You’re in a classroom on campus meeting your peers for the first time. You hear someone ask a student of colour, ‘where are you from?’
The question itself might seem harmless – even common – but consider what it means for people of colour. Consider the question from a white-Anglo perspective – is it common to be asked where you are from?
What does it say about how accepted you feel within a given group of people, or in Australia? How often are you delivered this little reminder of difference? People of colour are regularly asked such questions. Why? The answer: everyday racism.
Racism occurs in routine exchanges in everyday life. It can come in the form of a subtle or seemingly normal action, assumption, comment or question.
Critical race academic Dr Philomena Essed, at Antioch University, says that everyday racism connects structural forces of racism with routine situations in everyday life. Everyday racism occurs (and recurs) in familiar situations. It exposes a racist history and highlights power relationships built around the idea of racial difference.
As a culturally, ethnically and linguistically diverse university, we need to recognise what everyday racism looks like on campus and how we can combat racism in all its forms.
We want to unpack this by focussing on three common experiences of everyday racism – ‘alien in own land’, ‘colour blindness', and ‘assuming intelligence’ – identified in a 2007 report – that might come with good intentions, yet hold negative meanings.
‘Where are you really from?’ … ‘Your English is good’
Asking someone ‘where are you really from?’ builds off the assumption that they’re not local, or that you don’t think they belong. The question makes someone feel othered, or as the report describes, ‘alien in their own land’.
This is the same line of thinking that underpins the unsolicited ‘compliment’‘your English is good’. Maybe this wouldn’t be weird if a new friend you made in class was asking about their six-month progress while learning English. But for people who may have lived in Australia or learnt English in childhood, it’s offensive to hear because it’s loaded with presumptions about their non-white skin and their English fluency.
‘I don’t see race/colour’, ‘You’re not ___, you’re just Australian’
A person who says this might be well meaning. Maybe they are trying to reassure a friend that all people are equal. But it could also be a way of avoiding discomfort stirred up by the topic of race.
Ignoring someone’s race is an example of ‘colour blindness.’ It can mean ignoring a history and cultural background that forms a large part of identity. People deserve to be recognised and acknowledged.
Skin colour is one aspect of race, but so are ancestry, religion, accent, language, and culture. These still inform how you navigate the world and how you are treated in it. Refusing to see colour might mean being less able to empathise or understand a friend whose experiences will be informed by their race or perceived race. Racism is a real issue that people still deal with, and ignoring race means being less equipped to support a friend who lives through it.
And think of it this way: If you don’t see race, you don’t see racism.
‘Can you translate this for me?’ ‘You must be really good at ___’
Assuming intelligence based on ethnicity sounds like a compliment; you’re literally telling them they’re smart, right? But assuming intelligence is a form of everyday racism because it reduces someone’s skills to their ethnicity. Assuming someone knows how to do something by virtue of their ethnicity adds unnecessary pressure on them in the classroom or workplace, and diminishes their achievements.
This is shown in the classroom, where racist stereotyping in academia leads to emotional stress and less assistance for students who may be struggling in class.
Assuming intelligence based on ethnicity can dehumanise a person. This dehumanisation can also undermine the abilities of a student who is presumed to have low English literacy, or is given menial roles in group work by group members.
What are the impacts?
In the words of Philomena Essed, ‘everyday racism is racism, but not all racism is everyday racism’.
Racism is never a one-off event and it’s not carried out by only a few. It is systemic, deep-seated, and perpetuated by ordinary individuals. Importantly, evidence from a 2016 report suggests that the consequences of everyday forms of racism are as considerable as the impacts of overt racism.
The subtleness of everyday racism makes it more difficult to detect over blatant racism, and there are often limited options for reporting and seeking help unless the act is viewed as overt. There is often also an element of ‘gaslighting’ following such incidents which can leave the recipient questioning their experience. But everyday racism is incredibly damaging for individuals. Due to its frequent occurrence, the effects are often chronic in nature.
Act now!
So you might be asking yourself now, what can I do? You might be reflecting on a situation where you may have been an instigator of everyday racism. As racism is inherent in culture and social order, there is a chance we have all done it at one point but it is time to stop.
At UTS we can do better. Now is the time to be anti-racist. Actively combat racism in all its forms to ensure our campus is an inclusive, respectful and safe space.
For more information, see what to do if you witness racism, and learn why it's not enough to be 'not-racist’.