Muslim Australians experienced racism in education settings, including universities. Consultations also noted the challenges of addressing religious discrimination and its connections to the experience of racism in universities. Similarly, the Sharing Stories of Australian Muslims report found: Participants noted current civil and criminal legislative mechanisms were insufficient to protect them from the harassment, discrimination and vilification they faced due to their religious background. More robust legal protection from Islamophobia and anti-Muslim hate was called for… 57 The extent to which Islamophobia can be addressed through comprehensive anti-racism initiatives will be explored further in the next phase of the Study. (d) Staff and students from African backgrounds The Commission also engaged with students and staff from African backgrounds, who described frequent and severe incidents of racism, describing Anti-Black racism and sentiment. Some participants noted that they felt the need to moderate their natural ways of expressing themselves to avoid being seen as aggressive or conforming to the stereotype of an ‘angry Black person.’ This sort of self-moderation responded to tone policing with is the action of criticising the angry or emotional manner in which a person has expressed a view, rather than addressing the substance of the point itself, 58 and can undermine anti-racism. Some students from African backgrounds are also international students, and the section below also relates to some of their experiences. (e) Staff and students from Asian backgrounds Students and staff from Asian backgrounds also shared experiences of overt and systematic racism. Particularly pervasive were ‘model minority’ stereotypes of Asian background individuals being hardworking, intelligent and able to excel in maths and science. 59 These stereotypes can limit opportunities and overlook discrimination and racism. Research from the Commission on anti-Asian racism also notes the impact of Australia’s migration history and rise of anti-Asian racism since the COVID-19 pandemic. 60 Again, some of the Asian background students are international students and the following section reflects their experiences. (f) International students International students come from all over the world. Currently 55% of international students come from five countries: China (22%), India (17%), Nepal 40