This morning I delivered a keynote address on ‘Allyship in a Climate of Hate’ for the ‘Together We Stand’ breakfast forum organised by Glen Eira City Council. Following my keynote, a panel discussion ensued on cultural. and religious bigotry in this country and the role of the State and community in addressing it. 

While leadership in Australia has demonstrably contributed to a climate of Islamophobic, antiSemitic, anti black and anti immigrant violence, it’s important to acknowledge  community leaders who work hard to facilitate harmonious coexistence of diverse societies. This forum was about affirming the freedom for individuals to express their religious and cultural beliefs safely and with dignity. A huge thanks to Rachael Kohn for her exceptional moderating skills and to Aunty Carolyn Briggs for centring the ongoing structural racism against our First Nations People that underpin right wing extremism against many minorities. 

I was grateful for the platform to share the cost of Islamophobia, the culpability of the State in furthering it and a huge shout out to those in the sector who tirelessly fight the good fight.

Thank you, Glen Eira City Council, for endorsing a public statement of solidarity. And special thanks to Bo for being the glue that got this off the ground. #makechangehappen #endracism #endislamophobia #endantisemitism #endxenophobia #standtogether2019 @cityofgleneira #tasneemchopra #crossculturalconsultant