AHRC risks discouraging harmony among the young with change

Aside from the surge in violent, cruel anti-Semitism since October 7, 2023, which has made life a misery for many in Australia’s Jewish community, our nation has much else to be proud of in the otherwise harmonious functioning of our multicultural society.

The Australian Human Rights Commission (which has failed to cut through on anti-Semitism) should be keen to reinforce positive multiculturalism among the young.

Instead, it is intent on instilling a negative view among students that runs the risk of encouraging unnecessary umbrage-taking and activism, and creating self-loathing of our nation, its history and values.

The watchdog’s latest target is Harmony Day, due to be celebrated in schools and childcare centres on March 21.

It is a day when children learn about different cultures by sharing food, dressing in traditional costumes, learning traditional songs and dances, and enjoying visits from migrant leaders, family members and Indigenous elders. Such positivity does not accord with the AHRC’s “black armband” view of the nation, however, which is why the commission wants schools to rename the festivities the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination.

“Hiding the true meaning of this day under a mask of ‘harmony’ actively harms our collective anti-racism journey by obscuring structural and systemic racism,” the commission complains on its website. Australia’s decision in 1999 to rename IDERD as Harmony Day has “turned the day from a protest against racial discrimination into a celebration”.

The commission is wrong, potentially creating angst among students where none exists. Despite concerns about curriculum overcrowding, the AHRC has produced a lesson plan for teachers to instruct teenagers in years 9 and 10 about interpersonal and systemic racism and discrimination. It comes with a warning that “the content may be distressing for students, particularly Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students and other students negatively impacted by racism”.

In its current form, it is a day students embrace, Australian Government Primary Principal Association president Pat Murphy told education editor Natasha Bita. “It’s one of the most celebrated days on the school calendar, particularly in schools with large numbers of multicultural or First Nations students,” he said. “I’ve seen cultural dress, we’ve had elders from the First Nations community come to speak to all the students, and students have shared food.” Students designed their own activities and looked forward to it. “It can’t do anything but create harmony.” The day is clearly not broken; the AHRC should leave it alone.