Be the reason racism loses its power

Racism is not a distant issue. It lives among us today – in our streets, schools, workplaces and online as an ever-present danger. Our nation’s social cohesion is at its lowest level since 2007.

In the face of this growing reality, the worst thing we can do is stay silent. Being a bystander is a choice. Racism persists through not only the actions of those who spread hate, but also the inaction of those who witness it. That is why it is time for each of us to stop being bystanders – and to start being “upstanders”.

I am the CEO of Courage to Care Victoria, an education charity founded by B’nai B’rith. We work alongside colleagues in NSW and WA to deliver antiracism educational programs to schools across Australia – since inception, we have collectively reached over 400,000 students through our volunteer-led Upstander Programs.

I find deep personal meaning in this work. My roots trace back to the Greek island of Kastellorizo. My grandfather, Michael Mangos, arrived in Australia in 1909 seeking a better life but was met with prejudice. In 1915, anti-immigrant sentiment turned violent when his business in Kalgoorlie was destroyed and he was forced to flee to Melbourne. My family’s story is a stark reminder that racism has deep roots in this country – and its scars are felt through generations.

When I see the terrifying rise of antisemitism, it is personal. It connects to my family’s history and to the daily reality of the communities with whom I work, including our passionate volunteers who dedicate their time to educate the next generation about the dangers of racism and discrimination.

In my role, I observe a deeply troubling pattern: Jewish community events require confidential locations. Jewish schools need armed guards at their entrances – an image that children see each morning, reminding them their safety is under constant threat. Jewish students in non-Jewish schools face unprecedented classroom antisemitism, fuelled by antisemitic content in digital spaces. At universities, discussions of separate entrances and designated “safe areas” has somehow become acceptable.

The urgency of addressing this crisis is underscored by the recent Special Envoy’s Plan to Combat Antisemitism, which recognises that “education is essential to preventing and tackling antisemitism”, warning that “we must prevent the normalisation of antisemitism within the education system.”

At Courage to Care, we teach the importance of becoming an Upstander – someone who notices racism and acts. I have seen firsthand the positive effects of empowering students to take a stance and the harm caused when hate is left unchecked.

The statistics are alarming. According to the Scanlon Foundation’s Mapping Social Cohesion report, social cohesion in Australia has dropped to its lowest level since 2007. The Ethnic Communities’ Council of Victoria found that 76 per cent of Victorians surveyed had experienced racism, yet only 16 per cent reported it. The NSW Jewish Board of Deputies describe the period since October 7 as “unprecedented and shocking”, citing a 339 per cent surge in reported antisemitic incidents. In 12 months, there were more than 2000 antisemitic incidents nationally – three times the previous year’s figure.

Behind every number are real people.

Yet we are not powerless. We all have a choice.

Being an Upstander means noticing racism and choosing to respond. It means challenging stereotypes, educating ourselves and listening to those who face hate firsthand. It means interrupting a racist “joke”, asking someone if they are okay, or simply sitting beside them so they are not alone. It does not have to be grand – just human.

Our Upstander Programs educate and empower students to stand up to ALL forms of discrimination. Our Holocaust survivor speakers share their stories of survival, demonstrating the importance of having the courage to care and the power each individual holds to make a difference. The special envoy’s plan recognises the vital importance of embedding Holocaust and antisemitism education in school curricula, understanding that the Holocaust offers an extreme real-life example of the consequences of racism and discrimination.

We should expect leadership from those in power. The Victorian Government’s Anti-Racism Strategy, NSW Department of Education’s Anti-Racism Strategy, the federal Multicultural Framework Review and the Special Envoy’s Plan to Combat Antisemitism all provide crucial policy frameworks. To quote the special envoy, “Antisemitism erodes and is contrary to values that define Australia: fairness, freedom and mutual respect. As such, it poses a threat not just to Jewish Australians, but to our entire nation.”

But policies alone are not enough. Laws do not change attitudes – people do. And that starts with you and me.

It is going to take sincere, sustained and significant efforts from all areas of the community to turn this frankly un-Australian trend around.

So, ask yourself: “When I witness racism, will I look away or will I act? Will I ignore it, or will I stand up?”

Because in every moment of silence, racism wins. But when we choose to be Upstanders, we create a community where everyone – regardless of their background – can belong, feel safe and thrive.

We can be the reason racism loses its power – if we are Upstanders, together.

Mike Zervos OAM is the CEO of

Courage to Care Victoria.

dinkus