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The DrumArchiveOpinionYou Said ItContributorsPhotosVideoBlogsPollsContributeFind More Stories3 June 2009
Racism in Australia
698 Comments
Bruce Haigh
The recent attacks on Indian students have thrust the issue of racism in Australia into the mainstream news bulletins.
The Indian government has protested, the Indian media has expressed concern and Kevin Rudd has made one of his grave statements.
And the Australian media toyed with the notion that perhaps there are elements of racism in this country.
Of course Australia is racist. It is still viewed by mainstream Australia as wrong, so it is practised with some guilt and in polite company circumspection. Quiet soundings at social gatherings of what appear to be like-minded people, eventually leading to, once credentials seem to have been established , 'I have nothing against them but...'
Polite and sometimes not so polite racism is the underbelly of conservative politics and conservative attitudes. Racism weaves its way through Australian sport with varying degrees of official tolerance, but in some codes it has equal billing with misogyny. It was there for all to see with the crude sledging engaged in during the last Australian cricket tour of India.
In not so polite society racism is blatant. Have you seen the ugly text messages relating to Aborigines, Muslims, Jews, Indians and refugees?
Australians from the dominant Anglo/Celtic culture expect new Australians from other cultural backgrounds to show some respect, perhaps even a small cringe and obsequiousness, forelock tugging, until such time as they know the ropes, cut their cultural ties and enter the mainstream.
Temporary settlers and long term visitors are expected to absorb mainstream culture more quickly and to show a suitable degree of deference. Some individuals and national groups are better at this than others. Maybe Indians have a problem with deference?
Of course racism is a fact of life in Australia. The treatment of Aborigines is the most glaring example and is there for the world to see.
Aborigines are not equal before the law in Australia; they die in the back of prison vans. Whitefellas speak, plan and make decisions on their behalf. Rehabilitation programs in prison are minimal and many prison guards display racial prejudice including toward visiting relatives. White decision makers are currently in the process of denying outstations to Aborigines.
Since the time of white settlement racism has been part of the weft and weave of this country.
The first identified threat by white settlers was from thieving, dispossessed Aborigines, who were placed in the same category as Australian fauna; and then Asians, who apparently constituted a threat to the wage structure and racial purity.
The Union Movement and The Bulletin magazine urged maintenance of a white Australia policy and it was not difficult to bring the Squatters and members of the professional middle class along with them. Keeping Australia free for the white man was one of the catch cries for recruitment to the First Australian Imperial Force.
The White Australia Policy officially died with the election of the Labor Whitlam government in 1972; but it didn't.
Attitudes in the white macho middle class didn't change. It was a badge of honour among the emotionally and intellectually beleaguered (and challenged) conservatives in the middle class to oppose anything the Whitlam government instituted.
Expecting big things from Malcolm Fraser when he was elected Prime Minister in 1976, they were disappointed, if not shocked with his attitude and policies toward Aborigines, refugees arriving by boat and opposition to Apartheid. He was a class and Party traitor.
Hawke and Keating maintained, and in some areas increased, policies of public decency toward Aborigines, minority groups and refugees. Under them both there was even a week-long celebration of the worth and value of refugees known as Refugee Week. It died under Howard.
John Howard brought his class and race warfare to government. He was a champion of the marginalised white middle class. His anger at the direction of policy over the preceding 24 years seethed and festered. WorkChoices and the detention and vilification of refugees were the resulting policies.
Howard's treatment of refugees arriving by boat was state sponsored and sanctioned racism. It sent a powerful message, not to desperate refugees but to other Australians, some of whom saw it as encouragement to develop and express their own racism.
Mohammed Haneef was a victim. The unwillingness of the AFP to admit mistakes or apologise also sent a powerful message both overseas and to those within this country who put the AFP on a higher pedestal than they do tolerance and human rights.
The Rudd government has kept in place the fundamentals of the Howard government's intolerant policies toward Aborigines and refugees. As an example to others it leaves much to be desired as does Rudd's recent intemperate attack on people smugglers. Does Rudd believe that government policies reinforcing and backing racist actions and attitudes would not have a negative impact at street level?
The Rudd government has been gutless in reversing and attempting to heal the damage done by Howard. His government needs to implement a schools and university program promoting human rights and combating racism.
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House Rules
698 Comments
Comments for this story are closed. No new comments can be added.
Kevin :
10 Jul 2011 11:01:21am
Australia is the sixth largest country in the world with a population of about 23 million people.It has been estimated that only less than 3% of the land is used for residential and industrial purposes.The immigration policy in Australia is mainly based on the ethnicity and race because the number of U.K and Newzealand citizens living and working in Australia is way too higher than the immigrants from other parts of the world.Most of the people from U.K and Newzealand neither have a professional qualification nor a degree working in unskilled jobs.They are allowed to live and work as long as they want just because they speak English better than the immigrants and also because most of them are white.But most immigrants migrating from other parts of the world have professional qualification and have used English as the medium of study especially those from the former British colonies of South Asia.They are scrutinized,criticized and in most cases denied a visa only because they don't speak English as fluent as a native speaker and not white.This doesn't makes sense at all.It shows that the Australian immigration policy is mainly based on the race and language.After all,Australia is a country stolen from it's native people,the aborigines 300 years ago.Honestly speaking one of the major Aborigine language should be made as the national language in Australia but instead the aborigines are treated like second class citizens.
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The Real World :
26 Jul 2011 9:05:50am
Kevin,
I don't think you are the one making sense. Are you also proposing that the USA should change its national language to a native American language, as should all the countries of South America. Taiwan should choose the language of its indigenous people over Mandarin, New Zealanders should speak a Maori lanuage etc, etc.
Sorry but choosing any other language other than English as Australia's national language is not going to work. English is Australia's language and it is very important to understand that it is part of glue that unifies Australia as a nation, the stuff that helps hold a nation together.
Further it has been found that a significant factor in the success of a migrant to Australia is their ability to speak English fluently. But most of the jobs in Australia, as in many developed countries, these days are in the service sectors which require good English skills to be successful and poor English skills by migrants in Australia has been found to be a short cut to the generous welfare system offered in Australia. These findings should not be a surprise as similar findings have been found in other countries. Language should be seen as a critical factor in the immigration policies of any nation.
New Zealand and Australia have a similar GDP per capita, both have a generous welfare system, both share the same language and they are in geographic proximity. This means that there is not going to get a massive exodus of people one way and that in any event the movements of people have proven to be manageable. And sure it also helps that New Zealand and Australia have a common heritage and an almost identical culture but these are not the main reasons that both countries have agreed that an open border between the two countries is mutually beneficial. Because Australia has an Open Border policy with New Zealand they are the greatest source of immigrants to Australia and I understand that Australia is the greatest source of New Zealand immigrants. This should be no surprise.
And in recent years, after New Zealand, the top three sources of immigration to Australia have included India and China. Both these countries, individually, could easily supply all the migrants Australia allows into their country in a single year. In fact each of these countries could easily supply all immigration that is allowed in the developed world. But is this what the developed countries want. In the end analysis, unfortunately there is such a thing as culture and there is such a thing as social cohesion. If Australia is to avoid the ethnic conflicts that dog many other parts of the rest of the world then Australia must carefully manage its immigration.
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Mack :
02 Aug 2011 2:21:27pm
Which "major Aborigine language should be made as the national language in Australia"? Who would teach the language? How will it help close the gap?
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Bernard :
25 Jun 2011 9:01:10am
The reality is that educated one knows how to pretend to be friendly and nice. Few of them are nice, make friend with them, you'll know.
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Henry Lee :
25 Jun 2011 8:28:56am
I lived here for 37 years in Australia and paid my taxes and held proffesional positions. During the Whitlam Keating and Hawke period I could be proud of my adopted country. But Howard and Gilliard have turned the clock back I feel that a silent White Australia policy has tainted this country.I now have a phobia against most White Australians as I cant accept them as decent fair human beings with humanity and integrity as they adopt superior facist racist mentality unable to accept me the migrant as a dedicated person contributing to this society it ain't hard to do. Fools welcome migrants & refugees you will make this country a better place wouldn't it be great to live in a cohesive inclusive society then a divided one on the basis of race. Remember I am your neighbor it is not hard to do shake off your superior fascist racist views and lets make Australia a better place . The only true Australians are the aborigines . All of us are Migrants
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land lord :
27 Jul 2011 12:35:57pm
Spot on mate, as an Aboriginal I would like to welcome all migrants, imagrants and refugees to this beautiful lucky country and can understand why people want to come here. We need more diversity to combat the racist rants of the majority culture. I would swap one racist bigot for a thousand respectful refugees anytime
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Luna :
25 Aug 2011 5:28:48pm
See? Straight out of a real Australian. This proves my point exacly.
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trawalla :
05 Sep 2011 2:24:38pm
I also as an aboriginal man Welcome all peoples of all cultures/creed/religion to this our country and enjoy the sights to behold
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Joe :
03 Aug 2011 12:50:28pm
This is exactly how THEY want you to think.
Welcoming immigrants and refugees on racial and cultural grounds in such numbers without any consideration for infrastructure or accommodation or what it does to the existing members of your society would be indeed be very silly. It will only result in a serious reduction in living standards for the majority of Australians.
Surely even you can see that with the coming energy crunch associated with peak oil, the time when we could build such infrastructure to accommodate large numbers of new people is quickly drawing to a close.
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Earle Qaeda :
25 Aug 2011 6:16:52pm
B/S Joe. You wanna talk infrastructure & accommodation? No Australian government has had the foresight or courage to truly undertake those issues. Our major cities would be in the same mess with or without immigration. Similarly our regional areas would be ignored & abandoned in the spirit of "it'll do". What you [currently] see is what you would get no matter which way the immigration winds were blowing.
Your point about 'peak oil' does actually underscore the whole mess. What we are experiencing is not just a national or even regional event. These population shifts are part of a global crisis.
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Truth be told :
10 Jun 2011 11:49:48am
All this Racism talk...why, is there an election looming?
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alan :
06 Jun 2011 9:59:36pm
Australia is defiantly much more intolerant than other countries, even though there is much less diversity.
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Katherine :
23 Apr 2011 12:27:55pm
I am Australian. I have been living outside of Aus since I was 21, albeit a return for couple years and a short stint in queensland.
Is Australia racist? Yes. Is it in our history? Yes. Is the world racist? Yes.
Asia, Europe and US are racist.
I wish it would change, as I really want to come back home soon - I think there are so many beautiful things about Australia and I miss it.
Interesting to see - Australians that travel are the ones that have seen how great we can become through multiculturalism, the opportunities that lie here are obvious.How easily the opportunity is thwarted.
We need more people with balls in Australia to head our political agenda in the right direction. It starts at the top, just like a good company does. If you have something rotting from the top, it's poison will drip through the vines and kill the landscape. Agenda should be to attract more people to Australia, more immigrants - if our leaders would take a look at the world around them they will see what opportunity exists. A more intillegent race of individuals would select the best leaders, make the best business opportunities - a better Australia for everyone. Thats how you re-build culture. Where is our Martin Luther King? haha
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smd :
20 Apr 2011 8:36:24pm
I have lived here for over 16 years and im from nepal land of everest and I am married to an Australian wife who is a caucasian.despite that fact I have too experienced what i perceived as racist.One day I was just walking on a crowded street and i was deliberately pushed by a all dark blue uniformed caucasian policeman with a dog and I was so shocked that it took me a while to take in what exactly happened and he was gone before i could react.I could not do anything any way because he was the big guy with the big dog with power in a blue uniform.still,to this day that experience haunts me remains fresh in my mind.I hope no one has to experience that ever and people in that position should never abuse their power.
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M :
02 Apr 2011 4:37:35am
I am one of many 'international students' here in Australia. If I had known that Australians aren't happy to see how many 'international students', 'Asians' and 'the others' there are here, I would not have come to add on their frustrating feelings.
It's so true that I and many other Asians were told, by many Australian school and Uni people who flew to our countries and assist us to come here. I felt a 'more than welcome' attitude over there.
Having been here for 3 years, what I feel from people here is just absoloutely devastating.
Seriously, I feel sorry that I did not know how unhappy Australians are, seeing more and more of us coming to their country. I know how suffocating it would feel.
I still have to study here for the next 3 years. Then I will go back to my country for good.
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C :
04 Apr 2011 5:10:28pm
I am sorry that you feel that way. I personally am ashamed of my country that even one international student can feel that way. I try my best to not be racist and most of my friends come from other countries, including some from India, Chile and Sri Lanka.
I hope that you will reconsider your choice of not coming back. Not all Australians are racist. There is a racist undercurrent in our society, that much is a given. But it is also true in most countries and it is something most of us are trying to rid ourselves of.
We are mostly doing our best. Why should our entire country be condemned as racist by the action of some?
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aaron :
18 May 2011 1:18:49pm
it is sad that we take our frustrations out on the students. its not there fault that our government would rather give university places to overseas students and make it difficult for Australians to study. its the government we need to be questioning not the overseas students.
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rez :
31 May 2011 2:55:41pm
Human beings are not like a peach to eat them and through out the seeds. That's what Australian government is doing. bringing the students from overseas, using them (take the cash out of them) then just leave them unprotected in society. Why not telling the Australian people the truth that our universities are becoming certificate factories to make money? then the society would not be angry on foreign students as they would also look at them as dollars!
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Housing Disaster :
03 Jul 2011 7:07:42pm
Rez,
The problem is that our Universities and many of educational institutions have become permanent residency factories rather than educational institutions.
The main issues are
1) Many foreign students haven't taken the requirement to learn English seriously and have somehow made it through their courses due to lax educational standards by our universities. These students have then gone to get jobs in Australia and have struggled in many cases because of these poor English standards. Some, due to their poor English language skills have become prime candidates for our generous welfare sector. English is our language, its part of our culture, as professional you will need it to interact adequately in Australia. I don't think it is to much to ask young very intelligent people who want to remain in Australia after their studies to learn it and to learn to speak it well.
2) Some students have been picking the course because it offers PR rather than because it offers a good quality education in the area they want.
Bottom line is that the link between studying in Australia and gaining PR status was a mistake. It should have always been based on getting a stable well paying job in Australia not getting an Australian degree.
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M :
11 Jun 2011 1:34:36am
Thank you so much everyone for your reply :)
It's been 2 months since I left the comment... I never got back to view this article again... til today... once again that I googled 'racism Australia' and come back to this article.
My feeling is still the same. Australian government and Universities really should stop persuading overseas students (and immigrants) to come here, because we are not welcome.
Today, I've just finished all my exams and went to town to celebrate with friends (yes, Asian friends). We were enjoying cakes and drinks in a cafe, then I happened to hear a conversation nearby. There was a group of high school students, chatting out loud, and making fun of people who walk pass by the cafe. Most of what I heard were disgusting racist comments about Asians and Indians.
When I first came to Australia, I was happy and enthusiastic to meet new people. Now, I'm scared to talk to Australians. I feel more safe being with Asian friends. Many would ask why would we stick together and don't make friends with Australians? I have tried, hard, and it never really worked. After 3 years of living here, I've realized that they don't want to 'mix' with us.
It's interesting that I have read an article about 'culture shock'. I am probably in the third stage of 'culture shock' that I am scared, and avoiding to meet local people. I've given up and decided just to be with people who look like me and involve me in their cycle.
It's a long message now and my stories would be hard to end ;p I'll come back to this article again soon. Thank you for listening!
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Housing Disaster :
03 Jul 2011 7:26:19pm
M,
These are the net overseas migration figures for Australia over the last decade:
2000 - 100,000
2001 - 100,000
2002 - 110,000
2003 - 110,000
2004 - 100,000
2005 - 135,000
2006 - 145,000
2007 - 240,000
2008 - 300,000
2009 - 260,000
2010 - 220,000
The high levels of immigration over the last 5 years has not been matched by corresponding increases in building of homes or building of other necessary infrastructure. This has been a big cause of current homelessness crisis in Australia.
It should be fairly obvious why there has been a push back against the high levels of immigration over the last 5 years.
Unfortunately this push back against these high levels of immigration has been interpretted in some quarters as because of racism. Its not, its about excessively high levels of immigration that have ultimately had the impact of pushing more of our poor and disadvantaged in Australian society out onto the street. Its nothing to do with race.
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phillip :
21 Mar 2011 2:15:51am
I have lived in Australia for thirty years, I was raised in Sydney and have lived in Sydney most of my life..I have recognised that racism does exist in mainstream (Anglo-Australian) society. There is little direct discrimination practiced publicly, but racist attitudes within the working and middle class do exist, even the upper class have racist attitudes, however the working and middle are more explicit, whereas the upper are more conservative and are withheld.
Most Anglo Australians are not tolerant or understanding of different people, because they view Australia as predominantly their country, and they view themselves as superior and other non-western people as inferior. They have adopted a strong right wing nationalist view, however this not made into law or regulation, but is seen attitude and interaction. They are similar in nature to White Americans in the South of USA, they have a redneck attitude and mentality which is echoed throughout the lower, middle and upper classes. However in Australia everywhere is the South of the USA.
Robin William- the talented comedian from Hollywood who stayed in Melbourne and Sydney for under a year, said recently that all Australians are "rednecks", which is very true.
They are not willing to change their attitude, and their attitudes are in-built, meaning they have run from generation to generation since 1788.
If Indian, Chinese, middle eastern, or other meditteran person is sucessful, Anglo Australians can harbour slight resentment.
Most Anglo Australians feel comfortable, when the Indian man is the taxi driver or cleaner, the chinese man is quiet and runs his restaruant or small business, the middle eastern man runs his kebab shop, or is taxi driver, the greek man is the green grocer or works at the fish markets, and the Aboriginal man is drunk or driving a stolen car.They are still comfortable when 2-5% of each race hold professional job.
Overall there is no direct discrimination in the law or regulation. However there is an undercurrent of racist attitudes which is expressed by the working and middle class at home, work and public. The upper class are conservative, but hold similar views, but will not engage.
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Gazza :
18 Mar 2011 10:56:59am
It all started with the INVASION of Anglo Convict Settlers that sailed onto this Aboriginal owned land 200 or so years ago, which kicked off the "we whites are better than everyone else" mentality that is still alive in most Aussies mentality today.
Australia is truely racist to its bone, and proud to say and show it on the media today with no shame.
Its like a DOG mentality - take whats not theirs (land, resources, stolen generation etc) and do not SHARE and be equal owners with the rightful aboriginal land owners.
As long as they benefit from there takings they are happy and bark like a dog if different strangers (other immigrants) come close to it.
Thats the convict blood in them. Being drunk, loud, arrogant, rude, cocky and devious is their nature and culture and proud of it.
OIEY OIEY OIEY wheres the class.
Im glad most of the world know Australias TRUE COLORS with true docomentaries on the history of Australia and treatment of the aboriginal land owners, etc, shown and sold out there for the whole world to see.
Ive read some horror stories on this page from some innocent law abiding people on here.
Foreign Students and travellers beware. You have heard about the indian student beatings. peace.
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land lord :
27 Jul 2011 12:46:22pm
Yep, it seems to be sook, take, sook, take, just look at the cattleman, they want free land to graze on, then make a million dollars off public property, they run a bussiness, sometimes they go bust but the cattleman think they are special, and they get government hand outs yet they still sook
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aw :
14 Mar 2011 7:02:26pm
I am an Australian and would totally agree that racism is present within Aussie society. However, it is quite different to the racism present in many other cultures. Yes we tell and laugh at crude racist jokes but that does not mean that we actually believe in the stereotypes being perpetuated... it is simply a mechanism for dealing with a very multicultural society and part of our humour.. which many visitors do not understand
I Have travelled extensively through Asia, Europe, India and North America and I can definitely say that REAL racism - where racist stereotypes are not laughed at because they are taken as simple fact - is thoroughly present throughout Asia and Europe. Several Asian countries have racist legislation - like malaysia - which directly and intentionally advantages one race within the community over the others. In Europe far right wing white supremacist political parties are actually in positions of power - part of minority governments.
ALthough I have not travelled to Africa one only has to look at recent history to be able to laugh at any suggestion that Australian society is anywhere near as racist as many African societies. Think of Rwanda where at least 800 000 people where murdered because of their race! Think of Sudan 300 000 murdered because of race, Nigeria, South Africa, Angola, DRC etc etc
Indian society too is extremely racist. The ever present advertisements for skin lightening creams and lotions for example. Those with dark skin are generally the dalats or untouchables and are ruled out of participating in much of the society and economy. I could go on and on.
Yes Australia has a racist current running through it but it is not the institutionalised or culturally intrinsic racism present within other societies. Racists are generally looked down upon as ignorant bogans and not accepted within mainstream society.
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R :
27 Apr 2011 10:22:10am
Sorry, are you saying that because Australian Racism comes with a giggle or a joke its not as bad as other forms of racism? I am Irish & live in Australia with my Australian born & bred husband who is of Arabic descent. I have been absolutely sickened by people using the term "wog" in a jokey way. I had never heard the word until I moved here. Just because you say it with a smile doesnt make it any better.
I'll have to disagree also that it's only Bogan's as you say who are racist. While in a wine bar in the city an older professional gentleman was talking to me and then said "where's your friend from" about my husband..I replied "Sydney,the northern suburbs" he came back with "No, where's he really from...he's a wog." Now I asked this man what his surname was...and funny enough it was an Irish one....why oh why are celtic/anglo Australians so happy to question people they consider not to be Australian because of colour on their nationality when they blindly dont see that at one time they were the immigrants. Nationality is the passport/citizenship you hold...most of these people that are asked whats you're nationality are Australian. If it's race/ethnicity you're after then ask that.
The amount of Australians I've asked "Where are you from" and reply with here..well no,if we're talking about race then you're generally of European descent unless you're Aborginal! I can trace my Irish family back 200 years. Surely you've got enough cop on to be able to at least acknowledge where you've come from.
I get on my high horse when people are racist towards my husband. He was born here, and idenitfies with being Australian...it must be very hard when at almost every turn you're asked "where are you from". The racism I've experienced....well that's a whole other story!
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rez :
31 May 2011 3:17:56pm
That is true! Why should I be asked "Where are you from?" before even any conversation opens? only a deep racist mind can do that otherwise you would first talk and listen to somebody then if it was needed ask about their race which is still none-scene. Even when I reply "I am Australian" they ask " Where are you from originally?" This is discussing. it means they not only look at your race first but also look at your past roots and generations!!! how undeveloped are these people. 200 years of isolation from rest of the world maybe an explanation.
