The ten commandments for fighting bigotry

Take racism seriously

Even if it appears to be a harmless racist joke or a sexist remark, treat it seriously. Don’t brush it aside as just silly, unintentional talk. Slurs, offensive words, vicious stereotypes are often the beginning to harassment and physical violence.

Educate

No one is born a bigot. Prejudice is a learned trait. Counter and reject hurtful stereotypes by teaching family and friends about the impact of prejudicial attitudes. Don’t miss the chance to eradicate ignorance. Summon the courage to tell a brother or a grandfather that what they’ve said sounds so cruel. Describe the behaviour, not the person. To be effective, you need to be informed and knowledgeable.

Build a coalition

Call on your friends, family, workmates, neighbours, school, faith group and sport club to unite in the war against hate. There is strength in numbers. Sitting at home with your ideals does no good. There are plenty of decent people ready to share the workload. Each one will pitch an idea and will add creativity and energy.

Lobby politicians

Politicians can be powerful allies and play a vital role in responding to bias. Ask for action, for public statements condemning bias-driven incidents, and for a declaration supporting tolerance. Insist on real solutions that address the root causes of hatred.

Love thy neighbour

Shouting back is important, but channeling your energies into acts of love is also productive. Organise walks, picnics, garage sales, retreats, live music and discussion groups in the name of human rights and equality. Take your family to an ethnic restaurant, encourage them to read books that promote understanding of different cultures, reflect on the music and art you buy. Befriend people from different backgrounds to your own.

Here is a story that illustrates the power of individual action.

A young boy walks along a beach upon which thousands of starfish are stranded. He picks one up and throws it back into the ocean. A man passing by tells the boy that with so many dying starfish, he won’t make a difference. The young boy picks up one more starfish, throws it back into the ocean and says to the man, "It will make a difference to this one!"

All people are valuable, no one is "less than”. For all our differences, we live in and share the one country.

We can make a difference. One act at a time.