The STAR ProjectStand Together Against Racism

Faculty of Medicine, Health & Molecular Sciences JAMES COOK UNIVERSITY

WHY STAR?

• Racism and discrimination of all types are the reality of modern health care

• Despite opposition to it

• Probably from the great majority of health students and staff

WHY STAR?Health students and staff talk about experiencing racism –as targets and witnesses and… … not liking it… but not quite knowing what to do

– Is it my business?– Have I got the confidence & skills?– I might stuff it up and make things worse?– I am afraid of retaliation! – Is opposing racism an attack on free speech?

(Bulletproofing Project 2008)

THE AIM OF STAR?Give health staff a way of expressing anti-racist sentiment.

a dignified, personal statement against racism

gain confidence & develop skills to take-on racism

send a message to targets of racism – they have allies

help build an anti-racism culture in health care

THINKING BEHIND STAR?The saying racism makes us sick is true

• Most health professionals are appalled by it

• Clear evidence shows patho-physiological pathway

RACISM STRESS POORER HEALTH MENTAL

PHYSICAL

(Marmot & Wilkinson 2005; Parides et el 2011; Sarnyai 2012)

RACISM – ANOTHER HEALTH HAZARD

Smoking is a health hazard

Smoking is not tolerated in places of study & health

Racism is a health hazard.

Racism continues to be tolerated in health

THE MEANING OF THE STAR

• The gold star symbolises hope

• Each point stands for one word

• Stethoscope a universal health tool

• It is a classy, little (20 mm) badge

A little, gold STAR will not get rid of racism• Racism is much deeper than cruel, ‘everyday’ racism

experienced by health staff as targets & bystanders

• Ample national & international evidence that discrimination is a feature of health practice

• Requires deep systemic, professional & personal reflection

• But STAR can help bring focus to it

An anti-racism strategy for health?

• We applaud the Australian Human Rights Commission’s new anti-racism strategy

• There is an anti-racism strategy for sport

• But there is none for health

• STAR is one way to show that there would be wide support for an anti-racism strategy in health.

RACISM IN HEALTH: IT STOPS WITH US!

That’s weird!

RACISM: IT STOPS WITH ME!

SHOW YOUR SUPPORT FOR STAR

• Wear a STAR

• Have a spare to give away

SHOW YOUR SUPPORT FOR STAR

• Encourage your organisations, colleges, unions, teachers, students, colleagues ….. …. to take-on racism …. and to start this just by wearing a STAR

• Buy badges to distribute

SHOW YOUR SUPPORT FOR STAR • Help STAR to go viral

• Go to the STAR Project web page starproject.co- Pages like Smart answers to racist comments- The patho-physiology of racism

Our aim? 100 000 health students & staff will wear STAR badges by June 30 2013!

• I will uphold the rights and protect the dignity of patients.

• I vow to practise in a patient’s best interests & do them no harm.

• I value the bond, based on mutual trust and respect, that can develop between health students, staff and patients.

• I believe that places of study & health care should be sanctuaries that are free from discrimination.

• I recognise that racism in health causes harm. I will do what I can , even if it is only in little ways, to rid health of racism.