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Real owners :
16 Jun 2011 11:53:48am
Sorry mate, you dont.have a clue. It is Deeply ingrained in australian society since invasion, as a young aboriginal I have no faith in main stream australia to effectivly deal with its own bad racist behavior let alone change social racism, people beware most anglo australians will take any chance to play down racisim but as a non anglo I am under constant attack and forced to prove im worth equal treatment and forced to justify my aboriginal heritage on my own land. I read the comments and must note that what you read and see is only what they struggle to hide and ot runs deep in aus and is tied directly to.their false claim to this beautiful land. No treaty,no terranulius,no declaration of war equals no claim. If you want a little more insight on australian culture just check out australias most read journalist, the dishonable andrew bolt. Seriously twisted
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Mack :
02 Aug 2011 2:27:25pm
Are you aware that "many Indigenous australians will take any chance to believe racisim exists around every corner"? You said "I am under constant attack and forced to prove im worth equal treatment and forced to justify my aboriginal heritage on my own land." Can you give some examples of these attacks? Further, can you give some examples of racism (Australian culture) from Bolt?
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Luna :
25 Aug 2011 5:39:21pm
I was on the train once coming home from TAFE and an Aboriginal man jumped on the train and sat at the end of the carriage where I was sitting, I had seen him before walking near TAFE and I thought he was quite a funny man. Next thing I know, most of the people on my side of the carriage moved away to the other side. This poor man (obviously not an idiot, as presumed) realised what was going on and clearly did not find it pleasant, so he started asking for the time, louder and louder, but everyone ignored him. So I pulled my phone out and gave him the time. He just said "Thank you" and quetened down. This is what 'Real owners" is trying to say. Obviously you are the part of society that would move away with disgust and not realise the effects you are having on a whole culture of people. Ignorant.
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Joe :
04 Aug 2011 5:22:58am
What you talk about, what goes on overseas should give people cause to pause, stop and think. How do people of different colour, different ethnicity and different cultures get treated overseas. It must make us realise.
That there is such a thing as culture.
That there is such a thing as assimilation.
That there is such a thing as integration.
We know now that multiculturalism doesn't work, what works is cultural pluralism.
We know that even in the US where there is essentially one culture (if you discount the Hispanic Culture) between white, mixed race and African Americans that the problems of race are difficult, but they are not insurmountable. They can work themselves out.
We know that even in Europe where the divisions between different cultures of the same/similar ethnicity are very difficult. But again they can be worked out.
But where you get major problems is where the division in society coincides along race and culture. The problems associated with these are very difficult to work out. Australia already has one of these and it is with our indigenous population which is an urgent priority that we need to work very hard on. Importing more of these types of divisions may not be sensible particularly before we have effectively resolved our issues and problems with our first Australian culture.
I don't have any of the answers and I don't think any of the answers are easy.
But we must stop the thinking that mass immigration of people from different cultures and ethnicity is a cure to our racism problems. We must stop letting businesses wanting cheap skills and the people making money from immigration from driving the immigration agenda. We must look to our demographers and listen careful to their advice on immigration. Unfortunately this is not something politicians are very good at doing as they often cave into sectional interest groups within the community and also they must conform to norms created by our media/intellectuals. We must realise that immigration mistakes can last an eternity, long after the business justification for that immigration has gone.
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Teddy :
12 Mar 2011 4:26:12pm
I came to this country, Australia, to study. Sadly I was misinformed about Australians and their ways, because of the resentment I am experiencing, I am African (Black). Before coming to this country I was told and therefore convinced that Australia is multicultural and racism is as low as 3%. Now I can say that is a joke. It is such a challenge to experience racism in form of exclusion, isolation and all that kind of treatment which is not direct (sometimes direct)but clearly racist. I was one time on a public bus and there was this old lady seated next to me and she went on complaining to another old lady how black, yellow (I think she mentioned all colours of the rainbow)people have been allowed to migrate to this beloved country of theirs and she felt suffocated by all the colours and complaining how we are exhausting the resources of their children/grandchildren for that matter. And she did actually blame the government for changing immigration policies and allowing in more immigrants. What actually shocked me about the whole affair is that she was talking loudly and some fellow whites in the bus were listening intently . It is true racism is everywhere and Australians are largely racist and they shouldn't be informing the world otherwise.
And my funniest experience while in Australia, is that I also experience resentment from Asians: that is very very very funny!!!!
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rez :
31 May 2011 3:23:08pm
man I totally sympathy with you. this is not a country for blacks or any other colours. They have been hunting black aborigines for fun! like hunting kangaroos. It is not a long time ago.
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Truth be told :
10 Jun 2011 11:53:32am
Lol-not..then it must be a country for blue-bloods,( yet to come across such) ,not red-bloods
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Steven :
28 Feb 2011 12:18:08am
Discussions in regards to racism in Australia is getting tired. Racists come in many forms. From the fat white executive, the redneck bogans, the mainstream media and shockingly school teachers and police force.
First things first. Australia has become a successful multicultural country. The "Aussies" would have to get over themselves and just make the best of it. Better still embrace it, if that is not too much to ask.
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BK :
25 Feb 2011 12:07:55am
I think Australia's racism manifests from its insecurity...its not England, nor is it America, but its surrounded by Asia...it has an identity crisis. its stuck in the nostalgia of the past. and that type of mentality is what results in the racism of its ppl.
it an old fashioned conservative culture...this kind of culture not only promotes racism but prevents growth and development
Australia has a great opportunity to become a nation that bridges the gap between East and West, yet it chooses to remain conservative and fearful of change...its a shame really...
i hope the younger generation will be different
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Uluru :
19 Feb 2011 11:05:49am
Australian racism is thinly (and cleverly) veiled as "protectionism", by the people who so badly want the land and power. It reminds me of a bunch of white immigrants from countries where racial intolerance was changing, affecting their racist agenda, status and empowerment in society.
The sentiment today hasn't really changed, look at the media, and all the major players and leaders in society, they are all white. Some of the so-called Australian heroes like Patterson was a racist.
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Juliane Seitz-Las :
17 Feb 2011 10:42:47am
Racism is a good example of how divide and conquer works.The more divided we are,the better we can be ruled. The possibilities are endless:
money, skin colour, faith, you name it.The only way out is education.It really is up to us.
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Steven McIntyre :
21 Jan 2011 5:50:26pm
I am truly dismayed at what I have read here but it is the undeniable truth. Unlike some others I will freely admit Australia in general is racist.
I was born in Melbourne and now live in Brisbane. Almost all of my friends are Asian (predominantly Chinese). I have been learning how to speak, read and write Chinese for more than a year and went to China for a 2 week holiday during 2010.
I must be one of the "odd" white Australians; with very few Australian friends. I spend almost all my time with Asian friends instead. Eventually I may just move to China instead. I have serious doubts about spending most of my life in my own country
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sadsydney :
19 Jan 2011 11:32:18pm
there used to be a special police squad known as 'middle eastern crime squad ' or something here that targeted ....well you guess it... middle eastern crime gangs. well is it just me or does this seem a bit RACIST?? A special police squad just for a these particular type of people. I can understand that these 'people' are involved in a lot of crimes, but seriously , would you have an "African-American Police Squad" in America?
I have been living in Sydney for the past 4 years. This country is supposed to be multi cultural and diverse but this is the case only in the main city and the suburbs surrounding it. As you all can see from all the comments below it self , what the living condition is for us immigrants i dont think i have anything to add as it will be the same story for any non aussies , especially the asians and indians .
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Observer :
30 Jan 2011 2:15:13am
LOL!!! That seriously made me laugh! Even the most liberal Australian commenting on a race article still manages to sound amazingly condescending! Just read the terminology:
" these particular type of people"
The word 'people' in quotation marks.
"these 'people' are involved in a lot of crimes"
wow just...wow.
I was asked to come work in Australia as a consultant, spent two months...never again! With a name like Ahmed you can be sure to be treated horribly, and these people need to get civilized, seriously!
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ruchi :
17 Feb 2011 3:02:42pm
Observer,
You failed to observe one very crucial thing, the OP you are referring to obviously learnt English as a Secondary language. It's more a grammatical error than racial from where I stand.
He specifically mentions "us immigrants".
I agree with everything else both you and the OP has to say.
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Paper :
27 Feb 2011 11:59:32pm
Their is still a middle eastern crime investigation section in NSW Police today 2011. How I know I worked as temp for 3 years 7 months with the Police as admin.
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Sam :
19 Jan 2011 1:05:05am
Australia is racist country. There is no doubt in that. I find white people just being issued a warning for driving offences while their asian counterparts get a ticket for sure. They do not like you if you are from a different country. First they give you visas to come here because these people do not want to work and live on Centerlink, and then when you arrive here they tell you to go back. How stupid is that..? I had many people from "white countries" complaining of racism in Australia, leave the Asians alone. The first question they ask you, "where are you from" why did you come here? They do not know that they are also immigrants like us, then who are they to ask us where we came from..?
Racism is deep rooted in their culture, their way of dealing with people. I find racism almost in every day public dealings .
I went to claim the flood assistance, and at the Centerlink office they asked me, "are you Australian"? Do you have Australian visa? Clearly knowing that it is a fraud or serious offence to apply for assistance if you do not have eligibility, and no person in his/her sound mind would ever attempt that. The tone of the lady was such that whole of queue was staring at me. What an insult?
Today speaking with a police personnel, "You accent is very bad, I can hardly understand you" Can you speak slowly? There are people from all nationalities living in this country, if you cannot understand people from different nationalities you have no right to work there because you do not work in a "white-only" country. Instead of apologising, he hung up the phone on me with a bang!!!!!!
I think this is the most racist country I have or will ever live. They are the most rude and abusive people I have ever seen. Abusing is a way of life here.
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Jockey :
28 Feb 2011 1:05:40am
Sam your making a stereotypical assumption without true facts that Asian are picked on more than white people. However the two faces "welcome" & "get out" is because of government not the people. Here their is a rising issue with immigration as a growing percentage of Australian want to see it decreased a lot, because of housing, employment and resources getting less and less. However Government is ignoring the Australian people about this issue as immigration is lining government pockets with lots of money. Thus, immigrants are getting false message of welcome advertised by governments were the people are saying no more for the moment stop!.
Further, with racism that is everywhere regardless were you go in the world especially in Asia. My Mother comes from the Philippines and many Asians their of different races can be just as rooted in cultural racism as anyone else. Moreover, with Centerlink it allways been trash I try to avoid them like a bad smell regardless what happens. Lots of people regardless if their racial group dislike Centerlink so I'm not surprised by your attitude. Hence, the Police Personnel that couldn't understand you may have not been white at all, your making another "stereotypical assumption" that all police are white which is incorrect. I worked for the Police, many are non-white. Accordingly, I've asked people of non English specking backgrounds to speck slowly and Asians have asked me while I was overseas the same thing, it doesn’t mean their being nasty or insulting.
Furthermore, you don't know what immigrant means. When a person is born in Australia they are not immigrants no more, regardless of their historical migrant background. I could say everyone in Asia and Europe and the Middle East are immigrants just because years and years ago they all came from Africa which history has stated. A immigrant is only a "Immigrant" when he/she is born overseas and moves to live in another country! I find it is a poor excuse, stance and attack for acceptance by pointing at people born in Australia "your immigrants as well" when were not" and a lot of us find this really insulting and doesn't help your cause.
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stevel :
28 Mar 2011 1:10:11am
on behalf of the very small minority of Australian citizens who are not racist , I would like to apologize to the people who come to this country and are victimized by racist attitudes, I have travelled widely and lived in many different countries and quite frankly am constantly embarrassed when people in europe or the U.S. or asia ask me why Aussies are so racist, the only truthful answer is to say that they are ignorant. it is a big isolated island that is far behind many other countries in social evolution. i have even experienced resentment from other australians when I tell them that I lived in the U.S. for 10 years and China for 3 years. that look at me like i am some sort of traitor, it has become so difficult for me to tolerate this backward society that although i am a 4th generation Australian , I just want to get out of here and move to a place where the people are not so ignorant, I am in fact at the moment applying for a work visa to live in Japan. much to the shock of my Australian relatives.
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eureka :
30 Mar 2011 12:46:34pm
I've been out almost everyday after the Coalition win (26 March 2011) and have seen 3 instances of direct and indirect racial discrimination in short 3 days.
God knows what's gonna happen to poor migrant Australian in the coming days. May god protect these poor people!
Those kind of attitude discourages people to go out and spend. And one day may be even outta the country, voluntarily.
Nobody leaves their country to get hassled. They live for brighter future.
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John-Raj :
08 Dec 2010 3:54:13pm
Racism runs deep, in every sphere in Australia, but its mostly implied or implicit than explicit. My experience with racism is in various forms.Sarcastic remarks, stereotyping, sweeping generalizations,making fun of my different sounding name, taking dig at my culture or religion and sometimes the ubiquitous outright yelling "go back to your f****** country".These are all pretty obvious but the recent one i found is by experimenting, which clearly proved racist tendency in recruitment practices.I have sent resumes to the same agencies with my own name, which is considered 'different', for which there was hardly any response, while the same resume with an anglosaxon, christian name and different mobile number got me 70% more responses. I don't know this tendency is in majority of OZs or minority;i started to believe its the former.So,goodluck to all with 'different' sounding names in this country plus the usual regular racism.I don't see a real solution to this problem.It'll continue.
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Valentine :
28 Jun 2011 1:41:41pm
Thank you very much! I am having the same problem myself. I have better qualification than my partner but she get responses each time she applied for a job. I am yet to get one!!!! Then she took to the Job network or whatever they call it. The dude told me to try applying for jobs with a different name. WTF?!?!?!
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fusion :
07 Dec 2010 4:59:27pm
I am an Aussie, half Asian and half Caucasian but I look more ethnic than Anglo/ Celtic. Racism is everywhere. But I think that the media everywhere is partly responsible in inciting hate, racism, xenophobia, ignorance and prejudice. For example, how many times does the media (news, current affair type programs and newspapers) run scare stories about asylum seekers, refugees and ehtnic (non-white) migration? Stories about how we're being turned into a muslim nation or newcomers (non-white) are "stealing" our jobs. What a load of sensationalised dung. Australia is pre-dominantly an Anglo/ Celtic society. The minorities are from Italy, Greece, China, Indonesia, etc. Both uneducated and educated people can be racist. It really depends on their rearing and how much their parents, social group and other type "role models" have influenced them whilst growing up. And inaction by governments around the world doesn't help to curb ignorance and hate. But there are many other factors which breeds racism.
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Vince :
06 Dec 2010 4:26:38am
I came here from Canada but have lived in Australia the past 11 months. I feel as though I traveled 50-60 years back in time when it comes to cultural diversity. I'm scared to walk alone in Australia because the locals tend to hate and harass any non-native non-whites. I'll be glad to go back to the future in Canada in one more month.
PS, personal opinion: Australia may have a violent drinking problem.
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Ian :
15 Dec 2010 1:01:51pm
Im glad someone else can validate my experiences here. 4 more weeks and I ll be home too, in a country where everyone is treated as one race... the human race.
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Real owners :
16 Jun 2011 12:04:44pm
Mate if they could wipe aboriginal people of the face of the earth they wouldnt think twice, whites only here, aboriginals get the worst treatment unless you listen to the lies.
Whats worse is.all the migrants turn a blind eye inturn becoming the perpetrators. To say your better than this and not speak up is just as bad
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Canadian in Australia :
26 Nov 2010 7:47:43pm
I am Canadian and have been living in Australia for about a year now. Not to speak poorly or to offend, but I have recently concluded that Australia IS the most racist country I have ever been to. And I have been all around the world to nearly 30 countries. Its sad really to see, we are all of the same race, the human race. I just hope things change here. But Australia, don't kid yourself... you are VERY VERY RACIST!!!
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Canadian in Australia :
28 Nov 2010 7:03:16pm
just to command you for your comment about Australian Racism. I am completly with you.
Dona
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Just another person :
23 Mar 2011 6:15:45pm
I don't believe it is fair to say that Australia as a whole is a racist country. I believe that is quite a BIG generalisation and i think it is worth noting that not all Australians are racist. However, i definitely agree with you that racism in Australia is not obsolete. Humans simply created racism. It is human nature to want to categorise items, things, and even sadly people by different characteristics. And it is unfortunately this nature that has led to the belief in which one race is superior over another.
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Interesting :
19 Nov 2010 1:12:48pm
Just so you know, there is only one race on Earth and that is the human race. there are sub-races such as chinese, african, aborigine and so on but all in all everyone is human are they not?
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An Aussie asian boy :
13 Nov 2010 5:19:58pm
I have made observations over the 16 years of my life, watching TV, watching people, newspapers and I think that a lot of Australian aren't racist. They just see themselves as superior compared to those who "seem" different. I have seen that a lot of Aussie people are a lot bigger than those who aren't "white" and they use this as their advantage against those who they know won't fight back. If you ask me, I think MOST Australian "White" people are very racist and seriously speaking it is really not fair. Australia is supposed to be the most multicultural country in the world and I have not seen a lot of this in action.
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An Australian of Asian decent :
06 Nov 2010 12:34:45pm
I understand how Australians can be viewed as racist. Esecially with the Indigenous Australian's lack of support. And i too have had derogative racist comments targeted at me. But sometimes I think otherwise.
I have a group of friends who are made up of Asians, Sri-Lankans and Caucasians. And we are always taking the piss out of eachother's races but we never feel seriously discriminated against.
And even when I'm watching comedy TV shows and they start poking fun at other races etc. I laugh along. Because I know they are just generalisations and like all generalisations, it's not always true but not necessarily false either. Why aren't the blondes in the world protesting that they are not dumb?
My point is that it is up to us how receptive we are to such commentary. But when it comes to social equality issues such as with the Aboriginals; and then we start putting ourselves on pedastals, that is unacceptable.
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Derek :
27 Oct 2010 7:25:19pm
I do believe racism is everywhere, including Australia. People from some countries merely kept their racist thoughts to themselves. Others including Australia prefer to express their intolerance verbally and even through conduct. I am an Asian and not an Australian. I have been in this country for many years. I used to try and maintain positive views about aussies but recent events have disappointed me. I have been called a monkey and been spit on by an aussie bloke in my own neighborhood. I would have easily forgotten about this if he was drunk or on drugs. But, he was clearly sober and was bringing a pizza home. I am clearly shocked at this behavior, especially since I live near the city in Sydney. I have ignored my previous racist encounters due to the fact that some were drunk, and some were just young. The recent racist encounter hit me more than previous ones as he looked like the average aussie you see on the street.
I had expected aussies to be more tolerant but clearly they might have internalized asianphobia.
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Australia Sucks :
15 Oct 2010 11:45:28am
Honestly this article and the comments that follow make for interesting read. I am african and a postgrad student. My experience is that Aussies are racists(pure and true) but they get overly defensive when reminded of the fact.Denial in no way changes the fact or truth.I usually hang out at the univesrity restaurant cum bar and by no intents of mine always end up alone.So you will understand my serious suprise when for the first time ever in two years a white guy walks up and sits next to me and strikes up a converstion. At the end of the day we exchange contacts and i get to find out that he was actually an American exchange student.His views about aussies is entirely another matter. But importantly i got to understand that Americans may have been prejudiced towards native americans or blacks but Aussies outclass both the british or Americans when it comes to racism and prejudice.
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Jae :
30 Sep 2010 10:02:50pm
If anyone should be opposed to other races, it should be countries like India or China which have a culture of several thousands of years and are proud of it. Compared to them, Australia is nothing.
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Me :
29 Aug 2010 10:02:40am
I am an Australian, and not racist at all, I have many friends of many colours and races, and they are amazing people.
But I do know many who are very racist, not against aborigines really, but more towards asians.
I don't think everyone in Australia is racist, and it really sucks that the majority of the world think we are, but the reality is we aren't all like that. And most other countries are the same, with their varying degrees of racist comments and happenings. I mean, of course Australia should work on these attitudes, but the world is being racist to Australia if they want to name names too. Seriously, the entire world needs to grow up and realize that not everyone is going to be the same, look the same or talk or act the same.
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dhruv :
12 Oct 2010 11:43:15pm
I am an indian and i agree with you
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lena :
08 Dec 2010 4:40:17pm
yes, of course
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Martin :
20 Aug 2010 12:27:42am
Is any country who locks up asylum seekers or turns away boats containing asylum seekers a racist country?
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John-Raj :
08 Dec 2010 4:03:21pm
Racism is not just about boats and asylum seekers. Obviously, you seem to be in your own 'little' well.
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Dylan :
02 Aug 2010 9:28:42pm
Wait, did this report just say:
"Attitudes in the white macho middle class didn't change. It was a badge of honour among the emotionally and intellectually beleaguered (and challenged) conservatives in the middle class to oppose anything the Whitlam government instituted."
Thats another way of saying unintelligent and non-rich Australians are racist!
This report is not only racist, but class-ist too.
This report is completely biast and shows little evidence of proof. Yes it has shown an attack on an indian student, but this was one occasion by a small amount of students. If Indian student bashings was happening all over Australia then yes, this is racism. But its not , its a one time thing that was given too much media attention, as shameful as it was.
The report then goes on about government actions by politics. At what point do politician views and attempts of power and money represent the general population views?
Look at the real facts, we are leading the world in marriages where the two people are from different parts of the world. One would only need to look at reports from other countries, even first world ones, to see many, many more reports on race-based attacks.
I ask everyone reading this to please research this topic properly before making up your minds. Both me and Bruce (the bloke who wrote this article) have left out a lot of important information.
(I would go on, but ABC dosn't want replies too far over 500 words)
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koko :
27 Jun 2010 9:28:49pm
i think it isnot strange the racism in Austraia because all of us know what was happened from stolen generation
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Sumi A. Akumu :
15 Jun 2010 2:34:56pm
Bruce Haigh, the writer of the article has acknowledged the fact that racism does exist in Australia. There is no doubt about that. To think that it can suddenly go away is a nice religious dream where people find comfort. Racism is everywhere; not just Australia. I also think if you look for racism in every aspect of your life you will damn well find it. You know, the idea of associating every mishap and mistake to your colour and all that. In the meantime the Africans making noise here about 'racism' need to look in the mirror. What about tribalism? The one held up high in Africa? What is the difference? I come from Kenya where tribe rules. That is the sole reason why I work in Australia, even though I love my country to bits and would love to work there.
