Tasmanians take on racism
By Iggy Kim
HOBART — The newly formed Tasmanians Against Racism (TAR) has been meeting since January 14. Its members come from a variety of organisations, including Women's International League for Peace and Freedom, Community Aid Abroad, the Ethnic Communities Council, Health Professionals for Global Responsibility and the Tasmanian Environment Centre.
TAR's coordinator, Martin Gibson, works at the Migrant Resource Centre and, along with other MRC staff, initiated the umbrella organisation in the wake of the Pauline Hanson controversy.
"We became aware here that people were getting hurt", Gibson told Green Left Weekly. "People talking [among themselves] in their own language were being told to speak English. The Education Department was getting reports of increased vilification in schools."
Gibson envisages a long-term awareness-raising campaign. "We want to expose the many racist myths around issues like unemployment and do more educational work, cross-cultural awareness training ... We want to provide a community response to racism in Tasmania."
TAR is planning a community action on March 22 at Salamanca Markets, consisting of a march, rally and multicultural concert. This will be preceded on March 21 by the launch of an anti-racist ribbon-wearing campaign.
There has also been some discussion of persisting racial inequalities and how they might be challenged within the framework of an inspiring action. Future plans include a long-term community education campaign aimed particularly at young people in Hobart and its suburbs.
TAR requires active involvement by more people to enhance its effectiveness. All Hobart residents wishing to join the struggle against racism and become part of a lively campaigning group should contact Martin Gibson on (03) 6234 9411.