I, Too, Am Monash is a campaign run by The Wom*n of Colour Collective working closely with the MSA Indigenous Department that aims to address the devaluation and micro-aggression felt by students from racially different backgrounds on campus.

Inspired by the I, too, am Harvard campaign, our campaign aims to create a space for students who experience racial stereotyping and race-based discrimination to share their stories and be seen and heard. Our campaign also focuses on the stereotyping and shaming experienced by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students and staff who through a history of colonisation and resistance experience discrimination in a unique way.

Universities are often presented as a progressive place within society, yet some of us, because of the way we have been racialised, still feel out of place. Our presence is often questioned or challenged by others, our cultures are often Othered and our languages often mocked. Through institutionalised racism and daily micro-aggressions we are made to feel marginalised, ashamed of our culture, fetishised in the name of ‘celebrating’ cultural diversity or infantalised as wretches needing to be saved. Our campaign aims to highlight the prevailing racism on campus and hopes to create dialogue between peers about race and privilege on campus.

The Monash Wom*n of Colour Collective acknowledges the rightful owners of this land. We pay our respects to the elders past and present of the Bunurong and Woiwurong people, on whose land these photographs have been taken (Monash University Clayton and Caulfield). This land was never ceded, it is and always will be Aboriginal Land.

Cover artwork courtesy of Estefanía Fontealba Find out more at/contact us at: https://www.facebook.com/MonashWomenOfColour or email Liyan at lygao2@student.monash.edu