I PARTLY agree with the Melbourne African resident who asked why people can't leave Australia if it is so racist. I have also met many, many immigrants [not just Africans] here who will sing to you all day about how their country is better than yours . . . and you wonder, "great, why then, don't you want to go back there? Why are we both here?" And the argument stops right there :) Immigrants are naturally 'saddened' by being away from home. As a result we can develop some not-so-appealing attitudes. A cousin of a Sudanese friend of mine was killed in a Sudanese/Afghan brawl in April: Two sets of immigrant communities fighting for the 'right' to be in Australia.
And, forget the Aussies, there are many, many Asians here who see Africans as 'intruders who do not fit in'. One went ahead to tell me I had an 'strange' accent . . . I found it very funny given I could barely understand a word s/he was saying in that 'no-accent' of his/hers. One wonders . . . last time I checked only dumb people do not have accents (they cannot speak).
Oh well; it's really about individuals anyway. There are some really good people out here and there are some evil people too! Racism is everywhere folks. Drink up and live your life :)
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Truth be told :
10 Jun 2011 11:37:01am
A Kenyan,motherland's is an excusable case,it is a "third world/ developing" country with teething problems..tribalism really is a refuge of the country-side born and bred folks,and/or partially schooled at.,and for,politicians & power mongers..Australia however, claims to be a "developed world",yet all "Aussie", act in a manner to suggest,equivalent of country-bum mentality(racist)..other " immigrants" after then being subjected to such attitudes and conditioning,then take on the "oppressors" role/attitude, as a way of soliciting acceptance..asking if you don't like it why stay..? Why remove a prickle from your foot, band-aid it instead?
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Sumi A. Akumu :
16 Jun 2011 12:45:05pm
Umm, personally? I don't think there is any difference between tribalism and racism. Come to think of it, the former is worse, because you see yourself as better than another African and/or Kenyan. Reason - "You hate the surname" and "people from that area". Ring a bell? :) :) That's our motherland for you. Imagine Victorians starting to reject (or simply ignore) your job application solely because you are applying from NSW/WA/SA, even when you DO qualify for the job. I once applied for a job in St Kilda and was invited to an interview the very next day, even though I was miles away and they could see from the address). Have you ever heard Africans discussing racism with so much contempt and utter "shock"? Jaws dropping on the floor with "How can they do that to me! Huh? Because I am black?" LOL. Too funny. That saying about pot-calling the kettle black (Nyani haoni kundule in Swahili). Racism is in Australia, no doubt (both direct and indirect). This is EVERYWHERE on planet earth. However, tribalism in Africa (Kenya to be precise) is almost beyond repair. Take a look at our current government "situation":) My goodness, every damn thing is based on tribe!
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Valentine :
28 Jun 2011 2:08:19pm
"KENYA" Not the whole of Africa. I really hate it when an African is trying to make him/herself feel good but putting us all down. what do you know about tribalism? what do u know about world politics? do u even know why u moved to Australia and not Australians wanting to move to Kenya? why is Africa still poor? why is there so much disease there? U need a history lesson. The answer is not far fetched if only u can think. Me and u are the victim of circumstance and Africa is like a farm where they come and harvest. A word is enough for the wise...count your teeth with your tongue.
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Sumi :
01 Jul 2011 11:51:37am
Relax, Valentine. Before we get to that History lesson that I need so much, do you know the meaning of "and/or" in a sentence? Who are these "they" who come to harvest? You are right; maybe I do need a History lesson. Where are these countries found? - Rwanda, Kenya, Burundi, South Africa, Ivory Coast, Zimbabwe, Ethiopia, Somali, Uganda, Sudan etc. In case you have not noticed what I am driving at, read news, watch TV or travel. I do have an idea why Africa is still poor. Two words come to mind - Corruption and tribalism. You don't have to agree with me. Your opinion; your right. I don't see much difference between racism and tribalism. That happens to be my opinion. Create yours and relax ey. By the way I was responding to Kenyan regarding what you might want to call "Kenyan tribalism" , so I am not sure what you are on about. I rest my case.
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Australian :
23 May 2010 12:25:28pm
Can I ask you to look in the history books we have been isolated done here for 200 years even after the creation of the internet during the world wars we were at constant threat of been invaded and killed by the countries of Asia just look in the history books guys we have tons of reasons to hate some cultures
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me :
31 May 2010 7:09:12pm
Read a book. During WWI there was no threat to Australia, except that Britain was at threat and we relied heavily on Britain. There was certainly no nation who intended to invade Australia. In WWII Japan was our only realistic threat, and they never intended to invade. Sure they attacked Darwin and made their way to Sydney, but they decided that Australia was too big a job, and we were attacked for fighting on the side of Britain and the U.S. Japan is ONE country. If you want to hate Japan for something that happened 70 years ago, by all means do that, but opinions and generalisations like yours are the reason Australia is considered racist.
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D :
13 Jun 2010 6:53:04am
HATE is never a good thing.
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Glen :
11 Aug 2010 2:29:52am
Why did the guy promoting hate have to call himself Australian. According to this theory aboriginals have just as much right to hate white Australian's. I bet Mr. Australian here would have a problem with being told that he is no better than his muderous and racisits ancestors
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A Guy :
22 May 2010 12:33:06pm
Hope you guys do realise that both our last t PM's are Traditionalists. Those who say that we are the only racist country in the world haven't even watched the Americain movie Tropic Thunder in which a Black Australia is played by Robot Downy Jnr. You can just hate us for saying smoe things when EVERYONE does it in EVERY COUNTRY
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D :
13 Jun 2010 6:54:49am
Just because EVERYONE does it in EVERY country does not make it right. By the way EVERYONE does not do it in EVERY country.
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Traveller :
30 Jul 2010 3:42:18am
I've lived in 23 different countries, all with very different cultures and point of views. It is true that racism exists and unfortunately always will. That said, I must say (being an aussie myself) that I feel quite ashamed of the behaviour of aussie people towards immigrants. Simply because they have a different skin colour or speak another language doesn't mean that it is ok to treat them badly. I work in recruitment and I see this happen every single day. There is a LOT of polite racism, so to speak. Australia needs to change and people need to think differently. The true australian are aboriginal people not the white settlers. I think the younger generation in bigger cities is getting better but still FAR away from where we need to be. Change won't happen until we expose and educate our society to other cultures and make some effort. Being white doesn't make you better than the person with darker skin or because they speak with a different accent.
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15 Years Old :
04 Aug 2010 1:49:17pm
While this may be so, the reason behind this is mainly the fact that they could be terrorists. Personally, I don't see the treatment of the immigrants bad, however it definitely isn't good. We must keep in mind that they have disobeyed the law in our country and theirs and although it may be for the right reasons it is illegal and normally they would be punished. For the sole purpose of national security it is probably best that the immigrants stay out of our country until they can come here legally (if possible).
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Glen :
11 Aug 2010 2:42:48am
Man you are 15 years old, they're all criminals and 'they might be terrorists'. You know what these people are? They're desperate, thats what. These aren't cruise liners they're on, people die on these boats. We couldn't even imagine how desperate someone would have to be to not just risk their own life but that of their families to escape to a better world. Terrorists wouldn't come in boats, they would come legally.
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tetot :
11 Aug 2010 9:57:39pm
15 year old
You have to think more before you run your words in hate comments. You need proof like proof if Dr. Haneef was really a terrorist.
Now, do you have proof on all you state here ?
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Spectre :
21 Sep 2010 3:28:45pm
being 15 i would hardly say that you have seen the depth of life to pass judegement so quickly.
no nobody wants to leave a home they love, they leave because of desperation. and who in thier right mind jumps in to a boat not knowing what thier fate might be.. it is desperation.. show a little apathy.imagine yourself being in a situation like that and then think.. i myself from abroad. from a tiny island called maldives. i used to think it is paradise for me but slowly my country is destroying itself without leaving a future fot its people.
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sydney sider :
04 May 2010 10:03:13am
Our government encourages immigration, it was, until last year the greatest reason for population growth. International students bring in valuable income. Almost the entire country is built by migrants, so who are we racist against? The prmier of NSW is of American origin and a migrant, BUT she is white.
So are people generally racist against non-whites? And you see it everyday.
I travel by bus everyday, and the seat next to me remains empty until all other seats are filled, or another dark skin person comes and sits next to me! Isn't this people being racist?
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Derek :
27 Oct 2010 7:28:43pm
This happens to me a lot since I have darker skin colour.
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Caitlin and Ariana Banana :
28 Apr 2010 11:39:10am
Guys, make peace and love
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Casey :
18 Apr 2010 11:46:27am
Australia is racist. Not everyone in it is, but the majority. I'm in grade 12 and in my school I would say 75% of all my class mates both hate Asians, because they are 'invading, and they hate the aboriginals because they all are 'slack and pathetic'. I don't believe this myself but I also have to say that the countries saying we are all racist are being very predjudic, expeccially America, because unlike them we don't actually have any group, that I know of, like the KKK that actually attack in mass amounts.
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tony sebestian :
12 Jun 2010 5:38:51pm
KKK is a rascist group but not all whites r associated with it(is'nt barrack obama is a black) and blacks have prospered in US and r in many prominent positions be its in sports or in administration but regarding white australians they do rascism even without forming any such groups and we donno any other non-whites apart from Cathy Freeman.guess u understand y australia is called a rascist country
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Bee :
12 Apr 2010 9:26:17am
Im an Australian, I always have been. There are some...SOME violent people out there, but not everyone is racist, infact, other counties calling us all racist and accusing us al as being racist are being racist themselves. I will admit that things havd been done to the indigenous...in the past! That was then, this is now, and those people that did those deeds are not us! Maybe people should look past the steriotypes and accusations and assumptions and actually see Australia for the beautiful country it is.
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Hamish :
05 May 2010 9:23:05pm
What does it mean to be Australian? how do u define an Australian?
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I'm being sarcastic :
11 Aug 2010 2:46:26am
Oh so there is no racisim towards aboriginals now, none at all, its all in the past, thanks Bee I was confused
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Reason :
15 Feb 2011 2:46:36pm
To be australian means to hold an australian citizenship, nothing more.
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Smith :
20 Mar 2011 2:16:55pm
I am an indian and i agree to what you say
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rez :
31 May 2011 4:30:55pm
this how you just like to close your eyes on the reality and live with your illusion of Australia. So there is no racism against aborigines now? Who was the Aussie baked in police van in WA? How many aboriginal PM/MP do we have? Who much is the difference between aboriginal towns and other Australian cities regarding quality of schools, hospitals, sports,....? I don't think you don't know these issue.
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Max :
09 Apr 2010 4:36:06pm
My observation:
One thing i would like to say (and I'll probably have some people up in arms about this comment) is what i have personally noticed about racist people is that they are physically very unattractive beings. If you don't think I'm right, think about all the racist people you have ever come across - they are ugly on the inside and on the outside.
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Perth Student :
07 Apr 2010 3:08:47am
Hi all!!
What a good discussion thread i must say. From 1996 to 2001 I was a University student living in Perth. I must say Australia is a beautiful country, however i must admit that quite a handful of aussies are racist.
I remember being shouted at "asian go back home!!" while i was walking down the street. There are some contributers to the thread that pointed out racism in asian societies.
One comparison that i would like to touch upon is that, yes, Asians are racist as well, but the kind of racism that exists here is very different. For the vast majority of the time, its more subtle, more subliminal, and rarely violent, rarely abusive. This is especially true in south east asia. For example, the government policies might be blatantly racist, but we dont kill people, rape, maim or shout abuses and insult a person for his skin colour.
In australia, its more in your face, base kind of racism. Its a very "uncultured" way of conveying your hate towards another person. Very typical of the Yob mentality of soccer hooligans frankly.
But thankfully, mainstream Australia, from my experience, is generally tolerable to live with. Most aussies are not racist or perhaps "hide" their true beliefs, so i felt i had more psychological breathing space when i was there.
The idea of having to speak with an aussie accent and integrating to the mainstream, i feel will never happen for minority groups. Its not part of the natural human instinct you see. Even caucasian expatirates here rarely mingle with the locals in asia. They are seperate component in our society. On the same token, we dont care, we live and let live. People will always feel more comfortable with their own kind, look around the world, the pattern is undeniable.
What you should look for, is that, migrants speak with general fluency of the english language, dont commit crimes, respect local culture,contribute to the economy. Complete integration is nonsense, it has never happenned in human history.
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Happy African :
12 Jun 2010 1:46:32pm
I agree Perth Student.
Those brutish Aussies need to find a more "cultured" way of expressing their hatred and loathing of other races. They could learn a lot from you sophisticated asians.
"This is especially true in south east asia. For example, the government policies might be blatantly racist, but we dont kill people, rape, maim or shout abuses and insult a person for his skin colour."
Who are you fooling? You may not do these things based on skin colour (neither do most Aussies, as far as I can tell) but you do it based on ethnicity, religion, class, language group etc. Look at Indonesia's brutal occupation of East Timor (180,000 dead), the Thai government's persecution of Muslims in the south, the hostility towards and persecution of ethnic Chinese in almost every country in South_east Asia.
You're just arrogant.
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Perth Student :
18 Jun 2010 2:40:03am
Hi Happy African, appreciate ur feedback.
If u wud care to re-read, i sed vast majority of the time, Not all the time. Simply put, every day life is normally not interrupted by racist slurs and violence. I also admitted we asians are racist, even more racist, i must add, than the western world.So once in a while, yes, major eruptions of violence do occur.Indonesian invasion was not racist, more territorial, thai muslims persecution was due to extremism on one side, and the lunatic thaksin on the other. As for Persecution of chinese, well Im chinese, and yes, Im being discriminated against. But ive never been beaten or feared for my safety due to my race, there's a subtle variance. Im just looking from my own lens of experience, its not sacrosanct by any means. Also, i did say most aussies are not racist, and only a few are.
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Broken English :
21 Jul 2010 2:45:05pm
Perth Student, at the end of the day the victims are not people like you who were discriminated against but those who refused to learn and accept orther cultures. They are most likely left behind
while others move forward and prosper from the growth of tha Asian economies.
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Stevo :
15 Sep 2010 2:15:25pm
Broken English, are you sure about that?? I migrated from Taiwan to Australia in 1976, i was only 2 months old. Anyway, the time that Pauline "One Nation" Hanson spoke out about being swamped by asians, i was targeted by five aussie blokes at Flinders St station because i was asian. I did nothing wrong, and was on my way home from working at the Mooba festival. So, do you call that being a victim or you still believe that being labelled a "victim of hate" is for those who don't assimilate into our society? Just letting you know, my first language is English, and secondary is Mandarin, although i can't speak Mandarin properly cause i grew up here.
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kevin rudd :
25 Mar 2010 6:38:28pm
lol everyone get over themselves.
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bob :
08 Aug 2010 2:29:59pm
you get over yourself. it is a serious issue
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Jess :
25 Mar 2010 11:04:38am
I Personnaly think Racism Is Stupid We Are All Equal !!! If You Have A Problem With Everywun Making A Place For EVerywun Then Get Out of Here . Australians Are Just Stubborn Im Australian My Self And Yet i Seem To Get Along With the Maoris And Aboriginals Use Need To Get It through Your Thick Heads That We Ar All Equal . Dont Like It Get Lost Out Of Australia Because Australia Should Not be Racist If You Wanna Be Racist Go To New York Or London Or SOmething . WERE ALL EQUAL
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Traveller :
30 Jul 2010 3:52:06am
Hah! Are we all equal? IT is great to read that but the reality of life EVERYWHERE in EVERY COUNTRY is that people are not treated equally. Somehow, the white skin is always thought to be better. Why? No idea. I myself and an aussie and well yes white but I have never treated anyone based on race. It is about the kind of person you are and how you are raised. People need to stop being racist, hypocritical and get off their high horse. Skin colour should not be important.
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Jordan Barnes :
19 Nov 2010 12:57:05pm
Plus that's also being racist to Americans.
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john :
15 Mar 2010 11:07:01pm
Australia is undeniably racist but not very racist. I reckon Hong Kong and Chinese people are way more racist than white Australian. Being a southeast Asian Chinese myself I had no problems with making friends with whites in Australia. But when I was with a friend from Hong Kong we went out with his other friends who are from Hong Kong as well but those people just kept on speaking Cantonese which I don't understand and his friends just ignored me like I was a ghost and not there and never once they talked to me even when I introduced myself they only let out a "forced" smile. That kind of thing happened every time I meet his friend!! What is wrong with them?? And they (those hong Kong people) called Australians racist
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jo :
16 Mar 2010 6:42:32am
I personally want to apologize for my fellow Hongkong(nese). I live in California half of my life and planning to move to Sydney. And one of the concerns I have is how Australian views the overwhelmed Chinese population. I went there few years ago, and I was shocked how many Chinese in downtown, and how many of them speaking only in Cantonese loudly. Being in California for so many years, I feel very comfortable of the diversity and respects we have for one another. I married to an Aussie, he is Asian but who can't understand Chinese at all. Despite him re-assuring me Sydney is very diverse. I am still curious to find out the truth myself. So I research the racism issue in Australia and came across you posting. Please understand not all Hong Kong people acts that way, and those who act like that, they are prob. just being ignorant and not confident enough to branch out. In my opinion that is super sad and stupid. But o well, at least you can be the one who raise above and keep talking to them to break the cycle? I thinking by not extending the negative accusations to another race and start embracing different cultures will stop racism.
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Alexis :
18 Apr 2010 5:48:51pm
'Racism' and 'Cultural' behavior could be two seperate things would you agree? HongKong ppl are naturaly rude...It seems to be constant on every HongKong folk..They I lived there for 19 years. I think i wold have a pretty good view on that.
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Dai Tran :
26 Apr 2010 3:00:06am
John the treatment you recieved from Hong Kongers stems back to how they were treated under Britsh rule. Some what as second class citizens in their own country, many not having any social interactions with their former rulers even though they were the minority. It's because of this they are very suspicous towards foreigners to this day. I come from Vietnamese Australian and the same can be said about Vietnamese reception in the North towards Westerners. PS its funny that you stated the word ghost in your message because that is the tem they use for Westerners White Ghost. Hope that helped :)
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I'm being sarcastic :
11 Aug 2010 2:53:55am
"Australia is undeniably racist but not very racist. I reckon Hong Kong and Chinese people are way more racist than white Australian." I laughed when I read this. Using rasicim to prove your not racist is so funny. Thanks John you made my day
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Karl :
13 Mar 2010 3:39:53pm
Firstly I think that this was an excellent article. I found it by searching for "Australian Racism" as I was disturbed recently about some opinions that I had heard from non Australians about Australians and I was interested in digging deeper into this matter. It is all quite true and I honestly feel for anyone who has experienced racism in my home country. I have noticed that it has gotten worse in the last 10 (Howard) years and I had hoped that there would be some change with the new Govt but no sign of that yet. Australians, me included, seem to really get our back up when accused of racism but it is a fact that it is out there. While it may not be the norm it certainly is the norm to accept it and not shout it down when it becomes evident. Racism exists in every country that I have ever lived in (my mate was glassed in London for being Aussie, I have been yelled at to speak English in Quebec, I have been abused in a German club for not being a local and I can't talk to the woman I nearly always sit next to on the bus on the way to work as she thinks that my foreign blood distorts her local culture) but this is no excuse to accept it in Australia. It only takes a couple of bad experiences to skew your opinion of a place/person/culture/country and it is our job to not let it affect us (I still smile at the woman in the knowledge that not all locals think the same). If we work on these things together change is all very possible, Australians need to recognize that racism exists, if not within our self then at least within our culture and immigrants need to try not to force it down our throats; we learn slowly, we are only the descendants of criminals after all ;-)
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Michael :
10 Apr 2010 8:47:58am
"10 (howard) years" hmmm over the past two years with Kevin Rudd, hows the relations with india going? (not well, obviously) All the attacks have seemed to heighten over the past 2 years.
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Alex :
03 Jan 2011 3:25:51am
I would like to criticise ur comment for one thing: just by stealing a pair of boots, nobody should be accused of being a "criminal". Otherwise, all people on the earth are "criminals". :) be more kind, mate.
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Jordan :
09 Mar 2010 5:37:45pm
Well, this article has a lot to say about white people, yet Australia is a multi-cultural society, so whoever wrote it, can take a walk and needs to leave their comfort shell... I mean zone.
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TheG :
12 Jul 2010 7:57:38pm
Dude, take a look around. It may be multicultural but the 'other' cultures aren't excepted. Or even recognized in most instances. With all Asian countries being grouped together and other such incidents.
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Glen :
11 Aug 2010 2:56:35am
Children growing up in Australia are exposed to contradictory images of 'race' relations. On the one hand, they are taught to celebrate the fact that Australia is a multicultural society that values the principles of cultural tolerance and intercultural harmony. On the other hand, they are exposed to images of Aboriginal Australians and other minority groups that portray those groups as objects of paternalistic concern or as aliens whose presence threatens the cultural identity and economic well being of the majority community. Quote from http://www.racismnoway.com.au/li ... ing/index-What.html
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jubjub :
08 Mar 2010 2:58:07pm
no matter where u go in this world there are always going to be racist people in the world,
Im black myself and have experianced it.....but no matter where u go. people will judge..its human nature
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dancing :
07 Mar 2010 1:59:56pm
you are sooooooooooooooo right!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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Just discussing :
03 Mar 2010 8:36:32pm
Please all -- Go through this article
http://dspace.anu.edu.au/bitstream/1885/41761/3/dunn_paper.pdf
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Thong Huynh :
03 Mar 2010 4:27:28pm
Correct, absolutely hit the nail in the head about current mainstream Anglo Australasians and Australasians "born" subjects. Union played the "Race" card against then M.Fraser then Johnny H. stuffed "Hewson" then copied his ideas, summed up here a bit "moron" here, but agreed these "Not in My Back Yards" NIMBY called Malcolm Fraser a traitor of the Party and Country because I truly believed Mr. Fraser decision to bring "boat people" here in 1979 then saved lives, God Bless Australia then ??
