Race Matters

Have you ever been mistaken for someone of a similar ethnic background? Journalist and triple j Hack host Avani Dias explains the psychology behind this phenomenon. Plus, we talk about how social media groups can foster a sense of community by shining a light on common diasporic experiences. This conversation originally aired in November 2018, on FBi Radio's breakfast show Up For It.

When did you realise there is power in your race? For more than half the year, we've been asking each guest that comes on Race Matters that very question. So we thought we'd run through a few of them. In this episode, you'll hear from Bhenji Ra, Nayuka Gorrie, Abdul Abdullah, Benjamin Law, Min Jin Lee, Glenny Thomas, Lena Nahlous, Rainbow Chan, Damian Griffis, Ying-Di Yin, Justin Tam, Vicki Van Hout, Joel Bray, Candy Bowers, Aanisa Vylet, Soo-min Shim, Felicia Foxx and Jordy Shea. From the bottom of our hearts, thank you to all of our guests this year for their stories, wisdom, humour and vulnerability. And thank YOU for listening. Here's to big things in 2020! x

Content warning: this episode contains discussion of suicide, depression and abuse. If this brings anything to the surface for you, or you just need to talk to someone, please see contact any of the following: Lifeline Crisis Hotline: 13 11 14 / eHeadspace: 1800 650 890 / Beyond Blue: 1300 22 4636 / Kids Helpline: 1800 551 800 // On a recent Friday morning, Bundjalung woman Nessa Turnbull-Roberts submitted her Honours thesis, and a few hours later won the Young People's Human Rights Medal. We spoke to her about how she deals with the colonial oppression of universities, her thoughts on Reconciliation Week, and how she practices self-care after protests.

We reflect on the year gone by, and some of the incredible guests we've been lucky enough to have join us this year. Plus, we chat a couple of recent milestone moments, and our ones to watch for 2020.

Glenny Thomas from community arts organisation Phunktional talks us through how dance can be used to combat the damage of youth incarceration.

Filipino-Australian playwright Jordy Shea on what drew him to drama, the importance of community and 'Kasama Kita' - his play currently showing at Belvoir's Downstairs Theatre.

Rhyan joins us one last time as an in-studio host, for an emotional and laughter-filled yarn with Sara about some of his favourite moments over the past year, and what Race Matters has meant to him. We love you Rhyan!

When it comes to Asian representation in the media, what's changed over the past year? Following last week's reprise of their conversation around Crazy Rich Asians, we brought back Justin Tam and Ying-Di Yin to talk about Lulu Wang's 2019 film The Farewell, sidelining whiteness in ethnic narratives and the complexities of bi-culturalism.

Does Asian representation in the media cut it? Publicist and actor Ying-Di Yin and writer and producer Justin Tam return to Race Matters this month to chat Lulu Wang's film The Farewell – but before they do, revisit their chat from last year, talking Crazy Rich Asians.

What actually is cultural appropriation? And why does it matter? This Halloween, we thought it apt to tackle the ever-controversial topic. Get your bite-sized lowdown right here.

Political correctness gone mad, or a legitimate way of holding those with influence accountable in the internet age? This week on Race Matters, we tackle cancel culture.

What’s the connection between colonisation and gay dating app Grindr? And how do you deal with expectations when you make contemporary art through the lens of the world’s oldest living culture? We chat to artists Joel Bray and Vicki Van Hout about this and more, ahead of their two shows as part of Liveworks Festival of Experimental Art this October.

Aanisa Vylet wrote and stars in Halal Gurls, the world's first hijabi comedy series. We chat to her about her experience making the show, some of her early influences and why authentic, intelligent representation matters.

We know there's a lack of diverse representation in the arts, especially when it comes to positions of power. But we haven't always had the numbers to prove it. Executive Director of Diversity Arts Australia, Lena Nahlous, unpacks their recent report into arts leadership, diversity and inclusion, proving that we have a problem and directing us to start working on solutions.

In a Race Matters first, our resident globetrotter Rhyan Clapham talks race, identity and music with French rapper PM Kanza.

It's Georgia's last show! She reflects on the crushes she's manifested by way of interviewing them for past episodes. Plus, we look to the future, chatting Western Sydney crew ONEFOUR and how they're taking the world by storm.

Writer, performer and educator Candy Bowers chats Black Girl Magic, reclaiming narratives and tells us the best icebreaker idea we’ve ever heard – tried and tested.

Damian Griffis is a proud Worimi man and a leading advocate for the human rights of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people living with disability. It was an honour to have him on today's show, for a truly insightful chat with Sara about intersectionality, the pros of approaching disability with a social model, and his upcoming panel at Sydney Opera House's Antidote in September. Plus – at the beginning of the show, Sara spoke about the crisis in Victoria at the moment, on the lands of the Djab Wurrung people. The sacred birthing trees of their lands are about to be knocked down to build a new highway by Victoria Roads. For directions to the protest and numbers to call if you can't physically make it there, head to dwembassy.com/.

Darren Lesaguis talks to author and broadcaster Benjamin Law about 'Waltzing the Dragon', his two-part doco exploring the long and oft-surprising history between Australia and China. They also chat negotiating identity across generations, and 'Growing Up Queer in Australia' – the recent, vital anthology Law has edited. Watch 'Waltzing the Dragon' on ABC iView, and find 'Growing Up Queer in Australia' in any good bookstore.

Sydney multidisciplinary artist and musician Rainbow Chan chats language, culture and identity and how they fit into her new album, Pillar. If you're in Sydney, catch Rainbow live at The Chippo Hotel on Friday August 23.