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Spotlight on Racism

Television

Santo Cilauro

Santo Cilauro Photo supplied by Working Dog Pty Ltd

What do you do?

Writer/TV Presenter/Filmaker.
(Frontline, The Late Show, The Castle, The Panel, The Dish)

How old are you?

38 years old.

Where were you born?

Melbourne.

Describe your cultural/religious/ethnic family background

Parents migrated from Italy and Egypt. Catholic, Inner City.

What is your favourite place in the world and why?

Rome. Beautiful classical architecture. Lots of Caravaggio paintings and a constant reminder that all empires die.

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

Yes, lots of Italians/Greeks at my school who treated the Australian minority pretty badly, lots of other examples of racism from other ethnic groups at the soccer and at the wrestling. It made me feel embarrased and ashamed.

What did you do about it?

Refused to partake.

What advice would you give kids experiencing racism?

Laugh at the attackers.

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

A society where no one pre-judges anyone else. A place where the suppression of emotions is not treated as a virtue.