Cheers,
A Boat "Refo" Migrant/People of S'vale, in the state of VICTORIA
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truth be told :
15 Feb 2010 1:32:35pm
Ther will be a feature tonight on one of them daily after news "jerry springer class" type of shows...either, today tonight or current affair on Reverse racism in Australia...that some businesses wont employ white Australians ???... i am really looking forward to reading what anyone thinks of it all
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bob :
12 Feb 2010 8:48:10pm
what is australian/aussie anyway? every people who live/stay in australia are immigrants, except for aboriginal.
immigrants comes in different way, as imperialism, criminal convitcs, gold rush hunter, refugee, international student, boat people, or people smugler.
they all came and stay in order to get some benefit of the land or at least hoping to get some for a better life than before.
so if there is racism or feeling of racism arise, every body should ask why, because they are in the same league of taking benefit from aboriginal land, by hard way or easy way, with good way or dirty way.
it's a shame that some people feel that they have right to declare they are australian/aussie, based on genocide act / extinction of aboriginal people in the past.
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mohammad :
22 Feb 2010 12:24:52am
that was so fantastic and true things you said, ever. thanks for that
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seajae :
08 Mar 2010 11:09:28pm
bob aborigines are just immigrants as well, they were not born here but travelled here 40,000 years ago so that just makes them early immigrants as they came here for a better life and new country as well. Seems people forget that they are not native to this country, none of us are, we are all just immigrants from different eras.
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john :
15 Mar 2010 10:53:17pm
Then seajae, nobody but the Africans are the original inhabitants of their land since humans migrated from africa and everyone are african migrants??!!?? I think the aborigines are the original people because they have been here 40 000 years ago and are the first ones to do so
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Amy :
05 May 2010 5:33:25pm
i absolutely agree! either no one can say they are australian or everyone on australia should be able to call themselves aussies. do you have to be white with brown/blond hair to be able to call urself aussie? im chinese but am an australian citizen and i have a friend from poland without an australian citizen (who is obviously white and has brown hair) but some how people find it easier to accept her a s aussie than me..most lieky because of my appearance.
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IndianDownUnder :
11 Feb 2010 7:58:23pm
I am in a strange position, I am married to a "white" woman, and am in a somewhat unique though not envious position vis-a-vis racial slurs/barbs
My wife tells me of the sudden deafening silence when she tells her friends she is married to an Indian. It often leads to questions as to how we met and whether she felt any great difficulty adjusting to me. She tries her best to convey our life together and that we have never really had any cultural clashes. My wife pushes the envelope a bit further and tells them that we intend to go back to India to settled down. Jaws fall and nearly touch the floor and people ask her with "pity" - WHY?
On the other hand I have been asked to my face whether I was married to a "White Australian" by a lady I hardly knew. My answer was pretty simple "I did not know that Australians came in different colors".
To be fair, this curiousity is not limited to the Anglo/Celtic/Saxon race, when we walk down the road, the people who stare the most at us are Indians.
I love my wife dearly and we hardly notice our respective skin colors.
Racism to me is just a lack of understanding and when you deal with it with a sense of humor, it gets the point through and hopefully a little bit of humanity.
With regard to the thugs who are bashing up Indians or non Indians, there can and should be no tolerance.
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Sumi A. :
08 Aug 2010 2:51:42am
IndianDownunder:Your second paragraph is the funniest thing I have read in a long time! Good one! You're very descriptive.
Clearly you know how to handle this with humour.
I totally get your point though. Been there.
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Megan :
06 Feb 2010 5:59:16pm
Spot on. The legacy of the Howard years. Rudd needs to do this as part of his promised Education Revolution and introduce PJK's Redfern Speech as required reading. And thanks to everyone for sharing their stories of what it's really like to live in racist Australia. There's honesty here - unlike in Brumby's and other's responses to the shameful racist violence that occurs.
You can re-member PJK's Redfern Speech here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hhqAFLud228
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Student :
24 Jan 2010 11:02:00pm
Bruce Haigh stated that "His government needs to implement a schools and university program promoting human rights and combating racism". Being a student, I can say at a university level we are taught quite a substantial amount about Australia's racist past and racist present. However this knowledge and its resources are not ubiquitous throughout all units, they are perhaps endemic to Arts units. I think it should be implemented at a general level and definitely at high school.
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zaky :
03 Feb 2010 8:04:27am
I met and talked to about 2000 Australian while working as a Taxi driver for 2 years in Australia, let me say there is few pure racists around and they are sometimes violent, but the main stream are nice polite people but still not accepting "Others",here is some comments I heard about "Others" knowing that i have white skin but not Anglo Saxon:
"they come to take our jobs"
"they don't deserve to be here"
"they are violent people"
"they are dodgy people"
"Australia is better without them"
I noticed that all these thoughts are frequently mentioned in an indirect at the Australian media like focusing on other races crimes.
Actually ,these comments explained to me why i couldn't find a suitable job for 2 years in Australia as an engineer working in IT field.
I got disappointed and went back to my original country, now happily working as an IT Project Manager!!
I did love Austrlia and still do, but I couldn't live where I felt I am not wanted.
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Lolita :
13 Dec 2010 6:01:25pm
People say things like immigrants take our jobs, but they usually are doing jobs, that they themselves wouldn't do. Or don't go to the effort of getting the training to do those jobs.
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BT :
24 Jan 2010 1:40:28pm
Australia has one of the most racist societies in the developed world. It's weird because of our closest developed neighbors, the Kiwis, have a much more tolerant society. How did we become like this?
My personal experience has been one where when I am with white people, they assume I have "assimilated" because of my Aussie accent and mannerisms and don't hold back. The racist things that are said about Asians, Aborigines, Indians, Lebanese etc would pretty much shock any Brit or American. I have even heard people, that other Aussies would consider stand up examples of the Aussie character, say that refugees, including woman and children should be SHOT. I really can't understand where this idiotic thinking comes from in an educated country.
Sometimes I get angry and tell them off, but I've come to expect it now,most of them know not to speak racist rubbish around me but I really can't see the point anymore. I for one aren't going to change my culture i.e. "assimilate into the white culture" for the sake of a bunch of racist idiots.
And yes Howard must be held accountable. I remember under Hawke there was a fair dinkum go at changing the racist attitudes of the 70s white Australia policy. Under Howard there was a full reversal of these policies and an attempt to subversively go back to the white Australia policy.
And no we can't say white Australians are all racist, because they aren't, there are some very tolerant buggers out there, but Australian society sure is.
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Observer :
21 Jan 2010 9:51:56pm
Not much can be expected from a country whose 'natives' are descendants of British convicts.
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uttam :
26 Jan 2010 6:29:15pm
you are absolutely right we cant expect much , over the face these people seem so polite and as you turn your back they try to stab you from behind ,
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A Guy :
23 May 2010 12:04:20pm
If your American ten look in your history books you tried to kill all of your natives, if you british our convicts were yours to begin with and if you are any one else why do you care
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Ashur Banibal :
18 Jan 2010 11:08:58am
Racist remarks are painful; not having a fair go or equal opportunity because of racism is more painful. However, the worst nightmare of a non-white immigrant is when racism gets to the country’s Judicial System. As brave as the author of the article is he didn’t have the guts to touch this issue in Australia. A couple of years ago an Ausie man broke into a house; he maimed the husband, raped the wife and the 16 year old daughter. What did he get for that? A weekend detention for a year!! Around the same time a group of boys not only gang raped a girl but they used their mobile phones to record the incident and send it around. This was barely mentioned in the media. In Queensland a few years ago, 3 boys (8, 10 and 12) gang raped a 6 year old girl. This was only briefly mentioned on the ABC news radio a couple of times, no other media referred to the incident. But when a group of Lebanese boys gang raped an Ausie girl, they and their families were terribly humiliated. They were on every news bulletin in all Australian media for several months and the Australian media still remind us about that incident every now and then although it’s been several years since. These boys also got jail sentences of up to 57 years, an unprecedented punishment for this kind of crime in Australian judicial history. Not that I am opposing the sentence, but the same standards should be applied to all Australian citizens regardless of their colour of the skin. Being a non-white immigrant, the thought of being involved in the Australian justice system scares me to death
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Kate :
08 Oct 2010 11:48:20pm
So true.I was raped by a school friend of mine - very white blonde/blue eyed school friend of mine I was aged 17, he used rohypnol and was never charged.
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santho :
17 Jan 2010 9:07:59pm
Racism is happening not only on the streets of Melbourne but on every work place. A recent study conducted by ANU suggests that there is only 64% lesser chance for an Asian origin person to find a job in the chosen field in Australia. This study itself is a classic example of racism in Australia.
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Confused :
02 Feb 2010 2:32:11am
I'm sorry... but would you be able to indicate which study this was made in... because in my current experience I am finding that there are seemingly an increasing number of asian people (and other internationals) in the work force.
I do not support the racist actions of many within my culture, but I also understand the large number of attacks AGAINST white Australians... so where does the violence and retaliation end?
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Fairgo :
28 Apr 2010 3:41:12pm
I think it may depend on an occupation but my personal experience tell me that white Australians are treated much more fairly in my profession. I have been a pharmacist in this country over 10 years and I see so many asian pharmacist struggling to find a position. And yet, when a white aussie graduates from less favourable country colleges, they seem to find jobs immediately after graduaation. I had a university class mate who is white and graduated from 3 year degree in 6 years, now one of the top managers in a well known Sydney city chain pharmacies....so as long as your are white, you get all the privileges.
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Edward :
17 Jan 2010 8:57:34pm
my rights to Australian citizenship came in 1967 as 2 year old.
Australia you are racist, your government, policies and multi media are guilty as charged. write it ten times on the blackboard and accept change is needed.
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Tom :
16 Jan 2010 4:21:03pm
I do not like to generalize but I had a terrible experience I would like to share. I am of a South East Asian descent.
One night, me and a couple of friends, of different races, were out exploring Sydney. We were on a summer vacation. Somehow, we got lost and asked an "aussie" for directions. As I asked him the directions on how to get to a local restaurant he opened a water bottle and sprayed it to my friend's face and said "if ya can't find it go back to your home." Unfortunately, he was with a group of people because we heard laughter surrounding us.
I felt so angry and I got to my hotel and packed.
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.... :
08 Mar 2010 6:19:44pm
Australia is definitely a RACIST country... As a student from South East Asia, racism is almost experienced on a day to day basis. Words like "Oh man, Australia is fu*king invaded by you Asians" were commonly being thrown not only at me, but other ordinary Asians as well. In my point of view, Australia is only good for education, after that, off I go back to my own country. I just counld'nt believe how they call themselves a "First World Country", when racism issues are worst than a third world. This country is suppose to be a democratic country, and yet people from different origins are being discriminated every day. Do they know that their fore fathers are immigrants (convicts) from MotherLand as well?
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Shane 2 :
08 Mar 2010 8:21:47pm
Australia is a racist country. Having said that, my best friend is a Malaysian Indian and prefers to live in Australia because he thinks Australia is less racist towards people of sub-continental origin than Malaysia. I know Straits Chinese who migrated to Oz for the same reason. I grew up in Malaysia and found it to be a race obsessed country with policies favouring Bumiputra over people of immigrant groups such as Indians.
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eureka :
30 Mar 2011 12:49:16pm
I heard some one talking to other person on new year's eve, when the train was so packed with people, "Where ever they came from, they seriously need to go back. Look at the crowd." The crowd were mixture of all cultures including whites of course. How stupid comment on new years eve.
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blork :
14 Jan 2010 7:47:21pm
good article.
I have experienced both sides of the coin. I have really nice white friends, and when im with them and hanging out with them, i feel really accepted and comfortable.
But its when im with other friends (indian, asian, etc) or by mself do i sense some underlying racism.
I guess the thing is, is that when the mainstream sees you with mainstream fellows (example: white people), they think that youve assimilated and at least, part aussie and have integrated aussie culture into your lifestyle.
However when you are not seen that way, at least, not interacting with the mainstream, do problems arise.
I guess thats why ethnic groups that clump together never seem included, or integrated into the banner of one united people.
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yzhangh :
15 Jan 2010 8:10:36am
To your comments, Australia has not yet made people easily feel as a part of it in contrast to America. Even if people wants to be one true part of it. (let us don't use JFK's infamous say "don't ask what country can do for you, ask what you can do for the country" here).
I am an Australian citizen. About 10 years ago, when I set foot in US, the moment I landed, I felt as if I were one of "them". I were treated as one of "them" during my years in US. I did feel that opportunity was not unfair because of my skin color or culture I brought with me. US has higher tolerance towards race and culture as a society which Australia lacks. You need not have to be one of American until/unless Americans need to act as one. And Americans do. It accepts who you truly are. I call it a true diversified society. Instead, in Australia, "you have to be us" otherwise you are not us. You are in trouble.
Skin color is one of the race thing. When I came into Australia, I had to put down my skin color "yellow" in an application for driver's license. There was no other choice. I looked my skin, it was definitely not yellow. In America, "complexion, Asian" on the application of driver's license. Some Asians have really white skin color except facial features and body builds not like European.
English language is another race thing. I was subjected to the English language school by the employer. "For your own good", it said. I did start to seriously questioning my own English skills. Of course, again, I got high distinction in the recommended English program. Scientifically, if you pass puberty point (around 13-y-old), you can't not be as good as the native speaker. I was at US top institute for many years, neither my superiors, colleagues nor my friends complained or felt discomfort because of my English.
I have often asked by people how I think on racism in Australia wherever I go to international conferences. Because many people have relatives or friends who live in Australia. People who often think Australia is a racist country are those from non-white race.
Back in Australia, most of my Australian colleagues consider US is the most racist country. One of my colleague who is a legal profession said that Australia has no racism towards Asians. He thought everyone liked to go to Asian restaurants. Therefore, in his opinion there was no racism against that Asian race. I would say the measure should be the equal opportunity. This is a measure that sets Australia apart from America. I don't blindfolded that Australia has made no progress. However, it may be slower than expectation. Of course, Australia has many many outstanding features that US lacks. However, I want to say "don't allow this issue to let us down". I should point out that just because somebody is White therefore he is racist is absolutely nonsense. Australia is no longer a
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Fairgo :
28 Apr 2010 3:58:11pm
Thanks for pointing that out and you have said everything I wanted to say. I have lived in US, Asia, UK and Australia and yes, I definately agree that Australia is still quite backwards in terms of racial tolerance and equal opportunity. So many people think US is one of the racist country but it is not true. Look at the media e.g. I have never seen so many asians on TV and totally accepted as AMERICAN. Australia has a long way to go and until they realise their existance depends on asian neighbours they wil continue being racist.
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Kate :
08 Oct 2010 9:13:01pm
yes I agree 100% I have an anglo-saxon father and an ethnic mother both from south africa - they have both been in oz for forty years [most of their lives] so they are very aussie.I don't actually know anything about my heritage thats how aussie they are.
If I am with my father i'm treated very well,smiles etc,if i'm with my mother total opposite downright sneers,rudeness - it is always that way.
I know its all based on "appearence" nothing more - as my mother is the sweetest most aussie woman inside - all her friends are anglos and she is very friendly to everyone,never heard a complaint or racist word come out of her mouth.When someone pushed her trolley and told her to go back to where she came from she just took it with no complaints.She is amazing.
When people get to know her they love her,she has contributed so much to this country constantly working day and night shifts you name it.
I just feel so sad that she has to suffer so much racism and that my father does'nt - all simply because of his pigment.When they are exactly the same culturally.
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Aussie of the world. :
13 Jan 2010 1:39:51pm
HAHAHA.
I actually put some effort in, had some well constructed ideas and was putting my true feelings down til I read a few more of people post and realised that some of them are just pathetic. So this is my new post
Australia is, I believe, not racist as a whole but many are highly intolerant. It is sad to admit, and does hurt to say about the country I love.
I am travelling and being in hospitality work with every class, race and type of person which makes me extremely tolerant even when I disagree with people culture. Ideas like women covering their bodies for religious purpose will be hard for Aussies to understand being as liberal as we are.
We laugh at ourselves a lot and are often mean to each other, Aussies are tough that way, quite often we joke with people who don't understand our culture and it is taken the wrong way.
I do like how the world jumps on the "Indian bashings" but fails to talk about the fight in Melbourne a few months before when a group of Lebanese boys had a 30 person fight at a club and 1 death. Seems only fun when white people at the culprits. White people die from violent crimes more then Indians in Australia. My friends cousin was bashed 4 months ago and he is pretty white.
Yes we are in tolerant, no I am not proud of that, No we haven't closed our borders like America and England, no we do not burn peoples houses down like South Africa does to people they don't like, no we are not China we don't actively try to breach human rights and keep out foreign media, no we do not have a cast system that determines peoples options and their acceptance in society. Haha yes we like beating the poms and Kiwis in sport, who doesn't?? I am not racist, my friends are not racist. (Bloody poms).
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Nos :
13 Jan 2010 10:42:29am
Interesting that this thread still lingers on. Let me say that I was born in Aus as were my parents - I have dark olive skin colour. I speak the queens english better than most and am well educated -
From my 60 year old observation is that whenever we have a conservative govt in power either at Federal or State jurisdictions, I notice an upsurge in racial taunts in our communities evidenced by the slur also imposed upon us from right wing, conservative media who also promote the style of govt.
I can recall how less racist Aus seemed under the Whitlam years while witness the return of 'white only Australia' under the Howard regime.
Lets hope that the likes of the ultra ultra church loving Abbott and his clones never reach that pinnacle of power.
Write Wing Conservatism = white Australia.
It will take many more generations of black, yellow & olive skinned Aussies to ultimately change this culture. There are many more of us now. Hang in there all, look how it evolved in the US.
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Jeremy :
09 Jan 2010 9:25:52pm
I've read quite a few comments posted here by people. Sad but not surprising, most people seem to generalize Australia as being a racist country, from either personal experiences or as simple as being a witness. Now for my two cents :D
Australian born & raised, half asian / half white, and both of my parents were born in Australia too, it's safe to say I'm Australian, however it's not safe to say I'm an Aussie( only some will understand the difference & you know who you are ;) ). I have experienced racism from small racial taunts to death threats by skinheads at school so I'd say I've covered all ends of the sprectrum when it comes to experiencing racism.
IMO the majority of white Australia are not racist, but there's a great handful within who are.
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Calvin :
15 Apr 2010 5:55:07pm
Hi,
I read your post and found it very interesting and informative.
If I may, I would like to ask you a question.
I am a Canadian Citizen living in Canada for the last 30 years but my nationality is Filipino. My Filipino wife and I have 3 children ages from 2 to 7. I have been offered a job in Sydney, Australia as a professional accountant and so by the end of this year, my family and I will be moving there.
When my children go to elementary school in Sydney, do you think they will encounter some/many discrimination because of the color of their skin? Will they receive less attention from the teachers compared to the White-Australian children?
I am also a very good tennis player (semi-pro) and would like to join a good tennis club in Sydney. Do you think I will have some problem joining a good club and if I did get in as a member, will I have any problems finding tennis players to play with?
Will my wife have any problems finding a job as a caregiver because of her nationality?
Here in Vancouver, B.C. Canada, racism almost don't exist, at least I don't personally experience it. People here are accepted not by the color of their skin but by their personality, attitude and behavior. Professional jobs such as doctors, lawyers, engineers, accountants and as such are all equally filled either by Caucasians or Non-Caucasians.
I am contemplating very hard whether to accept the job offer in Sydney. I've heard so many good things about Australia and how beautiful it is, but I don't want to raise my children in a society where they will be discriminated and feel unequal because of the color of their skin.
I would appreciate very much your honest answer.
I thank ahead for your time.
Cheers
Calvin
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Fairgo :
28 Apr 2010 4:05:26pm
Well, my advise....DON'T move out here, you will be disappointed. My relatives are contemplating leaving Australia and move to Canada and I lived in Australia for 30 years. So trust me, Canada is far more tolerant society than Australia.
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annonymous :
06 Oct 2010 1:41:38am
Hi I am writting to you as a Canadian citizen who has lived in Australia for 1 year and has been travelling the globe for many years living and working all over the world. I am married to an Australian of Greek decent and please urge you to think twice about coming here. I found out of all the countries I have lived and worked in Australia is the most racially intollerant and ignorant country on the face of the earth. We can't wait to get back to Canada where we live in racial harmony and love everyone from all cultures. Discrimiation here toward Asians is very common and I highly suggest you stay in Canada where mutlicuturalism and the chartered rights to freedom are in our constitution. I please urge you to not bring your kids to this country. My husband was even born here and he gets called a wog and picked on just because he is not of anglo ( white British ) decent. We are heading back to Canada soon and can't wait to get there where bigotry and ignorance is not an everyday experience. My husband could not believe the difference in Canada's racial tollerance as compared to Australia. Please stay in Canada. :)
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Shan :
09 Jan 2010 7:46:34pm
This has obviously boiled down to an India vs Australia post in terms of who is holier than thou. Both countries have racist pasts that still continue to this day, although to a lesser extent:
Australia: White Australia Policy
India: The Caste System
What is the best way to move forward and get away from our own racist histories? How can we get along? Surely those are the questions we should be asking, or am I being too optimistic here?
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Arvind :
19 Jan 2010 1:15:38am
Shan,
There are important differences between the two. All countries have their own versions of the caste system : the White versus the Blacks in US, the Class stratifications in UK, the West versus East Germans in germany, the Aborgines versus the White settlers in Australia. But we're missing the point. No foreign students are getting bashed up in India !! With our without the Caste system. But they are in Australia. Something is very wrong with this country.!!
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Canadian :
20 Jan 2010 3:35:52pm
Wow what a joke! No students getting bashed in India. Just ask the African students in India, how they are being treated - rather taunted day in day out. It's hard to believe how anybody can defend the caste system. It's the worst form of racism. How about all the Sikhs that were slaughtered in 1984 - was that sort of like racism? Don't think the Indian government got involved with that one.
At least the Austrailan posts are admitting that there needs to be some improvements and feel bad about what is perceived to be racism. Not too many Indians are mentioning that there are problems in there own perceptions about people who may be darker, poorer and so-called lower castes. Maybe we don't know what it feels like until we are on the receiving end.
Resoultion: get to know people - expand your social circle, give people the benefit of the doubt and don't always think the worst about them.
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Indian :
01 Feb 2010 1:16:11am
Canadian, get your facts right before you rattle off about someone else's country. Sikhs weren't slaughtered in India, the army killed Sikh extremists that were slaughtering Hindus day in and day out.
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Canadian :
02 May 2010 9:34:06am
Hey there, check YOUR facts bud. Who died in the riots in 1984? I believe it was Hindus killing Sikhs, right.
