The disturbing instances of racism against an Indian cricketer are a reminder that racism is always there and we need to oppose it. It was good to see 6 people ejected from the ground and well done by the Indian cricketer for calling it out.

Racism hurts individuals and communities.
Individuals
A study of over 800 Australian secondary school students found that racism had huge mental health impacts on young people who experience it, including:
- ongoing feelings of sadness, anger, depression and being left out
- headaches, increased heart rate, sweating, trembling and muscle tension
- a constant fear of being verbally or physically attacked
- not wanting to go to school
- having little or no trust in anybody apart from family. 1
Communities
Australia is now a very culturally diverse country – about half of us were born overseas or had one or more parents born overseas. When racial tensions develop, they don’t just affect one or two of us – they affect us all… as neighbours, workmates, friends and fellow Australians.
Racism creates a society where people don’t trust and respect each other.
When it’s allowed to flourish, it lessens us as a people.
Let’s all take a strong stand against racism.
(Thanks to the Australian Human Rights Commission for some of the above)