Coronavirus: Victorian Multicultural Commission urges compassion as ethnic groups attacked
With coronavirus fears on the rise, members of ethnic groups, particularly the Chinese community, are being targeted by racist attacks. Victorians are being urged to show some compassion.
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The Victorian Multicultural Commission is urging people to show compassion to minority groups who are being attacked as fears of coronavirus heighten/
Members of the Eastern Melbourne Regional Advisory Council met with Victorian Multicultural Commissioner Vivienne Nguyen in Glen Waverley to voice their concerns about growing xenophobia as a result of the virus.
Community leaders and advocates from diverse faith and cultural backgrounds demonstrated their support for Chinese restaurants by sharing a meal prepared at Glen Waverley’s House of Delight.
Community leader Bala Balachandran said reports of increasing xenophobia following the outbreak of coronavirus have become a key concern for ethnic minorities.
“Many of us here in this group have experienced racism and xenophobia in the past and we know the damage it can do, to an individual and a community,” he said.
“We know this problem runs much deeper than just eating out, but right now we wanted to use our council meeting to do something tangible to help.”
Chinese community advocate Danny Ong said the support of fellow advisory council members was welcomed.
“It is great to see community leaders from different cultures and faiths supporting us and addressing the divisive mentality we’ve seen from some people,” he said.
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Ms Nguyen, who attended the event, said all Victorians ought to show compassion towards people who are affected by the virus.
“Victoria is a successful multicultural society and when we’re faced with a crisis of any kind, we come together and support each other,” she said.
“Allowing fear to sow division runs counter to the values that shape our state.”
Regional Advisory Councils meet regularly with representatives from the commission to discuss issues that matter to multicultural communities.
The insights inform the commission’s recommendations on public policy to improve government and community services.