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Shan :
24 Oct 2010 2:54:10am
@Canadian: Nope, you are horribly wrong! It's Indian Congress party orchestrated genocide against Sikhs in Delhi because two Sikhs killed Indira Feroze Gandhi, former PM and the mother of Rajiv 'Feroze' Gandhi. Rajiv.F.Gandhi and his gang of thugs orchestrated the genocide. A lot of Hindus protected these Sikhs by hiding them in their houses. Infact, Hindus are a grateful lot for Sikhs who had protected them from marauding Muslim invaders. Infact, Sikhism is a sect that originated out of Hinduism 600yrs ago as an answer to Islamic barbarians.
It's a very sensitive issue, and you have absolutely no clue about it.
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peace_equality :
09 Jan 2010 3:00:38pm
I am from India and have been living in Australia for many years now. We can't generalize Australia as Racist as I have met few amazing people on earth here in this country but certainly there are few bad elements in the society. No society is perfect anyway...
Anyway I will share my one of my bad experiences with you, I was working on a contract in a company and my I was the only non-white working in that office. The boss of the company used to introduce the visitors (whenever they came) to everybody in the office except me. Once they had a get together and everybody in the office left in the afternoon for the hotel and I was told to come at 6pm and join them. I never liked to work with those ignorant bunch of people.
But I always try to look at the bright side of life... It is so true what Gandhi once said - "We have to be the change we want to see in this world."
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tired and annoyed :
09 Jan 2010 12:44:16pm
i am quite happy for immigrants to come and live here in australia, provided they learn our language and not expect us to change the way we do things here.
now before people start calling me a racist, i shall remind you of xmas past. my town decided not to put on a xmas pagent, like they have done for many years "because some religious groups complained that it was offensive". no santa at school cause "he was offensive" no easter bunny for the same reasons.
australia has grown up with these icons, and with many traditions which are sadly being put to rest because they are deemed " offensive" my minority groups. this is also spilling out into schools. i was informed by a parent that a child was beaten in an australian school, because they had ham in thier sandwich for lunch (apprently it was a special day for a religion, in which the child was not a part of)
so really, do you blame australians for reacting the way they do?
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foooord :
14 Jan 2010 8:12:19pm
really?
You sound so much like a xenophobist and a racist.
Firstly, you dont seem to accept the changes in society, that people are now celebrating and respecting other religions (at least a few). Time you got up from your seat and started to respect, not to be intolerant, and see that the changing face of society must mean the change to prdominantly white anglo christian values, in place of more tolerant values and beliefs.
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c.s :
27 Jan 2010 4:18:01am
At the end of the day there is no place for religion in school. School is a place to learn and should cater for all. I have to admit i find dismay there are schools out there that only take a certain type of student being catholic or muslim and i also find it even more difficult to understand how it is ok to only take a student from a certain country or ethnic back ground. And the change you talk about when you say white anglo christians has to come from all people. that includes people who immigrate here and the ones that live here at the moment.
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just me :
08 Feb 2010 3:17:15pm
@tired and annoyed
Yes, I remember that incident about the sandwich, and also many others that you spoke about. Its good to hear someone talk some sense.
fooooord speaks such intelligence in calling you a racist even though you (like I) are happy for people of different backgrounds to make Australia home. foooord also says to "elebrating and respecting other religions"...after you explain of being condemned for our religion!
At the end of the day, I dont understand why cultures expect Celtic economies to dissolve into a mixing pot of races when other cultures will not allow it.
And yes, I am a racist with a Korean girlfriend and many Indian/Muslim/Sri Lankin friends colleagues.
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I am :
23 Feb 2010 3:03:34pm
just me: How is the Easter Bunny and Santa Clause your religion? There is no rabbit or fat man in a red suit in the Bible! Have you even read it?
Unless it is a specifically religious school I don't think ANY religion has a place in schools. Not Catholic, Muslim, Buddhist or Jewish. Religion is just another way to divide people and it shouldn't be FORCED onto our children. I will not raise my children to conform to my views, but to live in a way that is respectful to all living things, human and non-human.
Yes Australia is racist. The question shouldn't be whose fault is it?, but how do we fix it to make it a SAFE and HAPPY place for EVERYONE?!! Black, yellow and even white.
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James :
11 Mar 2010 9:10:38am
thats the point... there are not gradual increments of integration of cultures into Australian society because immigrants just want their old ways implemented here immediately... with the added benefits of our welfare, medical care and education system , and if they don't get their way, straight away, then it must be "racist". Listen to yourself, that kid was beaten because he ate ham!!
If you don't like ham, don't eat it, if you don't like christianity don't practice it... it's your right to do so in this country.... you don't beat other people to make them adopt your customs.
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Anna :
08 Mar 2010 12:26:52pm
According to the Oxford English Dictionary, racism is a belief, or ideology, that <em>members of each racial group possess characteristics or abilities specific to that race.</em>
If we deduct word <b>abilities</b>, as we know now, abilities varies widely within any ethnic group, the rest of the sentence would not be denied by any educated person.
All human history is a history of <em>resistance to foreign invasion</em>, as local people could not accept ruling of different ethnic culture on <b>their</b> land. This is a natural human reaction. People prefer to live in the familiar surroundings. What is happening now in Europe and Australia is exactly this - resistance to the <em>gradual demographic invasion </em> from Asia, Africa and Middle East. And if this called <i>racism</i>, maybe <b>racism is not such a bad word</b> at all?
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Bryn :
08 Jan 2010 9:52:58pm
I'm a Brit that has lived in Quebec, the US and now Australia. I've experienced prejudice in every country that I have been. I truly think that most of it boils down to us & them. When race is not used, something else is - Football teams & the North South divide in the UK for example.
It's part of human nature and we will only be truly united when the aliens invade.
BUT, Australia is truly racist... and they don't see it. Being a white Anglophone I am frequently put in the position of being privy to the 'polite racism'. On one occasion I had to listen to a Team Leader at Telstra laughing about refugees getting 'blown out of the water'. I brought it up at my next one-on-one. The response, "oh". That's it. And the constant bloody babble about how hard white Australians have had it and the 'abos' don't have anything to complain about...
This prejudice is so woven in to their psyche, I truly believe they do not even know it is there.
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Joe De Lede :
09 Jan 2010 2:16:33pm
You speak the bleak & bitter truth. Racist-Bigotry is to Australia, what Roman-Catholicism is to The Vatican...always amuses me when aussie-apologists sally forth with ever-increasingly convoluted ratiocinations to deny the fact.
I would suggest that anyone who has doubts about this should 'black-up' & spend a day in any one of the shit-hole towns between, say, Geraldton & Broome in Western Australia...it would be a life-changing experience for you.
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just me :
08 Feb 2010 3:21:52pm
It is clear many people on here do not understand 'comical banter' which is to an Aussie what "Roman-Catholicism is to The Vatican".
PC is evil and erodes society. Someone may say something about refugees getting 'blown out of the water' but they may also go and call their good mate a 'poofter'.
A wise man once said 'I'm not racist, I hate everybody'.
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James :
11 Mar 2010 9:20:14am
I think that wise man was me!!
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Fairgo :
28 Apr 2010 4:27:51pm
Bryn, thank you for your honest opinion. Like yourself, I have lived in Asia, US, UK and Australia so I have experienced different attitude in different parts of the world. But, boy, Aussies are racist:in intellectual world, they are quite suttle and in the street, they are at your face. I heard commends like "I can tolerate individuals like you who speak fluent English and educated but those who do not speak English and cling to their own race...", "white people are getting reverse racism","we are very TOLERANT society" to "gee, we are the minority, here"
These aussies really are ignorant while rest of the world has changed so much. But they have no excuse, as Aussies are renounded for travelling around the world. BTW, I meet so many aussies while living in US and I am sure they are aware...they just do not want to apply it to their isolated island.
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jojo :
08 Jan 2010 11:46:51am
Look I am an Aussie citizen and a permanent resident holder in the U.S and after careful analysis of both country, I conclude most (white) Australians to be "politely" racists.
Look I have friends who have been in Australia for their entire lives 20-30 yrs or so, and still don't consider themselves Australians (theyre still called Asians, Lebanese) what is with that? they are Australian citizens for like what? 18 years? and still can't be considered Australians?
Over here in the U.S from the moment you land in the airport, you are made to feel like a human being, that everyone is part of a global society made up of different races. I am not even American citizen and I am made to feel like one. I have only been here in the states for 3 months and I feel at home.
My family have friends who have been in Australia for 40 years and been citizens for 30 years, they were there during the peak of the White Australia Policy. Now the White Australia Policy is abolished, they still think they are Asians. What the hell is that?
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yzhangh :
14 Jan 2010 4:25:10pm
To your comments, Australia has not yet made people easily feel as a part of it in contrast to America. Even if people wants to be one true part of it. (let us don't use JFK's infamous say "don't ask what country can do for you, ask what you can do for the country" here).
I am an Australian citizen. About 10 years ago, when I set foot in US, the moment I landed, I felt as if I were one of "them". I were treated as one of "them" during my years in US. I did feel that opportunity was not unfair because of my skin color or culture I brought with me. US has higher tolerance towards race and culture which Australia lacks as a society. You need not have to be one of American until/unless Americans need to act as one. It accepts who you truly are. I call it a true diversified society. Instead, Australia, "you have to be us" otherwise you are not us.
Skin color is one of the race thing. When I came into Australia, I had to put down my skin color "yellow" in an application for driver's license. There was no other choice. I looked my skin, it was definitely not yellow. In America, "complexion, Asian" on the application of driver's license. Some Asians have really white skin color except facial features and body builds.
English language is another race thing. I was subjected to the English language school by the employer. "For your own good", it said. I did start to seriously questioning my own English skills. Of course, again, I got high distinction in the recommended English program. Scientifically, if you pass puberty (around 13-y-old), you can't not be as good as the native speaker. I was at US top institute for years, neither my superiors, colleagues nor my friends complained or felt discomfort for my English.
I have often asked by people how I think on racism in Australia wherever I go to international conferences. Because many people have relatives or friends who live in Australia. People who often think Australia is a racist country are those from non-white race.
Back in Australia, most of my Australian colleagues consider US is a racist country. One of my colleague who is a legal profession said that here was no racism. He thought everyone liked to go to Asian restaurants. Therefore, in his opinion there was no racism against that Asian race.
I would say the measure should be the equal opportunity. This is a measure that sets Australia apart from America.
I don't blindfolded that Australia has made progress. However, it may be slower than expectation. Of course, Australia has many many outstanding features, US lacks. However, I want to say "don't allow this issue to let us down".
I should point out that just because somebody is White therefore he is racist is not absolutely not right. Australia is no longer a pure white country. It blends in many races. each race brings in som
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Geo Ed :
08 Feb 2010 3:22:24am
Australians do not speak English.
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James :
11 Mar 2010 9:24:16am
yes we do... Aborigines speak native tribal languages specific to their regions. "Australia" as a country did not exist until white settlement, and technically until not until 1901.
Traditional Aboriginal peoples were not of the country "Australia" and they did not use that name, and they did not speak English.
So i'm not sure how you come to your conclusion that Australians "do not speak English".
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Brock Coleman :
17 Mar 2010 11:59:28am
Ill tell you why this the case because white Australian think they are the true people of this country.
Thats why they still have a union jack.
Dont you think it kind of strange that they dont consider them selves as British but still fly a union jack.
A typicle white aussie doesnt consider Aboriginals as aussie and Aboriginals dont consider them selves as aussie. Thats why they still fly the union jack so we dont have a flag thats unites people. You fly their flag or you are not aussie.
Same thing goes for any race other than the white aussie or British as i like 2 call them.
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Will Never Be An Aussie :
05 Jan 2010 5:03:25pm
What are we all pretending not to know?! Both my spouse and I are highly qualified, educated internationally in the West, held senior positions with various multinational companies, with extensive transferable skills. We came to Australia with much to contribute, high income and high net worth. But we will never call ourselves Australians. Why would we when we are constantly reminded by Australian society that we don't belong here?! Because we are not White?! And so after 5 years, we will move to somewhere where we are welcomed. Those of us who have choices and determination to make it anywhere will surely leave. You are a backward and racist country true and true! Have the courage to admit it Australia! WHAT ARE YOU PRETENDING NOT TO KNOW!?
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James :
11 Mar 2010 9:27:34am
And that sir is why you will find yourself not accepted for a long time, not just in this country but where ever you go "after 5 years". You talk about acceptance yet you personnaly are the one who said you will "never call ourselves Australians". You need to accept the cultures and graces of society in the country you live.
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Maestro :
24 Oct 2010 3:16:00am
And what culture do you talk about? Do you have a culture at all, apart from the derived union-Jack?
If you call what White-Brit-descendants (and you know who were those and why were they lumped out to here) call theirs' as a culture, you are wrong. And mind you, Asians are your neighbours and there is absolutely nothing wrong them bringing their culture to this land. You should learn to assimilate that too.
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gillian :
04 Jan 2010 11:33:52am
I am an "Australian". I wrote that in italics because the idea of Australian in mainstream Australia means born here to "white" people. Lucky for me, I was. Australian's hate to be told they're racist, and that's why we get so defensive, but the absolute truth is, as a whole, we are. And it's in every level of politics and society. Until Australian's accept that we are, we will not do anything to change it. We will continue to blame everyone else as we have done since the birth of the "Australian".
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James :
11 Mar 2010 9:36:03am
I'm not sorry. I have the god given right to love my country and defend all its values as they stand. It is simple, and not racist, to expect that all who live here, or wherever you choose to live, accept the same values as determined by the laws, practices, customs and social graces of the country you live in. It doesn't matter if you were born here or not. If you hold a citizenship certificate and accept Australia and its customs and contribute to that, you are Australian. Australian does not mean "white people", although apparently it does when referring to racial attacks in the media.
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International House of Racim :
04 Jan 2010 4:39:53am
I am an Indian doctor who had widely tavelled most of the continents. I have heared the word Racism many times , but had never experienced it practically untill I travelled to Australia. First experience in 2000 from the moment I had landed at Brisbane airport while I was proceeding for immigration clearence as a desciplined traveller. The immigration officer looked very starngly at me and allowed me to enter as i had a valid entry permit. Before i could proceed further towards luggage belt to pick my belonging luggage, i was stopped by a team of over ten immigration officers, they took me to a room and asked me over thousands of unrequired questions, i had answered all their questions calmly. Before they let me go i asked them why did you pick me , am i look like a suspecious man or just because i am an indian? Their reply was terrible - f#@k you off! get lost from here and feel lucky that we didn't lock you up permanantly. Yes, indeed i was lucky.
Five years later 2005, i was travelling to PNG, had my booking in a hotel of brisbane for two days,I had a valid entry permit. Again little similer episode not of that severity as last time. i made immigration clearence and entered in Australia, but didn't feel comfortable to stay there and luckly got a flight the same day to say bye bye to the land of International House of Racism, parhaps forever. I had visited UK, Germany, and a few other European countries many times but had never been treated in such a way as in Australia.
In contrast look at Singapore, while returning from PNG, I ignored the land of International House of Racism and preffered a flight to India via Singapore. At Singapore Airport, though I had no entry permit to enter Singapore. I just went to the Immigration and told them that I have my flight next morning to Delhi and I wish to visit Singapore. Beleive me dear readers, with a smile the immigration officer looked at my ownward journey document and issued me a special pass of two days validity to enter to Singapore, not only this one of the immigration officer took me to the desk of free trip to Singapore for transit passanger and told me , this would be better for you as can visit Sigapore free of cost. Indeed, it was a free trip, well organized, funtastic and amazing. I still remember the smiling face of that immigartion officer and I appreciate the coopretive attetude of Singapore airport immigration. No where in this world I enjoyed such a free service and such a cooperative behaviour of Immigration officers.
Australia and Singapore are two different world.
I would love to visit Singapore and other destinations as a traveller with my family. But never to Australia - God save me to any further visit to this INTERNATIONAL HOUSE OF RACISM.
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Charles Stewart Lee :
08 Jan 2010 8:35:23pm
OMG.................That is shocking.
I was born in Singapore but came to Australia 25 yrs ago and can fully empathize with your experience. Experincing something similar to your Brisbane experience, the fact that I'm an Australian citizen made little difference.
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me :
27 Dec 2009 1:20:22am
I never thought Australia was racist. My parents immigrated there in '68 when I was 1 year old so I went to school normally, just the occasional "wog" comment and the couple of thugs around our housing community who loved to pick on my sister and I. But I was a pretty smart student and school and life were fine, especially in high school. Then I went back overseas and came back with my children and husband after 30 years away. What a shock!! Having lost my Australian accent - more of an American one now, I was really surprised at the level of racism in Australia. It hasn't improved - it's gotten 20 times worse. And the number of drunks does not help the situation. What a shame. I would choose the US or Canada or even the UK over Australia any day.
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blackn'white :
10 Dec 2009 10:26:43pm
I would like to meet/talk to others that experience racism in so called 'multicultural acceptance Aust. I have tried to assimilate as much as i can but i can't change the colur of my skin. i was adopted from overseas as a young child into a white family of white parents & 2 white siblings. I sound pretty aussie given I've been school here as a kid. I can't get any more ozy than that. yet still 25yrs on in this country I still get constantlh stared at & teased,ambushed,bullied,threatened: On Australia Day a large group of males wrapped in the aussie flag screaming into a PA sound system locals only,'go home curry muncher,muslim,terrorist,little tamil tiger.gunja-abo,black s***,C***. just makes you wanna end your life coz the taunts/bullying& indiscreet eyeballing gets to you.In any case can't really go home guys as the country of origin is in the middle of being blown up by ongoing civil war & know no family there. am so australianised I was treated as a foreigner with a braod aussie acent when i did go back. I'd like to find a suppoort group.the whole intercountry adoption thing goes from saving someone an exotic novelty to costant ostracism& often being the only one or among a small handful with my skin colour.something u have to live with for the rest of your life-they don't think about the future of this burden when the whities adopt.
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Observer :
16 Dec 2009 3:51:56am
I arrived in Australia as a teen and have lived here for 20 years. I love living in my adopted country. But as a member of an ethnic minority group I can relate to some of your "unpleasant experiences" . You are not alone in getting constantly stared at, teased, ambushed and bullied because of your skin colour. I was occasionally harassed by young white males driving past when I went jogging, all because of my skin colour. It is unfortunate that racial taunts and bullying have become socially acceptable behaviour for some in this country.
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kimbo :
28 Dec 2009 10:24:44am
look, truth be told, you would really need to lie to yourself and turn a blind eye to alot of things if your a "foreigner" in this country and expect to "fit in". my question to you is what the hell where you doing out and about on australia day anyway. australia day is for as the name implies, for australians, not aboriginals, not africans, not asians, not pacific islanders, not middle easterners, and funnily enough not even for europeans. even though they say its a day for the "multicultural community" to unite as one. its a day where the aussie flag is waved around by white people with southern cross tatoo's saying, "if you dont like it go home" wich is usually followed by a cheer from the crowd. i have been in australia for almost 20 years now and i still to this very day experience racism. on a subliminal, discreet and on a first hand face to face level. i cant help but think that this is the reason that i have never felt comfortable and the reason i feel detached from mainstream society today. on the whole adoption thing i think there are plenty of needy white children in the world,especially in australia, why not adopt them? what would be the reaction if a black couple tried to adopt a white child? is that even allowed? to me adoption is neccesary and there are alot of genuinly good people willing to "love" the child as their own. putting a black child for example with a white family will confuse that child when he/she gets older, alienate that person and confuse that person even more.
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tolerance :
08 Dec 2009 9:55:24pm
I am of Indian descent and have grown up in Sydney, Aust for 22 of my 29 years. Over the years, especially growing up in the earlier part of primary school, I felt I was treated differently and had racist remarks come my way. Later on, growing up, I felt that there was still racism but it was not so overt. I think you have really touched on a truth by saying how people can be racist but in a 'polite'way and it comes out when they are with like minded people. As I am sometimes accepted as like minded, given that essentially I was brought up here and have an Aussie accent and mannerisms/behaviour, people would sometimes say racist things to me about other people. Or like you said, would say things like ''I have nothing against them.. but'. I have noticed nowadays that there are more people than ever sporting those 臂stralia -love it or leave it'and similar bumper stickers. I find it unsettling. I feel that different cultures and enrich our society. I hope that people can become more tolerant and accepting of other cultures in this millenia. I love this artilcle, it really resonated with some of my thoughts and also included some interesting information that I did not know of. You can tell that you are passionalte about the subject matter too. Thanks for sharing it with us.
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Happy African :
05 Dec 2009 3:30:41pm
I was in Kenya during the last elections. I had to flee to Uganda, such was the danger. Tribalism (racism) has taken our country to the brink. Talk to any Kenyan who lives there, and they'll tell you that it's just going to get worse. Even my parents, who love Kenya dearly, are thinking of leaving.
Tell me, if Australians are so racist why do you choose to reside here??? Why not go home? If your children are being so discriminated against, what sort of parent are you by forcing them to live here? I have numerous black friends with children of various ages. None of them complain. One Somali friend's son just got accepted into Melbourne High. He's not complaining. I plan to have children here, in the knowledge that my children will have access to a better life and a better education than they could have had in Kenya. I'm grateful for that.
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truth be told :
09 Dec 2009 5:11:34pm
such attitude is what i and i bet this Writer is on about "if Australians are so racist why do you choose to reside here??? Why not go home?"Any Kenyan claiming that they ran away from Kenya especially if from Nairobi to flee the election riots is a liar ..feed those lies to Aussies not to me my "fellow"country man/woman. I was also in Kenya during last elections and apart from disruption to transport(matatu) was untouched.A somali's case is different all together as somali is in total anarchy. Truth be told your Afro-friends might not say athing to you seeing that you may still be in the "rose coloured Glasses " stages of residence in Oz.Anyway no problem with your observations.only when you chose to correct someone elses' opininions
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Happy African :
15 Dec 2009 9:22:27am
Of course, Truth Be Told, you can paint me as a naive, ignorant little village girl, blinded by the big lights of Melbourne.
However, I am not allowed to point out your prejudice, racist attitudes and willful delusion regarding the plight of our homeland.
I have met some Africans like you in Melbourne. You complain constantly, and blame every set back in your life on the racism of white folk. As I pointed out, it is you who is the racist.
You claim that there is no problem in Kenya - so I ask yet again, why do you choose to live in Australia? Why live in a country where you and your family are constantly subjected to the worst kind of racist abuse, when you could go back to your wonderful homeland and prosper? Why??????
Bury your head in the sand mate. Act like hundreds of people weren't hacked to death last elections because of their tribal affiliations. Act like our government and politicians didn't encourage this violence. Act like Kenyans aren't dividing along tribal lines. Act like the future of Kenya is just rosy - but you'd rather observe it from Australia, just in case.
