Greek Bajan Koko shares her thoughts on racism in Australia

·

ABC Everyday reporter Yasmin Jeffrey asked five people from different cultural backgrounds, who all grew up in Australia, to entertain the idea of an anti-racist Australia.

Koko, 29, says she has experienced racism as a Greek-Bajan woman in Australia.

She hopes that Australia will one day accept people of all cultures and backgrounds.

“We’re already so multicultural here, but we won’t be anti-racist until we embrace all cultures and backgrounds and end assimilation,” Koko tells ABC Everyday.

”An anti-racist future would mean not feeling like you have to choose, like you can be everything.”

She wonders what life would be like in an anti-racist world. 

“If I lived in an anti-racist world, I think I’d know myself more. I wouldn’t feel like I have to strive to live along the lines of the society that’s been embedded since we started school. I’d be able to embrace everything that makes me, me,” Koko says.

“And what would grow in the absence of [racism]? Would there be less homophobia and sexism and ableism too? What impact would it have on the environment if we listened to the people whose land we’re living on?”

Source: ABC Everyday

Share:

KEEP UP TO DATE WITH TGH

By subscribing you accept our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.

Latest News

Australian Ambassador to Greece meets with President of the Hellenic Parliament

Alison Duncan, Australia’s Ambassador to Greece, met with Nikitas Kaklamanis, President of the Hellenic Parliament.

Ecumenical Patriarch attends Ramadan Iftar in Ankara

Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew travelled to Ankara on Tuesday, March 10, following an invitation from Recep Tayyip Erdogan.

St Basil’s aged care home in Victoria fined over COVID-19 safety breach

St Basil’s Home for the Aged has been convicted and fined $150,000 over workplace safety failures during a COVID-19 outbreak in 2020.

Matt Canavan elected new Nationals leader following Littleproud resignation

Outspoken Queensland Senator Matt Canavan has been elected leader of the Nationals after David Littleproud’s surprise resignation.

Drew Pavlou claims role in bringing Iranian women’s football team case to Trump’s attention

Australian activist Drew Pavlou says he helped draw global attention to the plight of the Iran women's national football team.

You May Also Like

Turkey confirms release of jailed man to attend son’s funeral in Greece after train crash

Turkey's Foreign Minister confirms release of jailed man to attend son's funeral in Greece after deadly train crash.

Crete among top 10 adventure and wellness destinations in 2023

Crete named one of the top 10 destinations in the world for adventure and wellness tourism in 2023, according to Hosteltur.

Greek Australian twins named on Subway Joeys squad for ASEAN championship

Alexi and James Houridis have been named on the Subway Joeys squad to contest the 2024 ASEAN U-16 Boys’ Championship in Indonesia.