People Are Using #FreedomOfSpeech To Share Their Experiences Of Racism
Malcolm Turnbull has introduced changes to weaken Australia's race hate laws.
Today Malcolm Turnbull announced that the federal government was going to weaken Section 18C of the Racial Discrimination Act. The proposed changes would make it legal to insult, offend and humiliate people on the basis of their race, colour or national or ethnic origin.
It got some people questioning the government’s priorities.
Reminder: Australia made it easier for people to be racist to minorities before they made it easy for same-sex couples to get married.
— Luke Hopewell ⚡️ (@lukehopewell) March 21, 2017
In parliament today Turnbull claimed the changes were about “standing up for the freedom of speech that underpins our society.” But Labor MPs pointed out that the change is specifically about allowing people to offend and humiliate others on the basis of their race.
“What exactly does the Prime Minister want people to be able to say that they cannot say now?” Labor’s Anne Aly asked.
“I believe all Australians are absolutely opposed to racism in any form,” Turnbull said, which is an absolute lie.
On Twitter, writer Benjamin Law asked people to share their experiences of racism using the hashtag #FreedomOfSpeech.
To celebrate the Coalition tampering with the RDA on #HarmonyDay, let's share stories of racism with hashtag #FreedomOfSpeech. I'll start.
— Benjamin Law (@mrbenjaminlaw) March 21, 2017
At the age of 10, I was at the local pool as a group of white boys held my head underwater, laughing at me for being Asian. #FreedomOfSpeech
— Benjamin Law (@mrbenjaminlaw) March 21, 2017
Gold Coast, 21, man slams into my shoulder saying, “Fucking gook.” I retaliated, but would’ve been bashed if not for mates. #FreedomOfSpeech
— Benjamin Law (@mrbenjaminlaw) March 21, 2017
Recently (Jan): being told that I smell surprisingly good, for someone of my background #FreedomOfSpeech
— Ketan Joshi (@KetanJ0) March 21, 2017
Law school, my black friend gets measles.They mark me 2 wks absent instead of her.We complain.They say we r 'playing games' #FreedomofSpeech
— Maxine Beneba Clarke (@slamup) March 21, 2017
I've been called a terrorist too many times to count. I've been stopped by cops + other authorities too many times to count #FreedomofSpeech
— Omar Sakr (@OmarjSakr) March 21, 2017
90s: a man asked what race I was. I proudly said I'm Ghanaian & Chinese. He replies "you're not only a n****r but a 'gook' "#FreedomOfSpeech
— Faustina Agolley (@Faustinathefuzz) March 21, 2017
90s: almost veered off the road w/ my Chinese Mum & Aunt by a group of white men yelling "go back to where you came from!" #FreedomofSpeech
— Faustina Agolley (@Faustinathefuzz) March 21, 2017
Within an hour the hashtag had started trending nationally. It was a powerful example of how diverse voices can be elevated on a topic that has largely been dominated by conservative white men.
I was called a 'bloody Muslim' on the school run, in front of my daughter. Now don't wear my hijab when she's with me. #FreedomofSpeech https://t.co/ezLW6Xnym2
— Sarah Ruby (@SarahCielique) March 21, 2017
Being called a "fucking curry" from a passing car while I was minding my own business at a tram stop #FreedomofSpeech
— Sonia Nair (@son_nair) March 21, 2017
But, as if to underscore how much of a problem racism is in this country, the abuse soon started to roll in.
#FreedomOfSpeech pic.twitter.com/n9OoVVwf0n
— Benjamin Law (@mrbenjaminlaw) March 21, 2017
Pictured: me versus every sad and lonely neo-nazi, dingo tweetin', pepe-fuckin' loser @-ing me right now. pic.twitter.com/aBAh9G76zd
— Benjamin Law (@mrbenjaminlaw) March 21, 2017
The proposed changes to Section 18C aren’t law yet. They still need to get through the Senate, and so far it looks like a tough ask for the government. Labor, the Greens and the Nick Xenophon Team are all opposed to the changes.
The Labor party is the only party in the Senate that actually has people of colour in its ranks. Regardless of how the vote goes in parliament, the overwhelming majority of people decided the future of our race hate laws will never have to rely on them for protection.