Open

letter to all Australians

Everyone belongs.

Australians come from all over the world, seeking opportunity to make the best
life for themselves and their families.

Recently, crime reporting has focused disproportionately on African-Australians,
while positive coverage has leached away. When this is the only story being told
about any single group of people, it has negative impacts. African-Australians are
being targeted on the streets and online with racial taunts and sometimes
violence. It affects our ability to feel that we too, belong.

Public figures should not use racist slurs or discriminatory language for political
gain.

We call on all Australian politicians to cease racial targeting. We call on every
party to recognise the affects their words have on the everyday lives of people in
our communities.

Australian media outlets must no longer make racist connections between any
person’s race, colour or ethnicity and their likelihood to commit a crime.

We call on journalists, editors and commentators not to reinforce black-crime
stereotypes and anti-immigrant prejudice. We ask that you broaden your
narrative to the full contribution of African-Australians and all migrants.

Today is Harmony Day - the International Day for the Elimination of Racial
Discrimination. We call on all Australians to stand with us, against racism and
discrimination wherever it occurs.

SIGNED
Kot Monoah, representing the South Sudanese Community Association
Ahmed Dini, representing United Through Football & Centre for Community Relations
Monica Deng and John Kuot, representing South Sudanese Australia Youth United Inc.
Alor Deng, Salaam's African Liaison Officer at Maribyrnong College
Dorcas Utkovic, representing OZ AFRICAN TV
Fred Alal and Shillar Sibanda, representing Africa Day Australia
Bem Ikyanyon, representing the African Music and Cultural Festival
Nyok John Achuoth Gor, representing the South Sudan Australia Peace Initiative
Dr Apollo S Nsubuga-Kyobe, representing the Pan African Australasian Diaspora
Network (PAADN), African Think Tank Inc., and the Goulburn Valley African
Communities Association (GV African Association)