geography Program, University of New South Wales. Her research interests are the geographies of racism and health.