Handout 1
Definitions of racism
1	the belief that human races have distinctive characteristics which determine their respective cultures, usually involving the idea that one’s own race is superior and has the right to rule or dominate others.
2	offensive or aggressive behaviour to members of another race stemming from such a belief.
3	a policy or system of government and society based upon it.
Macquarie Dictionary 1998
Racial discrimination
Racial discrimination is when a person is treated less favourably than another person in a similar situation because of their race, colour, descent, national or ethnic origin or immigrant status.
Racial hatred (sometimes referred to as vilification) is doing something in public based on the race, colour, national or ethnic origin of a person or group of people which is likely to offend, insult, humiliate or intimidate.
Australian Human Rights Commission 2014
What does the law say about Racial Discrimination?
The Racial Discrimination Act 1975 was Australia’s first anti-discrimination law. This law protects everyone in Australia from discrimination on the basis of race. Under the law, discrimination is defined as:
"a distinction, exclusion, restriction or preference based on race, colour, descent or national or ethnic origin which has the purpose or effect of nullifying or impairing the recognition, enjoyment or exercise, on an equal footing, of any human right or fundamental freedom in the political, economic, social, cultural or any other field of public life"