Calling out Bill Leak

The conservative fringe and their sycophants (including the sad cabal at Bill Leak’s memorial) often proclaim they “say what the people are thinking” and this is free speech. Opposing voices are often loath to directly call out this ignorance and hate for what it is. While it is laudable to be better than that and avoid giving oxygen to these peddlers of bile, it absolves them of accountability and helps keep their targets silent. Last week’s Saturday Paper was a welcome exception (Editorial, “The freedom of a coward”, March 18-24). After days of people tiptoeing around this man’s legacy I had a palpable sense of relief to see him called out as racist. As an LGBT, not-quite-white Australian, I was additionally relieved that the full reach of his actions were also called out. Thank you, Saturday Paper, a lonely light in a darkening Australia. People of goodwill, speak up without fear if you can.

– Jason Cheong, Heidelberg, Vic