Australia deserves better than people like you.
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jojo :
08 Jan 2010 11:22:37am
im starting to think ur not an immigrant who has experienced racism (maybe ur a white aussie) becoz no immigrant who has experienced racism will say tht.
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Happy african :
26 Feb 2010 9:42:33pm
I have experienced racism. As an international student living in India, I experienced racism constantly. I talked about this in a previous post.
I have experience some racism in Australia, but far, far less than India.
Go figure, jojo.
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Maestro :
24 Oct 2010 3:26:54am
Big big liar you are!! You are not a Kenyan, you are a white union-jackass bigot. You are down-right lying!!!
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BT :
24 Jan 2010 2:04:35pm
@ "Happy African"
Typical white Aussie racist apologist, using the anonymity of the internet to pretend to be a wanna-be immigrant.
It's so clear that you are not an African, an immigrant, let alone someone living in Kenya, looking to move here. How stupid do you think you fellow human beings are to believe this tripe. You sound like every other white Aussie racist in denial I've encountered.
At least man up, and admit to who you are.
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truth be told :
05 Dec 2009 11:29:18am
And one more question ? have you by any chance got children growing here?
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truth be told :
05 Dec 2009 11:27:54am
Rampant tribalism eh ? Makaratasi(papers) talk...So how long did you say you have lived in Melb., where i also happen to reside ? 2 years. Keep smiling ,and i hope you sooner rather than later come to realise what the above writer a "white" Aussie is on about.
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truth be told :
05 Dec 2009 11:24:31am
Rampant tribalism eh? So how long did you say you have lived in Melbourne,where i also happen to reside? 2 years?..Keep smiling and you will soon learn of what the above writer a "white" Aussie is on about. Hope it is sooner rather than later.....
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Happy African :
04 Dec 2009 7:20:55pm
I live in Melbourne. I like it here. It makes a nice change from the rampant tribalism (racism) that one has to deal with in Kenya. I will remind Truth Be Told that Kenya came to the brink of a tribal war just a couple of years ago. Some of my best friends from university don't even talk to me now, because I am not from the same tribe as them. And you're complaining about a bumper sticker!!!!
And no, in this case a few bad apples don't spoil the bunch. Don't let a few idiots cloud you're perception of an entire nation. Too many Africans migrate to Australia with stereotypical views of white people - namely that they are all racist rednecks. Then they sit around, bitching and moaning and blaming all their personal failings on racism. Perhaps, Truth Be Told, you are the racist one?
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BT :
24 Jan 2010 2:29:51pm
It's quite weird you refer to yourself as an African. No Kenyan I know would refer to themselves as that. It's like a Russian calling himself an European instead of a Russian.
You my friend, are a white Aussie pretending to be an African, that much is quite clear.
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truth be told :
15 Feb 2010 1:36:25pm
I did wonder why, and how this fella had such a nerve...thank you for "sassing " them out
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Happy african :
26 Feb 2010 10:50:53pm
Have the nerve? To what? To disagree with you? I'm sorry, your highness. Please accept my humblest apologies. Whatever you say is gospel, Truth Be Told. Kenya is in a wonderful state, and Australia is full of vicious white racists who drive around all day looking for black people like yourselves to cut off in traffic.
Me, I can't tell the colour of the person driving in front of me. But those nasty white racists can. They have special powers, you see.
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truth be told :
04 Dec 2009 2:48:08pm
Getting rid of, the " AUSTRALIA, IF YOU DON'T LIKE IT, LEAVE " attitude, loudly displayed on the car that rudely cuts infront, even shamefully uttered by some Mp's,leaders for heavens sake and which in my opinion is a scapegoat for "polite" racism,is as good a start to containing it (Racism). As ,really,what would be unlikeable(?) about Australia,apart from ,some unfounded discrimination, villification and " nepotism" based on race elements? The Kenyan (maybe universal) saying goes "one rotten potato/apple,........
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truth be told :
04 Dec 2009 1:56:57pm
A well researched, and i'm guessing,heartfelt report. So my apologies for posing this as to you though it is directed at the happy African's comment...I am also a black Kenyan and have lived in Australia for well over seven years and i'd like to know which part of Australia happy African lives in ,so that I may join you.
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James :
11 Mar 2010 9:41:38am
Eight Mile Plains in Brisbane... plenty of happy African families lived right on our street. My daughter used to play with their kids in the park next door on a Saturday.
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Happy African :
30 Nov 2009 6:43:17pm
Don't worry Carlos,
I am a black Kenyan and my experience in Australia (living here for two years) has been very positive. There are lots of black people migrating here now - Australia is far from the white redneck society often depicted in the media. Sure there are racists, just as in any country, but I have found most Aussies to be very open and friendly. It's not really a problem - at least not for me. Remember, this article is just one man's opinion.
My advice would be to go for it.
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Observer :
16 Dec 2009 11:53:12am
The fact that you are enjoying a discrimination free existence in Australia is testimony to the hard work of people who promoted multi-cultural/racial tolerance in this country before your arrival. Left unchecked over time, the racist attitudes of some people in this country may also one day degenerate into the rampant tribalism experienced in Kenya. After all, both Kenyans and Australians are equally human. Fortunately what happened in Kenya will never happen in Australia because of people like Bruce Haigh, who are willing to draw the public's attention to addressing a problem before it becomes irrevocably damaging.
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BT :
24 Jan 2010 2:34:32pm
@ "Happy African"
For someone who has been living here for only two years, your command of the English/Australian language and mannerisms seems to match up 100% with Aussies. Not to mention the fact that you keep reasserting that you are indeed BLACK. HAHAHA
Your attempt to pretend to be a Kenyan Immigrant is so pathetic it's laughable.
Why can't you racists/apologists just be honest?
If you really are a black Kenyan immigrant as you claim to be I'll eat my bloody hat. Seriously.
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just me :
09 Feb 2010 8:31:37pm
@ BT ... get over it!
I know of other African immigrants who possess an outstanding repertoire of the English language. Much better than some of my 'local Aussie mates'. Maybe it is some white bloke, who cares.
Racism comes in many forms, I agree Aus can be racist but so can any country. Think about the fact we let in over 125,000 immigrants each year. Can you imagine 7 million white people settling in India each year? They would love that.
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happy african :
26 Feb 2010 8:37:51pm
Perhaps it is you who is the racist, BT. If you knew anything about Kenya, you would know that English is one of the official languages. I was educated in English, speak it at home, speak Kiswahili too, and a little Luhya. Of course, I'm sure it's a surprise to people like you that Africa even has schools!
And I, like many other Kenyans (I'm sure you don't know any) will call myself African from time to time. Why? Because I am African. And as any African will tell you, there's more that unites us than separates us.
I don't need ignorant idiots questioning my identity based on their own ideas of what an African should sound like. Do you question Kofi Annan's identity when he makes an eloquent speech? Or Nelson Mandela's identity when he writes an elegant passage of English? Of course, these two men can't possibly be African, they're too eloquent!
I am a thirty year old, female, tertiary educated Kenyan, from Runda, Nairobi. My sound grasp of the English language is a testament to my intelligence. Your questioning my identity is a testament to your ignorance.
And Truth Be Told, you should know better for going along with these idiots.
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Happy african :
26 Feb 2010 9:29:34pm
I also have noticed, BT, that you do not accuse Truth Be Told of being a white racist in disguise. Why not? He also writes English. Yet you accuse me of being a hoax because I use the word " mate." Of course, a dumb illiterate Kenyan like myself could never pick up some of the Aussie vernacular, no matter how long I live here. It is simply beyond my limited mental capacity.
Whoops! There I go, using those big words again. How unKenyan of me.
And, TB, I made the point of describing myself as BLACK to differentiate myself from Indian, Chinese and Anglo Kenyans. No doubt this is a challenging concept for you. Aren't all Kenyans supposed to be black? Don't they all live in mud huts and jump up and down and throw spears at eachother?
Why is it, TB, that those who condemn others as racist are so often deeply racist themselves, eh?
As for you, Truth Be Told, you are more deluded than Esther Arunga. You align yourself with those who secretly despise you. Bogus.
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Carlos L鏕ez :
26 Nov 2009 3:24:19pm
Hello!
I'm Venezuelan. Many of my best friends have moved to Australia running away from Communism and crime in my country. Their experiences are awesome, They love the country, the culture, even the weather is not as hard to cope with as it is in places like Canada (another country open to immigration of Latin Americans). Because of them and my own research about cost and quality of live and education, I've been seriously thinking of moving to Australia, despite the distance... however, after reading this article and your comments I'm seriously worried. I've just realized that all my friends who got their work permits and resident visas for Australia are White as any descendant of Spanish or portuguese could be... I don't know any dark sninned venezuelan who have moved to Australia... I'm afro-amerindian-venezuelan married to a 100% persian girl, muslim, and the race issue in Australia is now worrying me. I want to move because of my family and my children, for sure I want them to have all the opportunities and specially peace. However according to some comments I've read from some Aussie politicians, people in internet forums and my own conclusions after observing the kind of peole the Australian government is bringing from my country, Racism seems definitely a serious problem in Australia and even worst, some kind of State policy, the coward, always-denied-but-always present racism latinamericans have always suffered since liberated ourselves european powers.
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The Colour Of One's Skin :
15 Nov 2009 8:54:52am
Racism must all be about how black and rich a person is. Take President Obama and golf champion Tiger Woods. Both have not a white skin but both are very wealthy, and indeed, both would have powerful friends.
I reflect on a story I heard once about a black Australian cricketer, Eddie Gilbert, who was in the Queensland team and is reputed to have bowled the great Don Bradman for a "duck". That is a zero score in cricket. But the story went on. Gilbert was not allowed to take his meal with his fellow white team members - and it was because it was not the done thing. Or maybe the white administrators and players were ashamed to be seen with a black man in their midst. Think. What if Gilbert had been a wealthy, well educated and had powerful friends?? Would Gilbert have been seated at the head of the table??
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White Immigrant :
08 Jan 2010 8:23:18am
Racism has nothing to do with the coulour of your skin. It has to do with your race which is why it is called racism. Sure I was told to go back to my own country a few times at school. So what? I was called several names. So what? You all speak as if there is no racism in any other country. If you have travelled and worked in different countries aas I have you will find racism in every country. As I am white I would have problem living in some Islamic countries. But you would not call this racism would you? Take India
for instance, the Hindu caste system, under which inter-caste marriage is prohibited. Racism of their own people?
You are speaking of Eddie Gilbert whom I nursed in the 1970's. There was no difference in his treatment to the treatment of any other patient. If the players did not want to be seen with him then why was he playing at all? If you do not want to be seen with someone do you make an exception when it suits you. Don't think so. And why bring something up that happened 79 years ago?
On 6 November 1931 in a match against NSW at the recently opened Brisbane Cricket Ground (the "Gabba") in Brisbane, he dismissed opener Wendell Bill for a duck with his first ball. The incoming batsman was Don Bradman (at the time, the best batsman in the world) and the next delivery was so quick that it literally knocked the bat from his hands. Bradman was then caught behind by wicket-keeper Len Waterman for a third ball duck.
I have many friends from many different countries both "Coloured", Islamic and Jewish. They don't seem to have too many problems. So why do you? Maybe you should try to mix a little with the people around you. Or do you think you are too good for that?
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jojo :
08 Jan 2010 11:28:53am
damn it's just a discussion why not approach it in calm way and be so defensive. Unless you believe the subject matter to be (half) true.
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just me :
09 Feb 2010 8:39:42pm
I think the problem is people dont try to integrate and if something is said to them, they immediately label it as racism.
At my workplace, we have many from the sub continent who will speak about other employees and point in in their own language. Whether it is Indian or Sri Lankin. Essentially talking behind peoples back and they do this because they know you dont understand. And before you say anything, we have had many complaints from customers of the same ilk as theirs.
Is this not racism?
Take another incident, during comical banter, I suggested another persons mother is quite large and therefore I can see her from here (Sri Lanka) and he immediately labelled me a racist. Interesting.
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happy African :
12 Nov 2009 9:31:52pm
I cannot get over the irony of Indians labeling Australians racist. I am from Kenya, which has a well established Indian community. They live in their own residential areas, run their own businesses, educate their children in Indian only schools, shop in Indian only malls. The only interaction most Kenyan Indians have with their African neighbours is to take their money. Indian shopkeepers won't even touch an African's hand when giving change!
Several years ago I was offered a scholarship to study at a university in Hyderabad, India. I went, despite my misgivings, because the university had a good reputation. This was the biggest mistake of my life! Racist abuse was a daily experience for me and my African friends. We were denied housing, refused entrance into clubs and restaurants, and routinely shaken down for money by police who accused us of being drug dealers. I was spat on and called a " Kalu" even by my fellow students.
Two years ago I migrated to Melbourne, Australia. While it has been a struggle to establish myself, racism has not really been an issue. I have found most Australians to be gracious, curious and respectful. With the exception of...wait for it...Indians!
My first landlady in Melbourne was an Indian Australian. She took me aside one day and told me how lucky I had been to get a room in her dormitory, as " everyone knows how dirty you Africans are." Alas this was not an isolated event. Time and time again, I have experienced rude, racist comments and behaviour (not to mention the ubiquitous staring) from Indians and other sub-continentals.
I have come to love Australia. To all the Indians condemning Australians as racist, I say this: turn your gaze onto yourselves!
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edi :
13 Nov 2009 3:06:24pm
australia as a country is not racist, but de facto, many of individual practice racism direct or indirectly. Unforgotten my family experience, travel from sydney to canberra and stop by at white australian restaurant. Unbelievable, sit 20 minutes but no one come to serve you, but other white family who come later get serve immediately with big smile!! So finally I have to talk to the manager why this happen, but of course, when confronted they never acknowledge that racism is being practiced by the employee. We could understand being the continent located in the south, the level of openness are not there yet!!
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justme :
15 Nov 2009 1:59:23pm
Thats disgusting!
I'm Sri Lankan by ethnicity and Australian by nationality, but hearing that makes me appalled to be related to the subcontinent at all. I have black friends, as I do white friends, asian friends and many others. I would never label any of them dirty or think less of them because of their nationality. I'm wholly revolted to think of that stupid landlady of yours! Give me her name and I'll find her and sort her out for you! Haha, just kidding. :P
Personally, despite my brown skin and subcontinental looks, I've never been a victim of overt racism (I've lived in Australia since I was a baby, so the most part of my 22 years).
The only time attention is drawn to my ethnicity is when (non-subcontinental) guys at clubs are trying to come onto me by telling me how exotic I am, as though I am somehow totally different to the friends I am with.
Sometimes they even try to talk to me in a foreign language despite the fact that my English is far better than their own and that I clearly do NOT seem to understand a word of the Indian, or whatever it is, that they are using to engage me with.
Apart from that, I would not say that Australia is an overly racist place for subcontinental folks, because to be honest I have hardly felt negative valuations placed on me due to the colour of my skin. Having said that, some of my east asian friends have entirely different experiences...
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jojo :
08 Jan 2010 11:31:29am
bingo!! ur last sentence said it all
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just me :
09 Feb 2010 8:46:03pm
Bingo! Australian society can be so ignorant and full of self importance. True, different areas see different traits.
I'm off to live in Korea. Adios!
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Ashish Solanki :
08 Nov 2009 11:03:39am
Hi,
I live at Student Village, Toowoomba. Our house are getting renovated so they want us to change house. If your house are getting renovated and landlord wants you to move they might write you or personally tell you "would you please move as the house are getting renovated."
But in our case we were given form R12 notice to leave on 2nd Nov 09 which was backdated to 12th Oct 09, the notice says your lease will have expire and you have to leave. We already renew the agreement on 19th Oct and while renewing the agreement we were not informed about renovation or anything. We also received email which says "Your request of house transfer has been processed." Well we never requested for house transfer.
When I went to office and ask about form R12 and email I was told I am moving to another house. When I asked about backdated notice to leave and email I was told it is RTA's standard procedure they have to follow!!!!
"Backdating the form and sending email which says your request has been processed" are these really RTA's standard procedure for asking someone to change the house or we were told so because we don't understand the law and cant speak English? Why didn't they ask us normally? Do we have to change the house the way they want?
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Patience :
06 Nov 2009 12:54:43am
I was at Scurphy Murphy's this evening with some friends to have couple of drinks. By the way, I'm from South Asia and have been in Australia for 3 yrs. There happens to be a Quiz game that goes around in the pub where everyone gets to participate and winner awarded. Every single table in the pub got the answer sheet for the quiz except for ours. Isn't that racism. What the waitress must have thought is that we being Asians lag behind when it comes to knowledge. Feel sorry for her!
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jose batres :
31 Oct 2009 5:41:49am
what a load of crap!!! Sol TRUJILLO the mexican guy crying..... because he is not treated nicely. what a coward. TO REALLY see mistreatment of immigrants go to MEXICO and see how they treat central americans like me. I am GUATEMALAN and except from the south of Mexico that is indigenous and mayan, the rest are full of racist mestizos that rape and killed migrants trying to reach the US or overstaying in Mexico. There's a lot of central americans in mexico working because it is a richer country (the richest in latin america but very poor wealth distribution) and has more work even for undocumented. Before Mexicans CRY ABOUT THE BASTION OF FAIRNESS of the USA or Australia they should be a fraction of welcoming and less violent (physical violence) against migrants in their own country. DOWN with the MONOPOLY of preventing CENTRAL AMERICANS REACHING THE US.
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Jesse :
28 Oct 2009 6:20:36pm
Some of you may not believe how hurt and terrible reading all the comments and this article is making me feel. I am born in Australia and suprise suprise I am white. my mum, grandma, great grandma were all born here. My Great great grandman was born in Ireland and moved over here on a boat (I forget the name).
I am only 15 years of age but I like to think that Australia is a very welcoming country full of different races and backgrounds. In my class alone we have croatian, canadian, thai, french, kiwi, Italian (lots of italians) and spanish kids. We all joke about where we come from, but its all in good fun. I know alot of you will call this racism but I call it friendly banter. We all accept that we are different but we all know that everyone is accepted in the community.
I know that a lot of the people reading this will not consider this to be all that important. But It makes me so sad to see how people think of australia. We are not racist, and stereotyping all of the anglos in Australia as racist is straight WRONG. I was walking down the street the other day in Melbourne city. I saw a very similar number of white people as asians and europeans.
Reply with whatever you want, but Australia is not racist, there are a LOT of people who are ruining it for the rest of us, and I apologise for that but please dont stereotype us
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jesse :
05 Nov 2009 3:16:17pm
thats my name!!!!!!!
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Rahul :
29 Nov 2009 10:21:25pm
Jess - You are right. It should not be stereotyped. I am from India and have been working here for 3 years as a temporary worker. I have been through some incidents but I take them on a very light note. I have been involved in a lot many volunteering activities in Aus and love making friends and meeting new people while doing so.
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Jim :
17 Oct 2009 10:36:47pm
Australia is absolutely a racist country - but no more so than most. Not all Australians are racist, in the cities it can get as cosmopolitan as anywhere -- but there is a massive underbelly of weird, gleeful racial derision that spans all classes.
I am a white foreigner who has lived in Australia for about three years now. As many great things as there are about this place, there is zero doubt that Australia is seriously backwards when it comes to race.
I just walked of the George St Sydney, right near ABC HQ, where I saw two drunk white Ozzies knock a Korean guy (alone) off his bike "accidently" into the street at full speed, act as if they didn't mean to, and then laugh to themselves as they said "Ni-hou" to him in Chinese.
This happened in broad daylight, in front of about 8 other white people, who were either snickering or doing nothing.
I have seen this kind of thing several times over the years here. It is a common thing, and any Australian reading this knows that, just like they know its OK to say "Asian girls are easy" and to grumble about "Lebs" and about how "dangerous" Redfern is (PLEASE). I am white, so I get to hear ALL of this from coworkers friends and strangers.
Some of you are probably even asking yourself "..so what is even wrong with saying ni-hou - they probably just thought he was Chinese?" Which is further evidence that YOU JUST DON'T GET IT.
This kind of thing is common here. Alcohol is usually part of it - and contrary to what some on here have said, it doesn't excuse it. It just brings to public what people say in private, and lowers peoples' inhibitions.
While so advanced, more advanced than N America in a lot of ways, and overall a GREAT country and people, this is probably the main weakness.
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Angus :
09 Nov 2009 2:44:45pm
You win, man. Your comment was articulate, well presented and a lot more than I expected from an internet debate. High fives!
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Charles Stewart Lee :
08 Jan 2010 8:31:42pm
Good post Jim.
Really good post :)
I cannot understand why the issue is not being addressed. Maybe the focus on bullying at school is used to try and diminish the extent of the problem in Australia. Acknowledging and dealing with racism would serve to address the bullying problem as well seeing as bullying has a lot of common aspects with racism.
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Sabel :
12 Oct 2009 9:57:07am
Generalisations tend to end up messily.
'Australia is Racist'
Who is Australia? Australia, as a country is not 'racist'. The country is not racist. It is a group of people who are racist.
'Not all Australians are racist'
Not true. Well, not true in my experience. I have not met a single person who has never felt the urge to discriminate. I don't believe a person who has ever felt uncomfortable around people different to themselves has ever existed.
We are a species who dislike change. We are snugly comfortable in our little niches of society and reject changes. We dislike different environments. Before the whole globalisation 'thing' began, almost all cultures lived secluded to each other. The slightest clash of cultures brought up patriotic hate - for example, the age old enmity between the English and the French, or the English and the Scots. The Asians stayed in ASIA. The Europeans in EUROPE. English people lived in ENGLAND. Africans lived in AFRICA.
Its no wonder that each little culture grew a huge ego within itself. The chinese regarded themselves as the 'middle kingdom', the English thought they were God's Gift to all nations (from a religious perspective)... Some secluded communities in Africa thought they were the only people on earth.
So after a few hundred years, travelling around the globe has become an everyday thing for the globalised generation. Most countries know that other skin-coloured people exist (Other than a few small tribes in Brazil who are under Protection Acts to preserve native culture). We've become modernised physically, but our attitudes are harder to change. If you're a chinese kid like me, you might have grown up in a home where your parents thought that people with dark skin were evil, that white people were fat slobs, Aboriginals are stupid and other stereotypes.
However, I know that this is wrong. Growing up in a country such as Australia, the majority of the black people I know AREN'T evil, most whites I know are hardworking types, and all my Aboriginal friends are actually quite smart.
