Racism is a significant social problem that diminishes the social fabric of society, creates social tension and impacts on the life chances of the people involved. It impacts upon those who perpetuate it, on those who are at the 'receiving end', as well as on those who are not directly involved in the problem. Within the complexities of a globalized world, with its networks of actors and processes, racism is constantly changing its form and impacts. This book examines the contemporary forms of racisms evolving within this context, moving beyond the traditional idea of a single monolithic racism based on biology or culture. It offers new perspectives on theorising the new racisms and looks at the intersections with different forms of prejudice and discrimination such as sexism and ageism. The book places the discussion of racism within the contemporary discussions of the 'War on Terror' and the allied issues of 'Islamaphobia' and the 'New Antisemitism', excavating the many elements involved including the media and the State, using case studies from across the world to highlight these. The final section focuses on the challenges in developing a discourse on anti-racism as well as presents strategies towards a platform for action.
About the Author: Professor Hurriyet Babacan is Professor of Social and Cultural Development at Victoria University, Melbourne. Hurriyet has over 20 years of experience in senior roles as an academic, public servant, community worker, researcher and trainer in the government, community and university sectors. Professor Babacan has extensive experience as a senior public servant in State and Federal Governments including Executive Director, Multicultural Affairs, Women's Policy and Community Outcomes Branch in the Department of Premier and Cabinet, Queensland Government and Victorian State Manager for Office of Multicultural Affairs in the Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet. Hurriyet has undertaken research on issues of gender, migration, identity, citizenship, racism, multiculturalism, identity and belonging, spatial location and migration, social inclusion and community development. She has published extensively on these issues including an article for UNESCO on gender and development. Hurriyet has been recognised for her work through a number of awards including the Bi-Centenary Medal awarded by the Prime Minister (2002) and the Multicultural Services Award by the Premier of Queensland (1999) for her services to the community and academic life. Narayan Gopalkrishnan is the Founding Director of the Center for Multicultural and Community Development (CMCD), a research center of the University of the Sunshine Coast. Narayan has been training, managing projects, teaching and researching for over 25 years in Australia and overseas, working on issues of diversity, cross-cultural development, aid and human development policy and program and service development, leadership and organisational change. While in India, he was manager of a large aid and development project working with the Indigenous people of Orissa on issues of education, employment, poverty eradication, health and basic infrastructure. In Australia, Narayan has been working in the community and academic sectors, focusing on work with refugees, migrants and indigenous people. He has written extensively in national and international publications and has convened a number of conferences and forums relating to multicultural and immigration matters. He has completed a number of research projects relating to issues of cultural diversity and community engagement as well as provided training to numerous local, state and federal agencies.