Creative Equity Toolkit

“Where Are You From?” Racial Microaggressions

In this article, Dr Zuleyka Zevallos unpacks how the seemingly innocent question “Where are you from?” functions as a racial microaggression in Australia. Repeatedly asking this question—especially of people of colour—reinforces the idea that only white people are truly “Australian,” and positions others as perpetual outsiders.

White Privilege: Unpacking the Invisible Knapsack

Influential article identifying ways racism benefits white people each day, with a checklist of 50 items, for example:

'I can be pretty sure that if I ask to talk to the "person in charge", I will be facing a person of my race'

'If a traffic cop pulls me over or if the IRS audits my tax return, I can be sure I haven't been singled out because of my race.'

'I can easily buy posters, post-cards, picture books, greeting cards, dolls, toys and children's magazines featuring people of my race.'