Editor's note

After Friday’s terror attack in Melbourne, Prime Minister Scott Morrison put the onus on Muslim leaders to do more to prevent terrorism by urging them not to “look the other way”.

But as Greg Barton writes, this is not only unfair, it’s unrealistic. The only way to prevent at-risk youths being radicalised is to devote more resources to community-based intervention programs, which are quietly having considerable success turning troubled lives around.

And, after the attack, social media platforms were flooded with emoji-laden messages expressing hate and anger towards Muslims and Islam. It’s an example of a less well known side of emoji, according to Ariadna Matamoros-Fernández. While emoji are generally considered a bit of harmless fun, they can be used to spread racism on social media in ways that make it seem normal, mundane and acceptable.

Justin Bergman

Deputy Editor: Politics + Society

Top story

Mourners pay their respects to Sisto Malaspina, co-owner of Pellegrini’s Espresso Bar, who was killed in Friday’s terror attack. James Ross/AAP

Morrison wants Muslim leaders to do more to prevent terrorism, but what more can they do?

Greg Barton, Deakin University

While broad-based counter-terrorism strategies aren't very effective at preventing lone-actor attacks, community outreach efforts are having success turning troubled young lives around.

Emoji can cloak microaggressions in humour and play. Andre Hunter/Unsplash

How the use of emoji on Islamophobic Facebook pages amplifies racism

Ariadna Matamoros-Fernández, Queensland University of Technology

Emoji can be used on social media to spread racism in ways that make it seem normal, mundane and acceptable.

Detail from George Baldessin MM of Rue St Denis 1976charcoal and black chalk 119.9 x 80.6 cm. National Gallery of Victoria, MelbournePurchased with the assistance of The Docking Drawing Fund (NGV), 2001 (2001.537)© The Estate of George Baldessin

Here’s looking at: George Baldessin’s Mary Magdalene on Rue St Denis

Ted Snell, University of Western Australia

The images of Mary Magdalene made by Australian artist George Baldessin in the years before his sudden death in a car accident in 1977 are some of his most powerful works.

Science + Technology

Education

FactCheck

Cities

  • Kyoto on the path to becoming the Copenhagen of Asia

    Brendan F.D. Barrett, Osaka University; Larissa Hjorth, RMIT University

    The city where the Kyoto Protocol was signed resolved some years ago to move away from cars and towards low-emission alternatives for getting around. And it's making real progress towards that goal.

Business + Economy

Health + Medicine

Arts + Culture

Politics + Society

 

Featured jobs

Lecturer In Climate Science

University of Melbourne — Melbourne, Victoria

Research Fellow Grade 1, Ecosystem Modeller

Griffith University — Bundall, Queensland

Administrative Officer

University of Western Australia — Perth, Western Australia

Administrative Officer,Research

RMIT University — Melbourne, Victoria

More Jobs
 
 
 
 
 
 

Featured events

Social Justice in the Neoliberal Age

Clemenger Auditorium, National Gallery of Victoria, 180 St Kilda Road, Southbank, Melbourne, Victoria, 3000, Australia — La Trobe University

An evening in conversation with Michelle Grattan

Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre (MCEC) 1 Convention Centre Place , South Wharf, Victoria, 3000, Australia — The Conversation

Your Leadership Voice: Women in Focus SUE talks

Level 8, Building H, 900 Dandenong Road, Caulfield East, Victoria, 3145, Australia — Monash University

Master of Teaching Information Evening

19 Ancora Imparo Way, Clayton campus, Clayton, Victoria, 3800, Australia — Monash University

More events
 

Contact us here to list your job, or here to list your event.

For sponsorship opportunities, email us here