But beliefs are hard to change. I'm 15, so I think I count as a Gen Z, or a Gen Y. When I grow up, my beliefs are going to be outdated, people are going to call me racist for saying that all Asians are hardworking and all Asian kids probably want to become Doctors and Lawyers.
Face the truth, the proverbial 'they' is never going to be satisfied. And most of us here are part of it.
If you believe something, stand up for it. If people tell you that you are wrong, then maybe you should analyse your ideas. But the thing is, stop complaining and take an optimistic look. We have laws in Australia that we can enforce. No government is perfect and neither are any people we know. Why don't you just do what you can as an individual?
Australia is not going to 'be the worst' or 'become worse' forever if everyone who can see our problem begins working for a solution.
W
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Jason :
19 Oct 2009 10:51:31am
I hope that this doesnt sound condescending, but that was a rather thoughtful, honest and well written piece.
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I am :
23 Feb 2010 3:12:55pm
You are actually smarter than most people on here. I hope you maintain your optimism.
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Kate :
08 Oct 2010 10:20:59pm
Whats with all these 15 year olds?? that are brighter and more articulate than all of us.Wow.
Only thing I would point out is that the vikings traded regularly with middle easterners,the north africans mined in cornwall in ancient times,the jews have been in england and scotland since the norman conquest,africans have been in greece and yemen since ancient times,arabs have traded with africans since well before european exploration etc etc,russians lived side by side with mongols.
The majority of "roman soliders" in england were not roman but north african,hungarian,balkan etc.
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Maestro :
24 Oct 2010 3:42:48am
No buddy, English people didnt stay in ENGLAND. Those worthies spread all over colonising the different parts of the world. And exported the thugs to what is now called Australia.
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Michael :
11 Oct 2009 3:09:33pm
Hi,
I'm a University student doing a project on the way racism is expressed in Australia - both overt or subtle.
I've read some comments on here from immigrants who have experienced, first-hand, incidents of racism, and would love to talk to these people for a more comprehensive account - if they could spare the time.
Unfortunately, it seems there is no way to directly contact these people.
So, I've decided to post this message in the hope that someone who has experienced an incidence of genuine racism will be kind enough to contact me and give me a comprehensive account of what happened.
I can't pay you unfortunately - I'm too poor ). I'm just hoping that kind heartedness will prevail and someone will think, "yeah, I'll help this guy with his project and tell him my story".
I know racism is a blindspot with many Australians. Never having personally abused, mistreated, or been anything other than accepting of people of other races, and additionally seeing their cities full of people of different races, they don't see a huge problem.
It obviously exists however.
If you could help me me with your story it would be greatly appreciated.
My email address is - [email protected]
Thanks
micheal
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Zaky :
11 Oct 2009 8:41:19am
Most of white people think that all migrants are refugees! NO THEY ARE NOT ALL REFUGEES, the fact is that the Australian government is placing adds overseas inviting best professionals from all over the world to come to the HEAVENS OF AUSTRALIA, unfortunately the poor migrant spends a lot of money to move and then shocked with the WHITE PEOPLE ATTITUDE.
FOR ME I WENT BACK, THANKS TO RACISM IN AUSTRALIA.
I ask white people to accept others or stop your government to bring more people to develop you country with you.
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Herbert :
28 Oct 2009 10:23:21pm
I'm pretty sure most white people do not think "all migrants are refugees". Your comment is a racist generalization in itself.
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shelly :
10 Jan 2010 2:00:37am
Why worry about words...I was student then. My employer treated me as if I was an idiot. I worked for 3 weeks without salary to show him I can work and I can communicate in English. Well, he never treated me equal to other white workers. Couple of months later, he told me, "you guys come here, go on dole, do nothing, you guys are so poor" and then I told him that I was doing a Master's in Accountancy for which I was paying 40000$ for 2 years. He would not have even imagined that amount in his dreams. So, Aussies please get the background right before you think that we just come here and you go racist. If migrants go back think where your economy be?
Plus my husband was told by recruitment consultants that they do not even look at his resume after they look at his Indian name. Would you call this racism or not?
I would love to go to USA where at least my resume will be looked upon knowing Indian education system is at par with theirs.
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zaky :
01 Feb 2010 7:28:10am
Dear Herbert and Dani,
May be the words didn't help me that much, I don't mean that all white people are racists,I am white myself and almost don't have an accent,I met many Aussies while working as a Taxi driver for 2 years in Australia, most of them are nice but they feel that "others" came to take their jobs and change their cultur,and Australia is better without them!!
As a small evidence of that Australia suffers Racism is that I am now working as an IT Project Manager in my original country after I came back, while i couldn't find much less than that job in Australia in the IT field ,while IT is IT every where in the whole world.
I did love Austrlia and still do from my heart, but I can't live there feeling I am not wanted.
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Dani :
15 Nov 2009 2:40:35pm
Me being both white and Australian can say that myself, classmates and teachers do not think all migrants are refugees. Actually i dont know anyway who does.
Your second point was promoting australia? This isnt racist either, it is the government simply trying to invite more people to the country to help with economic growth (tho dont quote me on that, being only 13 im still learning about immagration and the like)
Your next point, 'white people attitude'? Thats a racist comment in itself, I'll understand the fact that you are mad and that you have obviously experenced racist acts agaisnt you, but white people are the same as everyone else, we have our own views, oppinions and personality and catogrising us into one 'attitude' isn't fair at all.
Which brings me to your next point, asking white people to accept others or stop the government inviting more people.
As i have said before, I am both Australian and white and so are many of my friends (i would also like to point the fact out that i do have 'non-white' friends). I grew up in Port-headland which if you dont know has a large population of aborigines. I'm sure that aboriginal people have suffered much more then your race (was not specified) and they have no where to go back to because australia is their 'home country'. Going back to the topic of 'accepting' people, as you can imagine all or most of my friends and parents friends were aboriginals my dad also still helps them out today, after moving to rockingham I have only met a few racist people, most of which being idiot boys in my year. I think most Australians are accepting, though i cant speak on everyones behalf.
I will agree that Australia is racist, there is no denying that fact. I'm currently researching for an assignment where i picked the topic 'australia is a racist country'. I also agree with most comments saying that they didnt like australia because of what happened, but your comment was rude to people who do accept other religions races ect. have you actually gone around to every white australian and talked to them? you might find to your surprise some of them are actually kind and treat everyone equally.
Naturally i have alot to learn about the world because I'm still of such a young age, but really be more considerate next time.
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Katherine :
23 Apr 2011 12:35:03pm
Great comment Dani.
Good to hear that there are still youths that are open-minded. I am Australian too, from Sydney originally. Your story is so true, and this valuable debate shows racism is everywhere.
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atiana :
01 Dec 2009 3:28:50pm
Hi Z,
Unfortunately, that's the aussie way. I am a russian migrant and im only 19 however I have lived here since I was 7 years old. I have been called everything from Russian Child Prostitute at primary school by the children and worst of all their parents and all I get off boys now as an adult is all the disgusting derogatory "Russian Girls" comments or they want to go to meet my russian friends or they believe I only want to be with them to get a visa to stay in the country, despite the fact I am a permanent resident, have been to school and uni here and my parents own our home and both have great careers! My parents were refugees and they worced so hard their whole lives here to do the best for me and my brother and send us to good school and university which is alot more than I can say for some people, despite the fact that my aussie friends still smile the pity smile at me and believe i eat cabbage soup all day and sit and get drun on vodka. The sad fact is that all immigrants built australia - From the Italians to the Lebanese to the Maltese to the Irish, The East Europeans - it was built, everything here, by the immigrants but it will never be recognized. Just take a look at their "cuisine" It's all foreign food, australia should stop this "hands across australia" bs and just recognise it for what it is....a melting pot full of different races from very violent, unstable regions of the world where political and cultural tensions run deep and thick. Then you have the aboriginals who were and today are violted beyond belief so they have their hatred toward the whitefella. Then aussie government and society just thrusts us all together and expectes us to "assimilate"...it's stupidly obvious that that is a totally irrational expectation.
I have many anglo-saxan friends and many friends from various regions through the world, my best friend however is from philopeans and the racism she recives is just cruel and outright wrong.
Russia is a very racist country - but they don't for a minute promote something they are NOT and confuse the common citizin.
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All's well in my world :
10 Oct 2009 12:13:40pm
This likely won't be printed, but;
Wow, I've read through most of the comments underneath and I've got say say I'm very surprised. I'm the result of a mixed marraige, with reasonably dark skin. I have Sri Lankan Australian cousins, Indonesian Australian and I'm married to a Greek woman (who arrived here at the age of three). I truly have NOT noticed very much racism here at all - of course you get pockets of it but that's about it. But that's true for the whole planet. Did you know in France they spat on black Football/soccer players? In Italy they made monkey noises when dark skin players took to the pitch? I don't hate the French or Italians.
I'm certainly not denying racism exists but am saying it is nowhere near as bad as you make it out to be. I think many of you are whingers who add nothing constructive whatsoever to this race argument and yes I am in a position to comment. The bashed Indian students is a disgrace, but surely you realise they aren't the only bashed people in this country. I read a statistic which said more than half the Indian student bashings were carried out by Lebanese, Sudanese and other darker skinned people ie; Mediterranean types.
Here's something else for you to get fired up at me about. I have even heard Indian parents and Greek parents say they would be very disappointed if their son/daughter married an Australian, mmmm, is that not also racist. Seriously, most of you people here only see the bad in everything and everyone. Go outside, away from your computers and if you want to avoid "racially motivated" fights stay away from pubs where guys get completely smashed out of their brains then fuelled up on booze pick on anybody not part of their group.
Biggest bunch of sooks on here I've ever come across. Mixed marraige Australian, with an extremely mulicultural family and proud to live here :-)
God bless you all.
- Unless all the racism is in Sydney??? Don't get there much........
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SafeHaven :
09 Oct 2009 8:26:25pm
Hi guys.
As an indian migrant to Australia, many can say that my view of Australia as a racist country is pretty one sided, if i believed that australia was racist. But the real issue is that 'what is the true meaning of an australian'?
one thing must be pointed out first, and that is, everybody in Australia is an immigrant. Yes, its true. When the white settlers came to back then 'Terra Nullius', on their ships, they were immigrants, coming from the great mother country, Britain, in search of a new land to expand their empire. This draws parallels to modern day refugees form indonesia, who come to Australia to raise their children and prosper in a new land, a land where they can live happily without facing the problems of their homeland. If its anybody to decide on who should come to australia or not, it is the job of the indigenous population, the real Australians. The anglo-saxon australians are immigrants like everybody in australia (with exception to the aboriginies).
So with this established, the notion of 'nationalism' has a whole new meaning. But the prooblem is, the sense of 'Australian' differs from what it should mean. A true 'Australian' in a modern context is anybody iving in Australia. However, the term is only confined to the ones of Anglo Saxon heritage. A good example of this: You see a lebanese guy, and you immediately refer to him as lebanese. Then you see an anlo saxon guy next to him, and the term 'Australian' comes up. But in reality, the lebanese man is about as australain as the anglo guy next to him.
Second example: Why are aboriginals is anybody iving in Australia. However, the term is only confined to the ones of Anglo Saxon heritage. A good example of this: You see a lebanese guy, and you immediately refer to him as lebanese. Then you see an anlo saxon guy next to him, and the term 'Australian' comes up. But in reality, the lebanese man is about as australain as the anglo guy next to him.
Second example: Why are aboriginals referred to as 'indigenous Australians?' yes it can be argued that indigenous means they were the original custodians of the land, and that its respectful. but if analysed closely, there is no reason for them to be called that. It seems that the indigenous derives from the difference in colour of the skin. What is the difference? What would be respectful is to have indigenous representation in the areas of the highest social hieracrchy.
The real reason theres racism is because of the misunderstanding of the term 'Australian' and due to years of ignorance built up through the misunderstanding of what a real australian is, we have these problems.
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Herbert :
28 Oct 2009 10:31:38pm
"You see a lebanese guy, and you immediately refer to him as lebanese. Then you see an anlo saxon guy next to him, and the term 'Australian' comes up. But in reality, the lebanese man is about as australain as the anglo guy next to him."
Have you ever considered that part of the problem is that the lebanese guy you're referring to probably calls himself lebanese rather than Australian?
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shelly :
10 Jan 2010 2:05:18am
its because he was told that everyday by people like you
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sebastian caramanga :
26 Jan 2010 7:52:41am
precisely
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Just me :
10 Feb 2010 3:33:45am
Its interesting that you compare the first white settlers to current Indonesian immigrants. The simple fact is, the white settlers came and built the foundations of what we have today. They did not come to join the indigenous Australians, live in caves and throw spears at local fauna.
I wish everyone on here would understand the difference between 'settlers' and 'immigrants'.
SO @ SafeHaven: the first non-indigenous inhabitants of Australia WERE NOT IMMIGRANTS.
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seajae :
08 Mar 2010 10:40:37pm
actually the aborigines beat the white setlers here, they were also settlers from another country originally all be it 40,000 or so years ago but they are only settlers like the whites, so in a way he is right, none of us have been here from the beginning, just from different eras.
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kimmy :
09 Oct 2009 3:48:30pm
I was born in australia and was adopted into an orphanage six weeks after birth. I have no family and i do not know of my heritage. What i have noticed here in this country is that most people that are not born in Australia are incredibly racist?? I don't think it's an "Aussie" issue? Immigrants tend to see white australians as thundering idiots?? It doesnt matter if you were born here, if your parents are Lebonese, you are LEBONESE, despite being born in australia. It doesnt matter to immigrants weather your grandparents fought in the world war 2 to protect this country - new australians have many more rights than born australians. So there's a little tension -???
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manny :
09 Oct 2009 10:14:02am
FOR God sake.......Please let the people who feel the pain of racism and discrimination express their hurt. How can a white person feel and understand this hurt. you cannt see the injustice done on the Aborigine community either. when i go out i am called curry....I dont like it but my white friends laugh. its not right. If AUSTRALIA thinks this is ok then it won't be far that Australia kk Klan will be born, I am sure think it exists...in attitude.I am sure this article wont be printed........And dont tell us migrants to go back wher we came from..in that case we all should leave the cuntry including the Australian people.....we ALL are migrants.
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Dean :
09 Oct 2009 11:54:14am
I was born here i am NOT a migrant. You probably were not hence you are a migrant. Your argument is very one sided and very very insulting to a nation who's taken you in. Things need to be improved yes, but the entire nation is not responsible.
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Fidel :
09 Oct 2009 3:19:21pm
Dean, you have it all wrong. In my case, I was born here, even my parents were both born here - we all consider ourselves true aussie's unfortunately we will never be accepted because of our skin colour.
Australia is still a 'white Australia' my friend even with an ever growing population of black, yellow & olive skinned colours. We are tolerated but will never be accepted and the signs and evidence of this prevails. It will be 50yrs or more before other than white skinned coloured people will be industry & govt leaders and as has been said before on this thread appear in media and TV to portray aussies as anything else other than white.
Its in poor taste imo to tell people perhaps more aussie than yourself to bugger off if they dont like it here when in fact its people like you that need to change.
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Dean :
10 Oct 2009 11:22:54am
I'm completly accepting of other races and cultures. What makes Australia special is the fact we are made up of plenty of cultures. However, whoever thinks that this clash of cultures would not bring some sort of tension is a moron. Its not only "the white australian" who causes these tensions, all other races have shown racism no matter what colour, but its not the majority its a minority that makes headlines. To bring down a reputation of a such a great country because of the few should be criminal. I for one am proud to be here and very grateful. As i said things need to improve and it will take AUSTRALIA as a whole to do so. Imo that will not happen anytime soon.
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safehaven :
14 Jan 2010 8:03:39pm
A nation whose taken you in?
in for what, abuse and racial abuse?
Im pretty sure that 'nation' doesnt ecompass everyone.......
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Just me :
12 Feb 2010 8:06:14pm
manny, there is a difference between a migrant and a settler...google those terms...you will be surprised!
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pj :
08 Oct 2009 3:16:37pm
If Australia is so racist,why are so many different cultures coming here? Please,don't bother coming,I for one certainly wouldn't if thats how I felt.If you don't like it..GET OUT!!!That mentality is not needed or wanted!You want to call Australia home,stop the groan,and get on with it!
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v :
27 Nov 2009 11:46:22pm
Hi PJ,
Your comment is stupid at best. The reason most of us come here is because your Aussie embassies run ads advertising how good it is to migrate to Australia and to live there. They are literally begging for skilled migrants to come to Australia promising us equality, respect for everyones culture etc etc. When we arrive it takes a few years for migrants to realise that it was all a lie.
The fact is simple. If this country promised us equality then it should keep its side of the bargain just like we have kept ours. We are educated, we work hard and we are good citizens but we will not take crap and will refuse to shake hands with a racist. Its hardly surprising that anglo-australians never get along with non-anglos. Look at the common denominator. Do you really think that the rest of the world is wrong and does not know how to integrate or the problem is with anglo australianns who simply dont want to integrate themselves?
Migrants from other anglo nations e.g UK, US etc. easily get jobs and that to at executive levels whilst non-anglos have to resort to driving cabs. Ridiculous!! The rasism in Australia is blatantly obvious.
No, we will not get out and we will not take your crap, like it or not.
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shelly :
10 Jan 2010 2:09:11am
do ur home work...if we go back...which many chinese and indians are doing as their economies are going up...white australia will be back...and of course 100% outsourcing will be there...you know why...workers wont be there..
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Jason :
07 Oct 2009 2:12:01pm
As an addition to my comment below.
Right now ,while you sit at your desk reading this, there are hundreds of thousands if not millions of immigrants, international students, or 2nd/3rd generation Australians NOT BEING BASHED or abused. In fact they are thriving. They are setting up businesses, helping businesses achieve their goals, they are learning about different cultures (not just Australian)etc. They are being presented with opportunities that they may not otherwise have had. But that doesn't sell newspapers.
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Nos :
08 Oct 2009 1:42:17pm
I think you are missing the real issue Jason. Sure Aus offers opportunities to countless immigrants however those opportunities are 'controlled' unfortunately. The incumbent 'white anglo' population will ensure that non-whites are not in positions of decision makers or community leaders.
You compare Australia to Asian countries - if you compare us to the US, we are decades behind them. They have dark skinned people hosting TV shows, as leaders in the corporate world and as leaders in Govt. I dont think I will live long enough to see this in Australia even though we have a large & growing population of black, yellow & olive skinned people - 2nd/3rd/4th generation aussies at that.
I am sure the Harry Connick Jnr saw Australia as a racist (White Australia Policy still lingers)after the Red Faces act last night as did the world.
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ES :
09 Nov 2009 8:10:54pm
Well said!!! As an American having spent time in Australia, I am much prouder now to be an American than I was post Australia. At least America is willing to recognize merit over color.
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sebastian caramanga :
26 Jan 2010 7:54:50am
precisely
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Jason :
07 Oct 2009 12:00:27pm
I am an ESL teacher (teaching English to people from other countries), and have been one for 10 years working both here in Australia and overseas. I would just like to add something to this whole debate.
As an "Anglo", who has left Australia and lived in other cultures (not just gone there for a holiday), I would like to say just one thing. EVERYBODY is racist. I hated being in a monoculture like Japan, being told that my country is racist, while Japan only has 1% immigration, and that immigration is only from other Asian countries.
As an English teacher I often talk about racism. My students love the multiculturalism here, however when asked if they would like to have it in their own country...the resounding answer is no.
Are Australians racist? No...we have a small element that is. What we have is a diverse range of people, with a diverse range of social norms and ideals all trying to live together. Problems occur when these social norms overlap. I would challenge any of the people and governments where the majority of immigrants are coming from, to handle an influx of millions of Anglos. Do you honestly think India and Indians would not be racist if millions of whites came and set-up shop? Or the Lebanese, or Chinese etc etc.
This does not absolve the racist behaviour here. I would just like people (all people, Australian, non-Australian, recent immigrant or second, third generation) to keep a few things in the back of their minds. Why are so many immigrants coming here? Does your home country have so much immigration? How do you feel when somebody tells you how to live?
At least Australia is giving multiculturalism a go....which is a lot more than what the majority of the world is doing. People need to learn respect. Immigrants need to respect the fact that this is not their homeland and that social norms are different here, and that if you break or overstep those norms people will get upset. Australians need to respect immigrants, and understand that these people come from a very different place. We need more open dialogue, where people can openly talk about their fears and concerns....and not be labelled a racist.
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Fi :
08 Oct 2009 8:43:10pm
First of all, kudos for being an ESL teacher. Now to be honest, your reasoning is so flawed that it's quite alarming, given the person in your position.
Unfortunately, your apparent limited understanding of history is failing you. Millions of whites coming to a country and setting up shop? Have you seriously forgotten about colonialism? White people taking over Africa, US, Asia, South America etc etc and not just setting up shop, but TAKING OVER THE WHOLE NATION and raping and robbing and killing the locals.
If you are white, I tell you this. Live your life feeling absolutely GUILTY and act accordingly, for all the sins of your ancestors and what it has done to the world... for as long as the third world countries suffer and die of poverty due to the debt that colonialisation initiated.
Educate yourself.
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Jason :
09 Oct 2009 12:17:31pm
Thanks for YOUR racism Fi. As a white I have done nothing. I have never owned or shot a slave, nor would I want to, and I do not want to be punished for the colour of my skin. My ancestors MAY have done something bad, I cant be sure because I am not interested in my family history. If your thinking is that white people now need to be punished for what their ancestors did, then this is no different from people saying now that all black people are criminals based on the behaviour of some blacks.
I am fully aware of history, thank you very much. That statement about us going over there, is meant to represent the current situation. If whites in the CURRENT political climate went to other nations, I am certain they would face similar discrimination as immigrants do here.
One of the major problems with racism is that we wallow in the past. Yes I know what people have done, and when I say people I mean all races and the negative things they have done to each other. History teaches us how we have reached our present point, and tells us what mistakes we should not repeat. But we need to deal with the present and future situation, rather than flogging people now for things that happened in the past.
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Kimmy :
09 Oct 2009 8:42:16pm
Fi, you are a wanker. If everyone was to act guilty for the sins of their ancestors we would ALL be wallowing in guilt, no matter what race.
If you can think of an example of someone who's ancestors did nothing to be ashamed of let me know. I'm not just talking about racism here.
