What are some of the sources, causes and factors that contribute to racism in Australia?
It was recognised that the causes of racism in Australia are complex, inter-related and change over time, and that there is no single overriding causal factor that can explain all forms of racism in Australian society. The causes of racism will also vary according to factors such as local or regional circumstances and prevailing economic conditions. There are also multiple forms of racism – ranging from explicit ideologies of racial superiority through to more covert or indirect forms of racism, and structural inequalities (which are reflected economically in the labour market in particular). At a structural level, racism is tied to the distribution of power and privilege in Australian society, and is about its maintenance in social, cultural, political and economic spheres. Because of this, the suggestion that racism is irrational was rejected – it is used to rationalise power differentials in societies across the world (and historically was a main justification for slavery and coloni
