We are a group of established and respected South Asians in Australia, ranging from the ages of 22-52, across industries including the medical field, journalism, banking, lawyers, business owners, investors. Many of us have been in Australia for 1-2 generations, and some are newer. Many of us have children at school.

Our formal group, which has almost 200 members, is called The Desi Collective, and we are people originally from countries including Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Nepal, India, Bhutan, Pakistan, Myanmar.

Earlier this week, many of us were deeply disturbed by an article in The Sydney Morning Herald detailing alarming incidents of racism at James Ruse Agricultural High School. The experiences shared in this report are deeply troubling, highlighting that casual and overt racism continues to pervade our educational institutions. We believe that such behavior is intolerable and must be addressed with urgency and gravity.

Racism, whether casual or explicit, has no place in Australia, let alone in our schools, where students of all backgrounds should feel respected, safe, and valued. The article reveals that students of South Asian descent were subjected to derogatory language, including racial slurs and being referred to as "slaves"—an unacceptable affront to their dignity. We are particularly disheartened by the reports of certain parents promoting exclusion and discouraging friendships across cultural lines. These attitudes not only harm our young people but also fracture the inclusivity that is essential for a thriving multicultural society.

This issue extends beyond James Ruse Agricultural High School. It is a systemic problem that requires decisive leadership from the top. We need robust and transparent anti-racism policies and a commitment to enforce them at all levels within the Department of Education. The education system must actively foster an environment where all forms of racism are unequivocally condemned and where diversity is celebrated.

We urge you to take immediate action to address this issue through comprehensive strategies that include anti-racism education, stringent policies, and accountability measures. It is imperative that our educational leaders set the standard for inclusivity, ensuring that our schools are spaces where all students feel welcome and respected. We aren't seeking a VOICE, we are seeking RESPECT, a simple and normal right for all.

Thank you for your attention to this urgent matter. We look forward to seeing leadership on this issue and hope for meaningful reforms that will protect all students (/people) from the harms of racism.

Yours sincerely, The Desi Collective