In a news week that brought racial intolerance back into the spotlight, more than 200 staff and students took a stand and showed support for the national Racism. It Stops with Me campaign.

Organised by the Equity and Diversity Unit, the event brought together the University community with a thought-provoking occasional address by Race Discrimination Commissioner Dr Tim Soutphommasane.

A first-generation Australian of Chinese and Lao background, Dr Soutphommasane’s thinking on multiculturalism and national identity has been influential in reshaping cultural discussions in Australia and Britain.

“Racism is not just about the Macquarie Dictionary definition, and you don’t have to be a card carrying member of a supremacist group to be racist,” said Dr Soutphommasane in his address last week. “Racism isn’t about just about intention, it’s about impact.”

Following his address, Dr Soutphommasane and Vice-Chancellor Professor S Bruce Dowton answered questions from staff and students about the campaign.

The event also launched a new Faculty of Arts multimedia project, Our People Many Journeys. Led by Iqbal Barkat, the project will capture many of Macquarie’s multicultural stories on film. For more information on this project, contact the Director of Equity and Diversity, Kate Wilson (kate.wilson@mq.edu.au).