Stories of Sydney’s Chinatown

There is a history of anti-Asian prejudice in Australia from the mid-nineteenth century with slurs and negative stereotypes characteristic of white Australia’s image of Asians, their world, and their perceived shortcomings. In reviewing policy and the media over time, these anti-Asian attitudes seem to continue to seep into the mainstream. For example, a survey by the Lowy Institute revealed nearly one in five Chinese-Australians have been threatened or attacked in past year.

To encourage Aussies to explore the levels of racism in all of us – whether overt or unconscious. Reconsider what is in the heart of those in the media and government who fan the flames of racism against Asians?

We want individuals to be able to interpret and understand anti-Asian racism when they hear and see it from the media and politicians. We want to eliminate anti-Asian racism from being a part of Australian culture, acknowledging that social and political issues with relations between countries such as Australia and China should not change how we treat our fellow Asian Australians.

We are working with Australian university historians to understand what life was like for Asians in Australia in the 1850s and 1900s.

We want viewers to reach out with their own Asian Aussie historical stories to share on our socials.