Young Aussie left disgusted by woman's racist comment to her on the street
A young Australian woman was left shocked after being racially abused while walking down the street - an experience she says happens to her 'daily'.
Melbourne-based yoga teacher and mental health advocate Ash Paraskevas spoke out about the woman's racist attack.
'First, she told me I wasn't Australian.
'Then she screamed at me for five minutes about being a 'multicultural monster'. I was in shock—but managed to record some of it,' she said.
'This wasn't just one unwell woman on the street. She represents the quiet racism many of us experience daily,' she said, adding it is usually subtle, stares, or silence.
'I'm not a monster. I'm multicultural. I'm Australian.
'And I won't shrink to make others more comfortable with their narrow version of belonging.'
People took to the comments of the social media to express their sympathy for Ms Paraskevas.
'I just moved to Australia from the UK and I've been so shocked at the casual racism that so many people seem to throw about here,' one user said.
'Why is no one shouting at me for not being Australian?'
Another said: 'Bro, forgetting Australia is literally 100 per cent immigrants.'
Some highlighted the hypocrisy of someone declaring a person who is 'multicultural' is not Australian.
'Does she know the history of Australia omg,' a commenter asked.
One person said: 'It's like the burglar breaking into your home, stealing all your possessions, and then telling you that it's their home.
'Funny that, hang on, that is Australia's aka stolen land.'
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A post shared by Ashira (@ashparaskevas)
Ms Paraskevas listed four things people can do in response to incidents like her experience.
This included calling comments out, educating communities, reflecting on bias and speaking up for others 'especially if you have privilage'.
'Above all - don't let their fear define your identity.'
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