App Sets Anti-Racism Challenge

An education-style mobile phone app, which challenges users to live for a week in the life of an Aboriginal man, a Muslim woman or an Indian student, has been launched.

Developed by anti-racism charity All Together Now, the University of Western Sydney, University of Melbourne and Deakin University, the Everyday Racism app makes users decide on how to respond faced with various scenarios of racial prejudice, from teasing or verbal abuse, to being ignored while ordering a coffee, or missing out on a promotion due to the character’s cultural background.

The app draws on the real-life experience of Aboriginal men, Muslim women and Indian students, who shared their own stories of everyday racism as they worked with the production team to develop the app. It is available on iOS and Android.

Everyday Racism is a game/education style app which challenges players to live a week in the life of an Aboriginal man, a Muslim woman, an Indian student or yourself.

All Together Now’s Managing Director Priscilla Brice said the app was unique among those produced by charities.

“Racist attitudes are often expressed in subtle ways, which makes it harder to confront. Still, a 2011 study by the Foundation for Young Australians found that 7 in 10 young people regularly experience racism. This app will enable players to walk in their shoes,” Brice said.

“There are other anti-racism apps overseas, but this is the first in Australia – and no one else in the world has done something quite like this, in a game format.

“The app is immersive and evocative, and it’s designed to make you question your beliefs and attitudes. It’s also based on academic and qualitative evidence so it has real integrity.”

Everyday Racism is available for free on the Apple App Store and the Android Market. It will be available for download via www.everydayracism.org.au