O que fazer se for testemunha de atitudes racistas?

Quase 40 por cento dos atos racistas acontecem em espaços públicos, no entanto quase metade de nós não temos certeza - ou ficamos relutantes - para intervir. Dilvin Yasa explica como reagir e fazer diferença.

Train story

Source: Moment Editorial

 showed that of the 601 people surveyed, one in three reported that they’d witnessed a racist incident within the past year, yet almost half did nothing to intervene.

Priscilla Bryce is managing director of , a not-for-profit organisation dedicated solely to addressing racism, and says she can understand why so many are reluctant to speak up.

“Research shows that people often remain inactive because they don’t want to be the first person to take action -they’re more likely to assist if someone else initiates a response,” she says.

“But also, people can also remain quiet if they don’t feel safe to speak up or step in, or if they feel unsure of what to do or say to help.”

Here's what you can do

While Bryce doesn’t recommend stepping in personally in an unsafe environment, she says there’s plenty people can do to assist both the person being attacked and in some cases, even the police.

She recommends:

1. Speaking up in a way that isn’t inflammatory to the abuser.

“Rather than shout at them that they’re a racist, instead just quietly ask them, ‘Why would you say something like that?” advises Bryce, who adds that making accusations can often send tempers flaring.
Stop Racism Now
Ugandan refugee Jafri Katagar Source: SBS

2. Sitting next to the person being abused, or helping them move away from the attack.

“Whether you’re moving them to another carriage or just speaking with them to distract them, they’ll feel less vulnerable knowing they’ve got some support by their side,” says Bryce.
public transport can spread germs
Alcohol-based hand rubs can be useful after using public transport if you’re away from soap and water. Bikeworldtravel/Shutterstock Source: The Conversation

3. Exchanging contact details with any other witnesses present, which will help assist police with their investigations.

“If you report the incident to the police (and you should), having a collective report will make for a stronger case against the perpetrator.”
A NSW Police officer is seen in Sydney, Wednesday, May 6, 2015. (AAP Image/Dan Himbrechts) NO ARCHIVING
A NSW Police officer is seen in Sydney, Wednesday, May 6, 2015. (AAP Image/Dan Himbrechts) NO ARCHIVING Source: AAP

4. Filming the incident on your phone and giving the footage to the police.

“I don’t like such footage being used as sensationalist news stories, but they can be useful because the target of the attack can then use the footage to make a quick case to the Human Rights Commission or to the police,” says Bryce. In some cases, filming the attack can also stop a perpetrator in their tracks.
Man looking at phone
Source: Getty Images

5. Asking yourself why are people behaving this way and educating yourself.

“I always recommend people check out  which is run by the , and to download the Everyday Racism app on their phone as a first step,” says Bryce.

“Learning how to support one another is important, but we also need to be asking why it is we behave the way we do in the first place?”
racism
Source: Getty Images





Face Up To Racism  with a season of stories and programs challenging preconceptions around race and prejudice. Tune in to watch Is Australia Racist? (airs on Sunday 26 February at 8.30pm), Date My Race (airs Monday 27 February at 8.30pm) and The Truth About Racism (airs Wednesday 1 March at 8.30pm).


Watch all the documentaries online after they air on . 
 


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Published 3 March 2017 5:27pm
Updated 3 March 2017 5:34pm
By Dilvin Yasa
Presented by Beatriz Wagner
Source: SBS Life


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