Advertisement
Home Latest News

Australians Are Sharing Heartbreaking Stories Of Racism On New Hashtag #FreedomOfSpeech

The public responds to the government's changes to the Racial Discrimination Act.

Yesterday, which was also Harmony Day, Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull announced the government’s decision to change the Racial Discrimination Act in Australia to remove the words ‘insult’ and ‘offend’ and replace them with ‘harass’.

Advertisement

He explained that the decision to change section 18C of the RDA will encourage ‘free speech’, and added that “cartoonists like the late, great Bill Leak will no longer have to look over their shoulder.”

For those who don’t remember Bill Leak, he was the one who created this *charming* cartoon about Indigenous Dads.

The public has responded with outrage to the change, and the #FreedomOfSpeech hashtag on Twitter has encouraged people to come forward with their stories of racism.

Writer Benjamin Law started the hashtag in response to Turnbull’s decision.

Advertisement
Advertisement

Others instantly came forward with their stories, and all are horrifying.

https://twitter.com/sharnatweets/status/844055503391014913
Advertisement

Australian Olympian and former federal Senator Nova Peris even shared a horrifying letter which was addressed ‘Senator Nova Peris – Dirty Black Abbo’

Advertisement

She also shared some of the comments she’d received on her Facebook page.

Advertisement

Related stories


Advertisement