Rachel Bos, a dedicated educator with over 20 years of experience in Australia and New Zealand, resigned from her teaching position in 2019, citing long-term experiences of racism that ultimately led to her decision. Bos, a member of the Kaurna community, described her career as the “perfect” fit but revealed that subtle forms of discrimination became unbearable over time.
In an interview with SBS, Bos shared that throughout her teaching career, she encountered what she termed “death by a thousand cuts.” This phrase encapsulated her experiences with systemic racism, which she claims affected her opportunities for advancement. As an Aboriginal woman, she felt bypassed for promotional roles by colleagues who preferred to keep her in the classroom, particularly because of her success with Aboriginal students.
The culture of exclusion she faced included being assigned classes outside her expertise, simply because those classes contained Aboriginal students. Bos explained, “I’ve been given classes in subject areas I don’t teach, because that’s where the Aboriginal kids are.” This pattern of treatment contributed to her growing disillusionment with the educational system.
Racism manifested in both overt and subtle ways. Bos recalled a particularly hurtful incident in 2019 when a colleague made a derogatory remark at a photocopier, stating, “Rachel, the photocopy is not working today. It must be black.” This comment, witnessed by other colleagues who did not intervene, proved to be the breaking point for Bos. She described how such micro-aggressions accumulate over time, ultimately impacting mental well-being.
The lack of effective reporting mechanisms within schools left Bos feeling unsupported. Attempts to address her experiences of racism were met with skepticism, leading her to feel “gaslit” into thinking she was overly sensitive. “Sometimes racism can be as simple as just having to deal with these things over and over and over again in our careers,” she stated.
Calls for National Inquiry into Workplace Racism
Following her resignation, Bos has become an advocate for change. She recently participated in a roundtable discussion in Canberra, representing the Australian Council of Trade Unions. This gathering, which included community leaders and workplace advocates, aimed to address the rising tide of racism in Australian workplaces. The discussions highlighted a surge in racist incidents over the past five years, exacerbated by various socio-political events, including the COVID-19 pandemic and the Indigenous Voice referendum.
Giridharan Sivaraman, Australia’s race discrimination commissioner, emphasized the need for more comprehensive data on workplace racism. He stated, “We know that it diminishes people and it damages our economy and our society as a whole, but we need to learn more.” The ongoing challenges faced by Indigenous people in the workforce underscore the urgency of addressing these issues.
The 2018 Respect at Work inquiry into sex discrimination serves as a potential model for tackling racism in workplaces. All 45 recommendations from that inquiry were implemented in policy, demonstrating the possibility for significant change. Michele O’Neil, president of the Australian Council of Trade Unions, expressed optimism about the potential impact of a national inquiry into workplace racism, stating, “It has the potential to change workers’ lives and workplaces for the better.”
Racism in the workplace affects various sectors, with migrant workers in regional areas often facing heightened risks of exploitation and discrimination. O’Neil noted that many agricultural workers on temporary visas experience both racism and violence, making them particularly vulnerable.
While the Labor Party has yet to commit to a national anti-racism framework proposed by the Australian Human Rights Commission in November 2022, the growing calls for accountability and change signal a shift in workplace culture that could benefit many.
In light of Bos’s experiences and those of countless others, the need for action against racism in Australian workplaces has never been more pressing. The ongoing discussions and proposed inquiries aim to foster a more inclusive environment for all workers, paving the way for a future where equality is truly realized.
