Viral hashtag uncovers stories of everyday racism people face in Australia
Australia's government will push for changes to its race hate laws, and the internet is far from pleased about it.
Conservative politicians and pundits have long pushed for alterations to Section 18C of the Racial Discrimination Act, which protects people from acts intended to "offend, insult, humiliate or intimidate" on the basis of race.
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On Tuesday, the country's Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull announced he would make changes: The word "intimidate" will remain, but "offend, insult and humiliate" will be replaced with the word "harass."
Progressive politicians from Labor and the Greens have long been against changes to the act, arguing that it would significantly soften protections for people being discriminated against on the basis of race or ethnicity.
In response to changes to the act, Australian writer Benjamin Law — whose parents are originally from Hong Kong — tweeted his experiences of discrimination under 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
Last week a white Australian said about a speech I gave, "You speak better English than me and I've been here all my life." #FreedomOfSpeech
— Benjamin Law (@mrbenjaminlaw) March 21, 2017
Soon, the hashtag — referencing a phrase often used in defence of discriminatory behaviour — was trending around Australia, filling Twitter with people's unsettling experiences of racism.
@mrbenjaminlaw People would introduce me and say "This is Andre, he's a Leb, but he's not one those Lebs" so group would feel comfortable#FreedomOfSpeech
— Andre Georges (@dredresyd) March 21, 2017
Carload of white boys yelled "I like your slopehead girlfriend" & chucked food at us in a Maccas carpark. #FreedomOfSpeech @mrbenjaminlaw
— squig (@squig_) March 21, 2017
90s:Play for the Eastern Bulls, bullied by a team mate b/c I'm black. Persuaded by organisers to stay as "that's how it is" #FreedomofSpeech
— Faustina Agolley (@Faustinathefuzz) March 21, 2017
Last year explained what structural racism is on JJJ and two white dudes tracked me down online to berate me. #FreedomOfSpeech
— Bhakthi (@bhakthi) March 21, 2017
The overt effect of racist speech is to make you feel lesser. Less "normal". Less loved. Less equal. Less able. Less human. #FreedomofSpeech
— Omar Sakr (@OmarjSakr) March 21, 2017
the stories under this #freedomofspeech hashtag started by @mrbenjaminlaw are horrifying pic.twitter.com/72SdsQEJI8
— Josh Butler (@JoshButler) March 21, 2017
When we performed Wannabe at our primary school talent show, I remember having to be Scary Spice because I was the dark one #FreedomOfSpeech
— Shaambavi Sivasub... (@Shami_Siva) March 21, 2017
Sad how many memories surface from #FreedomofSpeech. Reluctant to share. But they sit with you & it can take years to process the deep hurt
— Kumi Taguchi | 田口久実 (@kumitaguchi) March 21, 2017
When I was 6yo a white boy told me to go back to where I come from. I'm Aboriginal. Not very bright these racists #freedomofspeech
— Rebecca Anarchist (@becyyboo) March 21, 2017
#FreedomofSpeech pic.twitter.com/l3UnWEbztW
— Nova Peris OAM (@NovaPeris) March 21, 2017
Turnbull said a press conference changes to the act would "strengthen the protections of Australians from racial vilification, and strengthen protections to free speech."
Based off the experiences of many Australians on Twitter, the changes to law likely won't do much to protect them from everyday racism, and "free speech" seems alive and well.
