Hi there!

Prior to my arrival in Australia, I have been told to be cautious as Australians are extremely racist and islamophobic. So far, I haven’t been attacked or exposed to discrimination. I was glad about that and felt pretty safe. Until, I came across this online article by Independent Australia with the title “Racist dog whistling over African Gangs proves Turnbull is a hollow man”*. The article is criticizing Prime Minister Malcom Turnbull due to his racist comment regarding terrorism by “African crime gangs” in Melbourne. If there was proof that there is some terrorizing happening by gangs, I would be completely supportive, but when he was asked for evidence, his response was as follows: “I’ve heard people, colleagues from Melbourne, say there is real anxiety about crime in Melbourne.” * He made a public announcement that could put innocent people in a vulnerable place, because he heard something from a friend of a friend!! It’s terrifying that a man of such rank and influence could encourage people to hate on each other. Even more so, is the fact that its 2018 and racism is still a thing. Hence, by making this a story that can be told and shared, we could unify and break the hard shell of racism.

* Hist,M 2018, ‘Racist dog whistling over African Gangs proves Turnbull is a hollow man’, Independent Australia, 20 July,2018, < https://independentaustralia.net/politics/politics-display/racist-dogwhistling-proves-malcolm-turnbull-is-the-hollow-man-of-australian-politics,11710 >.