Aboriginal academic and artist Richard Frankland​ jokes that he usually only "dances on the inside", but when it comes to racism, it's no joke and he takes his choreography to Federation Square.

Coinciding with Adam Goodes' return to training, Mr Frankland led a flash mob of about 200 people on the sloping cobblestones, a most urban setting for an indigenous tribute with imaginary spears.

It was a mature-age mob of mainly teachers from the Victorian College of the Arts and some students who had a crash course as performers to animate the art installation that they created.

The gathering stirred into action when Frankland chanted: "What are you? What are you? What are you?" They shouted: "Warriors".

After the warriors in coats and scarves completed their war cry, Mr Frankland told the media that he would like to see a public forum define what discrimination is.

"I'd like to see that forum headed up by Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal elders who know what discrimination is," he said. "And I'd like them to write the book about what discrimination is and tear it up so we don't need it any more."

The noted arts identity took up a post with the University of Melbourne six months ago as the head of curriculum and programs at the Wilin​ Centre for Indigenous Arts and Cultural Development.

He said the Goodes-driven debate about racism was about the "cultural tapestry" of a nation. "You and me, all of us together, we are the stitching. We can bind it together or let racism tear it apart. I say 'Let's fight racism'. Let's create an Australia that we can all call home."

Among the warriors was Professor Su Baker, the director of the Victorian College of the Arts, who commended Fairfax Media on its Saturday front page and poster of Goodes that was omnipresent at the football. "I was really delighted to see that," she said. "We need the media to be brave." 

Referring to "casual racism" that can occur in shops or public transport, Ms Baker said: "It's so insidious. If you're not affected by it, you don't notice."

A spirited flash mobber was Rachael Maza​, the artistic director of the Ilbijerri Theatre Company, who declared: "I'm absolutely irate at all the commentary." In our digital age, anyone with an internet connection can call themselves a social commentator and find at least one person who agrees with their view of the world.

While bemoaning the "I'm not a racist" hashtaggers, Ms Maza welcomed the debate that has ensued. "This is a great opportunity for us to have a good look at ourselves as a country," she said.

Flash mobs come and go but the University of Melbourne's commitment to fighting racism remains. Last year it joined the Australian Human Rights Commission campaign "Racism. It Stops with Me".