Spotlight interviews
Politicians and Public Figures
Ernie Friedlander OAM
Chairman, Education Task Force,
Alfred Dreyfus Anti Defamation Unit of B'nai B'rith
What do you do?
Anti Racism Programs & Projects Developement
How old are you?
74
Where were you born?
Vienna, Austria
Where did you grow up?
Austria & Hungary
Describe your cultural/religious/ethnic family background
Jewish
Do you know any other languages? If so what are they?
German & Hungarian
What is your favourite place in the world and why?
Sydney Australia, & Italy
Australia has given me and my family a fair go. I have found most people helpful and fair minded which I appreciate very much. Italy I love for its individuality and sense of fun. Most people may scream and are noisy but they have their hearts in the right place.
Have you ever experienced or witnessed racism? How did it make you feel?
Unfortunately - YES - mostly when I was 9, in Hungary -
most of my family were killed because of Nazi racism
What did you do about it?
At the age of 9 NOTHING
What advice would you give kids experiencing racism?
None of it should be acceptable in Australia, most people here are fair minded - but in case it happens - not to ignore it, but confront it , in a pro-active , educational way.
Making the perpetrators aware of the hurt and the offence of it & if necessary take it to the relevant bodies.
What kind of Australia would you like to see for our children?
One that cares and considers people on their merit, assists those that are less fortunate.
