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Spotlight on Racism

Politicians and Public Figures

John Lester

John Lester Director, Aboriginal Education and Training, NSW

What do you do?

I'm the inaugural Indigenous Director of Aboriginal Education and Training in the NSW Department of Education and Training

How old are you?

Celebrated my 53rd birthday last week on 31st January 2007

Where were you born?

Sydney

Where did you grow up?

In Redfern until I was about 10yrs old then family moved to Wentworthville, a Western Suburb of Sydney

Describe your cultural/religious/ethnic family background

I'm a Wonnarua man from my nation which is situated in the Upper Hunter Valley in NSW west of Newcastle.

Do you know any other languages? If so what are they?

Unfortunately not but am very interested in language retrieval and revival.

What is your favourite place in the world and why?

Yamba on the NSW North Coast because it brings great memories of my son (Kooreil - meaning shield in Wonnarua) growing up at the beach and my time spent with Yamba Surf Life Saving Club as a life saver and president of the Yamba Surf Club

Have you ever experienced or witnessed racism? How did it make you feel?

Yes unfortunately very often. Even in my senior position in the Department and in life generally I am continually confronted with racist statements, slurs and outright ignorance. At my level it just gets a little more sophisticated

What did you do about it?

I generally confront it and challenge it, if I feel it will help change or educate the situation. In my early days I used to bottle it up and 'like the straw that broke the camel's back', when I had taken enough I would verbally assault the perpetrator. In my even younger days, when I didn't understand the power of words I have resorted wrongly to physical violence which through hard lessons does nothing to advance the anti-racism battle. I am extremely lucky to be in a position where I can influence students knowledge, understanding and richness of 'difference'. Education is a critical tool in the fight against ignorance and racism.

What advice would you give kids experiencing racism?

Each one of us is different and that is a very good thing! We should celebrate our differences and learn from one another so that we might understand each other better. Feel proud of who you are and what makes you different and remember there are a lot of other people out there just as different and interesting as you. I'm very proud to be an Aboriginal person and I have made some very wonderful friends all over the world. I am lucky!

What kind of Australia would you like to see for our children?

Old Uncle Chicka Dixon, a wise old Aboriginal person once said to me, 'treat everyone as you would your own brother and sister, and cherish the earth as your mother'. I would like an Australia and world like that!