Courageous Conversations For A Kinder World

Through practising the art of conversation we can make sport and society more inclusive for all.

Thinking back to reflect forward

Race is one of those topics that often divides people. Maybe you’ve seen this firsthand in the sport you love. Whether it’s rugby, footy, soccer, tennis, netball, basketball – any sport across Australia.

Have you ever heard players, or someone watching the game, say something hurtful based on the colour of someone’s skin, their culture, or religion? Maybe they thought they were being funny. Did they expect others to laugh along with them, and the person on the receiving end to “have a sense of humour”?

There are lots of ways that we can respond to racism. This might involve asking a question, sharing information, rephrasing what the person said, or if it feels safe to do so, directly challenging them. 

Did anyone speak up that day? And did anyone become defensive, or angry? 

Bringing back the art of conversation

When it comes to racism, have you noticed how we often end up just shouting at one another? It can feel like we become more isolated and hardened in the way we think. We often stay silent, fearful of saying the wrong thing. But it doesn’t have to be this way. 

One of the most powerful ways that we can tackle racism in sport and society is by practising the art of conversation.

Conversation is a way to form genuine human connection. It helps us to understand, respect, and feel empathy for each other – to be kind.

With this foundation of kindness, built one conversation at a time, we can help everyone to feel included and safe. To know that they belong in sport, school, and throughout society.

There are lots of ways that we can practise the art of conversation. We might…   

• Get to know our own belief system around race – understanding where we’re at can help us to have meaningful conversations with others.

• Seek out and get to know people from different cultural backgrounds to our own.

• Educate ourselves on issues of race to help influence people around us.

• Ask questions, seek answers – how can we do better as a team, club, sporting community?

• Learn how to choose the most appropriate response to racism – get ready to speak up when it really counts. Hopefully we can spark a respectful conversation that helps the person and everyone present to think twice next time.

Building conversation into our life like this can inspire others to follow our lead. With time, these moments of conversation can move us to act for change. And one day feel awe at how far we’ve come, and inspired to continue striving for more. 

Sports has a big role in driving the racism conversation 

Conversation is becoming more recognised around the world in sports as an important way to create a kinder and fairer world. 

For the US National Basketball Association Foundation, conversation is central to fighting racism. And former US National Football League player Emmanuel Acho believes uncomfortable conversations are a way of bridging the racial divide. So he wrote a book about them. 

A growing movement of professional athletes are joining the racism conversation as role models and through symbolic gestures to influence change. Read Reflect Forward stories on how athletes are influencing the global conversation on racism – and how you, your club, and your sport can help to drive the conversation.

Change can take generations – what we do today counts

History tells us that change is possible and worth striving for every day. And conversation is our meeting place where individual and collective action for a kinder and fairer world is sparked. 

We know that so many struggles in our world are ongoing. 

Yet all  those moments of conversation, human-to-human, and the action it sparks, can and do add up to change. We ask questions. Learn from one another. Discover we’re not alone. Think issues through and act together. Shift beliefs and attitudes. Disrupt and reform. Inspire a groundswell – together.

With conversation, change is in motion

The feminist revolution

Take the global feminist revolution as one example of conversation shaping change, through the lens of the women’s liberation era. 

Here in Australia, the documentary Brazen Hussies brings to life the incredible story of how conversations around the country sparked organised action throughout the 60s and 70s and led to enduring change. This spanned issues such as equal pay, reproductive rights, childcare, and the prevention of family violence and rape. 

Dismissed early on as outrageous demands from “brazen hussies”, the issues could no longer be denied and ignored by Australia’s major political parties. For the first time, these issues were core to their political platforms.

LGBTQI+ rights

Or consider the bravery and determination of the LGBTQI+ community. As recently as 1978, police arrested 53 people at Sydney’s first Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras Parade. Now, at least outside of our pandemic years, this event is celebrated by hundreds of thousands of people from around Australia and overseas in a joyful sea of colour. And in 2017 we witnessed the human rights landmark as Australia legalised marriage equality. These are just two examples from a long history of conversation, organised action, and struggle for LGBTQI+ rights in Australia.

Where to from here?

It wasn’t so long ago. Look at where we’ve been, what’s been achieved. Yes – there is a long way to go. In women’s rights, LGBTQI+ rights, in every person’s right to live a life free of racism, and countless more struggles around the world.

But together, with conversation, action, from one generation to the next, change for a kinder world is in motion.

Build your confidence in sparking courageous conversations – learn more about racism and discover stories of action in sports.