Oh - and buy the way we all have the same ancestors anyway if you look far enough back.
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Sabel :
12 Oct 2009 10:20:07am
Fi.
You sound like you were bored. And needed somewhere to vent.
It's great that you vented and your feelings are all out there.
Its great that we now know that there are people out there who think that stuff our ancestors did is still relevant today.
I guess PM Rudd sort of agrees with you. That was the point of the apology, wasn't it?
However...
Just one problem. Please stop calling people with white skin white. Or just stop generalising by saying 'All whites do this', or 'All whites think that'. Before saying things like that, it would be more conducive for you to take a survey of every single person in entire of white descent to get their opinions, so as to make sure you're not discriminating.
Cos', if you were discriminating, that's Racism, right? Then you've just dug yourself a hole, right?
Now finally, addressing your whole sob story of 'White people came and killed everyone and raped all our women and kids and robbed all the locals.' Well Boohoo.
Maybe that justifies an African or Asian or some other person's hate for whites. (I mean seriously, if some guys came and raped all the people in your village, I'd be wary about their descendants too) But it does not justify you thinking that all whites should be guilty about this.
I mean, when the Japs came and raided Nanjing (In china) (Known as the 'Rape of Nanjing'), there was massacre and lots and lots of rape and whatever else the whites also did to Asians, Africans, etc.
And seriously, my grandma, who didn't even LIVE NEAR Nanjing (She lived in the faaaar faaar opposite corner of China), still has a very negative opinion of Japs. However, she reserves her hate for those bastards who came and trashed Nanking. When I introduce her to Jap friends, she is free from malice. After all, they never did anything to earn her hate. In fact, she's quite fond of Japanese people in general (other than those bastards who came and trashed Nanjing).
Ok. That didn't make sense did it?
Let me rephrase. What I'm saying is, maybe there were a few stuck up white bastards somewhere in History who decided that killing everyone else was a great idea, but that doesn't make every single other white a psychopath who still thinks that every other nation on earth is under his little finger.
Feeling guilty about this stuff is their choice, but in my view, they shouldn't need to. I mean, my great-great-grandpa was one of those rich landlord peoples in China who thought enslaving a whole load of Burmese and having six Indian wives was a great idea.
You don't see me going around and apologising to all Burmese and feeling dead guilty just because a few of them might have been beaten or even killed under my Great-great-gramp's roof. In fact, I'm quite proud to be part Burmese and a bit indian from one of his six wives.
So there.
Be a bit more positive, woncha?
So what if white people at that time caused the huge debt that we have
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Eavesdropper :
12 Oct 2009 9:02:23pm
*** Quote: I mean, my great-great-grandpa was one of those rich landlord peoples in China who thought enslaving a whole load of Burmese and having six Indian wives was a great idea. ***
Oh boy, Sabel. You're kidding me. This Chinese guy thought that? I thought the Chinese were the good guys. They'd never do that kind of thing.
Yeah I'm aware of the feudalism during the old Imperial regime. But most of the stories I have read have been about the Chinese being the victims. I don't hear stories about what some rich landlord did. It's more to do with the British coming in with their guns and playing war games with the locals.
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lambert :
24 Oct 2010 12:43:00pm
And, isnt there this notion about chinese short tools ;) Six wifes and short tool, I'd like to be ur great grandpa's neighbour...
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Herbert :
28 Oct 2009 10:54:15pm
I don't think that colonialism has any relevance to a HYPOTHETICAL situation where white ppl set up shop in a non-white country. Besides, in both cases there's going to be racism from both sides. What's your point here? Sounds like you just want to slag white people. And yeh, as if I'm going to feel guilty about what my ancestors might have done - things that I have absolutely no control over.
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truth be told :
04 Dec 2009 2:56:08pm
thank you
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BT :
24 Jan 2010 2:21:52pm
@ Jason
Considering that the MAJORITY of immigrants to Australia are from the UK and NZ, yes those countries do have similar immigrations laws to Australia. The MAJORITY of immigrants to Australia ARE ANGLO, which disqualifies your whole "millions of whites invading India similar to millions of darkies invading Aus hypothetical" argument. If you don't believe me look up the ABS statistics for yourself. Not to mention the fact that "millions" is a huge overstatement, considering that immigration is CAPPED at around the 130,000 mark a year. 115,000 last year.
Every developed country in the world, is giving multiculturalism a go. It is the nature of the global economy.
Why should immigrants accept the social norms When most white Aussies don't? Most aussies have broken the law even and smoked pot, should they be deported? What the hell is a social norm anyway?
As an educated man, how do you live in such ignorance Jason? At the heart of the racist mind, lies ignorance and cowardice.
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Just me :
12 Feb 2010 7:49:07pm
130,000/20,000,000=0.0065x1,139,964,932=7,409,772
Does India allow over 7 million immigrants to make India their home every year? I'm sure they would enjoy a few million white folk settling down. Considering that if your not born in India, you will never become a citizen.
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Just me :
12 Feb 2010 7:50:26pm
Thankyou Jason, its good to see someone with credibility as opposed to reverse racist keyboard jockeys.
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Zaky :
03 Oct 2009 10:02:46pm
You are so right Michael, I had the same feeling from a guy rejected me for renting his house when i told him from where i came from!!
I felt very much insulted and still feel that untill now after 2 years.
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Michael :
03 Oct 2009 5:47:23pm
I am an immigrant from South East Asia who has been in Australia for 18 years and in my early years, while in school I have experienced racism. I often try to see both sides and understand concern when so called "visitors" segregate themselves and fail to even try to be apart of the Australian society.
Today, for the first time after 15 years, I heard my first "Go back to where you came from"!!! In was the result of a disagreement in a carpark where I was accused of blocking someone from coming out of a parking space. I tried to explain that I myself was blocked in and was abused and when I urged patience, I was told to do exactly that - " Go back to where I came from"!!! While it is easy to say that racism is the refuge of a feeble mind, I am still filled with anger and hatred, especially since, immediately after that was said, the person in question immediately got into the car - a sign of unadulterated cowardice.
More importantly, for hours after the incident I felt such rage and hatred, even for those innocent people around me.
I urge everyone to remember that racism and hatred is like a cancer. We must be strong (and I am still try hard to remember this) and not let it spread or we will just be a society of angry hateful people whatever our cultural background.
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Fi :
08 Oct 2009 8:47:45pm
And I hope you didn't feel bad about that racial slur.
The "developed" countries in the world OWE it to the oppressed races, africans, asians, sth americans etc for suffering and continually pay for this suffering in the form of enormous debt.
You have every right to be here! Rich countries are rich because of the work of the people they colonised, brutalised, terrorised.
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Ann :
04 Nov 2009 11:16:14am
Fi, you've been getting a lot of flack from people on this web page. I have to say kudos to you.
I have been agreeing with your posts.
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Cos :
06 Dec 2009 1:56:34am
Fi, you are absolutely right
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safehaven :
15 Jan 2010 10:14:17am
i respect your opinion fi, good work.
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VoR :
24 Oct 2010 7:55:24pm
I'm a white woman who got the same from a Mexican woman in San Jose when she didn't want me to park in front of her house. They both might have been racist. Or they both might have been saying whatever they hoped would be the most hurtful because they're idiotic a***holes. Given the situations, I tend to go for the latter.
But really, you said it. The person is a feeble minded coward. They exist. Unpleasant to meet. Get over it. Having said that, my incident was 25 years ago and I haven't forgotten it. :)
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Ashish :
19 Sep 2009 6:05:37pm
What is meant by Australian Culture anyway? Footie, Booze, Dry Humour is what I get to know from any travel guide. Have the Australians really tried to get rid of racism in a sincere manner? The plight of Aborigines answers this question.. I hope there are real Australian who has guts and values to stand up from what is right, and not just harbour a false honest/integrity notion on the outside and a racists mind on the inside.
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wayne :
23 Sep 2009 11:44:38pm
im not racist but they say Australia is multicultural nation and we vote on it, i am 30 years old and i have not seen or my parents or grand parents seen such a vote hear can any Australian explain this?, rights for all mankind to live in peace should be, but to call a country of a multicultural nation with out the peoples vote on it is not right and why people picking on Anglo saxon all the time,its not right, many countrys have done things wrong in the past not just English people, i have heard many racist remarks from all race and Australia do have there right for its Culture, if people don't like it bad luck, every country has there right of Culture in there country and why should you take it away from them but if you go to a country that have let you in you have to respect there countrys values or you will have people upset with you and the gov for leting you in, you do not go to any country and tell theam how to be or you will have people upset and people become racist, and Australia Culture not just about Footie, Booze thats just how much you know about us maybe multicultural hear is not working when i was a kid there was not many people from other contrys but Anglo Australians and Aborigines hear, Australia have to change ther ways with Aborigines i know, we have not taking there Culture away from them, we have made Australias Culture together we do not live like they do in England its is Australia way hear respect us And we will respect you and i am sure thats like any place on this planet.
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Nos :
24 Sep 2009 9:35:39am
Geez, you standup for saving anglo aussie culture and ignoring newer cultures however you write like you're from outa space. A typically example of why Australia needs to change.
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zaky :
01 Feb 2010 2:48:03am
Dear Wayne,
The issue is not that Anglo saxons to change their culture, but to accept others' cultures as is as long as it is not hurting any one, accept me as I am and I accept you as you are and then let us build this country together. I think if we all think this way we will all live in peace and harmony
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Just me :
12 Feb 2010 7:35:14pm
zaky, how far do we have to accept others cultures...so there is a mosque on every street?
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Random Guy :
15 Feb 2010 11:19:27pm
Wayne is just describing how most australians wrongly think they are accepting other races and respecting them. Yet racism is everywhere in Australia and Just me and acceptence of other races must improve in Australia where u will get 50 glances a second just because your skin colour is different
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lambert :
24 Oct 2010 12:51:27pm
Geez that's an Islamophobic rant!!
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Ram :
19 Sep 2009 5:23:53pm
I'm a South African of Indian descent who grew up under apartheid. If I have learnt anything about racism in an imperial society, it's that racism is essential in order to sustain the conquest and colonisation of this planet's territories. There is nothing particulary evil about racism...it works effectively in defending privilege. It's effects are economic and colonial governments are aware of its value in ensuring hegemoney.
Australia is a valuable piece of real estate. It has long served as lebensraum for Great Britian. I consequently don't believe that there can ever be any resolution of the resulting conflict those of non Anglo-Saxon/Celtic descent encounter. Australia will become increasing multi-racial but there will never be the cohesion that many evidently yearn for.
Not unless Australia reinvents herself in a non-colonial image and I can hardly see the majority imperial descended Australian wanting change.
Obviously there are a few thoughtful individuals..we have seen a few on here such as Kirsty below and the author and they are to be commended for standing by their convictions despite the odds.
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Fi :
08 Oct 2009 8:49:54pm
Ram you think that way because India itself has its own version of racism. Caste system much?
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anon :
09 Oct 2009 6:34:02am
Do you really think that because one country is mired in a dysfunctional past, that it then should prevent people of that cultural background to even comment?
Do you think that Australia should hold itself to countries who are struggling with racism or do you think it should hold itself to a higher standard?
That's your answer to this well-reasoned comment, "caste system much?"....to simply wave this person off because the author was of Indian descent and therefore cannot speak because India has a caste system?
This is why change never happens, people always compare themselves to someone who's an even bigger biggot and countries compare themselves to other countries with racism problems. With a little maturity, you might have learned something from that comment.
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loki :
22 Oct 2009 8:14:49pm
Fi
you have got no idea what the caste system is and why it was there.
yes it was misinterpreted by indian people and therefore defeated its purpose. Thus it failed and carries a negative image!
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Kirsty :
18 Sep 2009 2:09:43pm
I am a young Anglo Australian, living in Northern Queensland. I am a beginning teacher looking to instil respect, a valuing of diversity and responsibility to others in my future students. I came across this article in my search for media items to explore the problem of racism in our country, an assessment item I must complete to gain my qualification. There is change afoot, be it ever so frustratingly slow.
I have seen racism. I have heard racism. I have spoken against racism, even when it isolated me.
I grew up in a small town in the Gulf, as a long term (not fly by night) Anglo resident among a dominant population of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Island descent. I have knowledge that I value for this experience - knowledge of beautiful differences, of a culture where sharing is second nature, where age and experience is wisdom, and where identity is pride. I also have knowledge that I would rather not, that serious health problems affect even the young, that those who live long enough to have both age and wisdom are few, and that social ills (wrought from desperate circumstance and being robbed of identity within their own land)wreak havoc upon the lives of many.
I grew up as a minority. And I knew how lucky I was. The education system fitted with my Anglo background, I was able to model myself upon the dreams of my parents and grandparents, I was strong and healthy, in body and mind.
I grew up with the guilt that our government should have today. Institutional racism is rampant in this country. It is our national shame, that it seems all too easy to deny. As the author suggested, it is time that we "institutionalised" a program for schools and universities against racism. It is also time that governments started listening to (and acting upon) what Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people have to say. The "mainstream" is not the only stream, and we have much to learn from the many cultures that make up our nation today. My introduction for my students will be simple facts - Australia's people, the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, have been here for more than 40 000 years, and half of all Australians are either immigrants or have a parent born overseas. We ARE a multicultural nation, and we have the chance to be a model for the world. Unfortunately, I will also have to show them what we are doing wrong :-( . I am an Anglo Australian, but my pride comes from being an example of difference.
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Fi :
08 Oct 2009 8:51:35pm
Kirsty.. I can only hope that every person of Anglo background living in this country share your view. Please keep doing what you're doing :)
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VB :
18 Sep 2009 2:09:03pm
A lot of people seem to have a sterotypical view of Australians. There are so many people that love this countries multi cultralism and it isn't fair to draw attention to some bad experiences. Australians love when people from other countries come to Australia and embrace the culture. When people do that they are welcomed with open arms. It is the people that come from other countries and don't assimilate that people have problems with. One of my best mates is chinese, another is from Pakistan but they love this country and we love them for that.
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David :
19 Sep 2009 6:36:52pm
1,400 Indian students filed reports of being assaulted on racist grounds last year. There have been no charges.
Are suggesting these students are at fault because they failed to "assimilate" or "embrace the culture"? You are aware, I hope, that these students are under no such obligation. What is it, exactly, in a culture of racial violence you believe would be worthy of embracing by non-white visitors to Australia?
The Australian government is, however, obliged to ensure the safety of these students during their period of study. Police took over an hour to arrive at the assault of four Indian students in St Kilda the other day. The students were assaulted by a group of ten or more, depending on which report you put your faith in, and an even larger crowd cheering on.
I would also like to point out that these students are not immigrants, they are only visitors and, given their experience and those of others who have suffered the same, it is quite likely they will not take up citizenship in Australia ever.
How do you square these facts with your rationalisation? Or are they simply ignored as an inconvenience?
From a different perspective, perhaps Australia and Australians should remind themselves of how they have embraced the money these students bring to Australia. Foreign students studying in Australia is, after all, Australia's third biggest money spinner. Something those "stereotypical" Australians should reconsider the next time they let their primitive emotions and bigotry get the better of them. They should, but I doubt they ever will. And the one to suffer the most because of it will not be these many students who spend their money in Australia in exchange for a safe, secure and credible education, or even those that have not "assimilated" or "embraced the Australian culture"... it will be Australia itself.
It already has been for a long time now.
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VB :
21 Sep 2009 12:46:29pm
The comments you made are right. There are too many cases of people being assualted and abused on account of race. I do not claim that it was their fault for failing to assimilate I am simply saying that Australians are on the whole very accepting people and it is when migrants come to Australia and refuse to learn the language and be a part of Australian life that many Aussies have a problem.
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shelly :
10 Jan 2010 2:23:58am
VB you may not be aware that all migrants as well as students (excluding refugees) sit for an English exam (Reading, listening, writing and speaking) before they land in Australia and have to score a minimum score which I am sure many Aussies won't get.
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Just me :
12 Feb 2010 7:27:26pm
Good point Shelly.
Everyone on this forum seems to have a good grasp of English to begin with, even the young teenagers...also, most here will suggest that there are many Australians who will embrace other people/cultures who display pleasant attitudes and personalities.
You suggest some Australians are illiterate and stupid...well, maybe THEY are the ones who are showing the severe signs of discrimination and ignorance for whatever reason?
Have you ever been to a shopping centre in the outer suburbs? There's plenty of white trash who show no or little respect for other people of any colour. Unfortunately Western society seems hell-bent on protecting the stupid and worthless.
Either way, there are many people from all walks of life that need to clean up their attitude towards other people.
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lambert :
24 Oct 2010 12:59:38pm
Whoa!! You just re-invented yourself!! Congratulations :-)
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Fidel :
17 Sep 2009 12:57:37pm
Born in Australia from mediterranian backround I have darker skin than the average anglo/celt. My early school years (under a Menzies racist regime) was full of racist taunts & much peer segregation. As a young adult during the early Whittlam years, opportunities were not presented to me in the corporate world as it was for peers with a anglo/celt heritage even tho I was perhaps more qualified for positions on offer. In the 80's & 90's, we began to notice a little more opportunity and acceptance in the corp world and also in Govt sectors. From 2000, its back to the bad old days where racists taunts are in full force - a result of the Howard years, I believe.
Australia's racism is not so much towards ethnicity & cultural differences more so towards 'skin colour'. Its focus is not just on indigenous Aussies but also dark skinned people from asia, far-east, europe & south americas.
Proof is everywhere; we never see dark skinned people host popular TV shows, appear in advertisements or fill Executive positions in aussie corporations or in Govt. The message we as aussies receive daily is that Australia is for lighter skinned people.
Australia is truely still shamefully 'White Australia'
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Just me :
12 Feb 2010 7:15:47pm
Ex Telstra CEO Sol Trujillo is not a white person and was quite happy to walk away with a multi million dollar handshake just after how long in office?
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She'll Be Wrong :
21 Apr 2010 3:34:34pm
Sol Trujillo is not a white person? Really? Now, what's your definition of "white"? Please, explain...
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LL :
13 Sep 2009 12:52:02am
I must add that NO ONE stood up for us even though it was clear for all to see that the mother was being unreasonable. Do Aussies find it too shameful to stand up for justice for another ethnic group other than their own? Tear down the walls . . .
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David :
19 Sep 2009 6:52:51pm
"I must add that NO ONE stood up for us even though it was clear for all to see that the mother was being unreasonable."
And this is the cold, cowardly heart of Australian racism. By not standing up for you they offer silent agreement with the woman's action and are thus complicit in her behaviour. She knows it and is emboldened by it.
But when it comes to ideals that are not in confrontationally infront of their face, as this was, and is well beyond their immediate experience -- global warming, nuclear arms, even the Dalai Lama -- that's when many Australians will be strongly and courageously vocal, assured and vindicated by their moral righteousness, deluding themselves into thinking they are in a rarified lofty place well above the stench and cruelty of injustice's rabble. It's safer that way as there are unlikely to be repercussions.
"Justice" thus becomes empty and hollow and little more than a pretentious fashion statement or a latté lifestyle decision.
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LL :
13 Sep 2009 12:40:38am
My group of friends and myself were racially abused today at river fest (Brisbane). Southbank was packed to the brim, and it's only normal if there isn't any room to move about.
This brash and rude Aussie mother shouted at us. "You guys are F***ing rude! Move away from here. You're blocking the way, and beacuse of that people are banging into my baby's cot." Who in his/her right mind will put a baby cot in the walkway?!
She continued "no wonder no one likes you, you should just go back to your F***ing country." All these was said in front of her young kids, who also joined in the taunts (quite funny actually).
Not wanting to stoop to her level, we decided to just ignore her. They started to throw small objects at us when our backs were facing them.
Again, we choose to let it slide. We didn't want one racist mother to spoil our evening! We could have engaged in a verbal confrontation, but choose not to.
I feel really sad for her. She's doing herself a disservice by behaving in such a backward and childish manner infront of her kids. Not surprisingly, they were the only ones that were outwardly racist. Everyone around us, Aussies, Indians, Chinese, all had a good time together. All smiles around us.
This indicdent is by far the worst that I've ever came across. I don't know if racism will ever be kicked out of Australia with parents imparting racist ideals to their kids.
My friend psyco analysed her behaviour and mentioned that people who are outwardly less appealing tend to be frustrated and need to 'bully' someone just to build up their ego and security. In essence to pretend to be tough by talking tough. They're just broken inside.
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Syed :
11 Sep 2009 9:45:41am
Fight Against Racism
The following scene took place on a BA flight between Johannesburg and London. A white woman, about 50 years old, was seated next to a black man. Obviously disturbed by this, she called the air Hostess.
"Madam, what is the matter," the hostess asked. "You obviously do not see it then?" she responded. "You placed me next to a black man. I do not agree to sit next to someone from such a repugnant group. Give me an alternative seat."
Be calm please," the hostess replied. "Almost all the places on this flight are taken. I will go to see if another place is available."
The Hostess went away and then came back a few minutes later.
Madam, just as I thought, there are no other available seats in the economy class. I spoke to the captain and he informed me that there is also no seat in the business class. All the same, we still have one place in the first class."
Before the woman could say anything, the hostess continued: It is not usual for our company to permit someone from the economy class to sit in the first class. However, given the circumstances, the captain feels that it would be scandalous to make someone sit next to someone so disgusting."
She turned to the black guy, and said, "Therefore, Sir, if you would like to, please collect your hand luggage, a seat awaits you in first class."
At that moment, the other passengers who were shocked by what they had just witnessed stood up and applauded.
Fight against Racism.
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Jana :
01 Sep 2009 9:54:43am
I am 15 and i am from nz, and many people tease me about where i come from and its mainly australians. My dad is black so everyone says my dad is nigger which i find highly offencive,, i am currently liveing in australia and i do not like to tollerate this kind of behaviour. From my point of view australians think they are better then everyone else, when they arnt,,, they like to brag about themselfs australia isnt the best country around i mean like god.
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mark :
29 Aug 2009 11:53:47pm
There is indeed racism in Australia and a lot more recently than many care to admit. Much of this rise recently is due to Pauline Hanson who did her best to play on people's emotions and fears. She did a good job of just about demonisning anyone who wasn't white. If you take the time to have a look you'll notice that the people she singled out were Aboriginal, Asians, Africans. Muslims etc all of who are not your old idea of an average run of the mill white Anglo Saxon!
Think about it.
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Tom :
13 Aug 2009 9:04:35pm
Im dissapointed to see all these comments on how australia is racist
look at yourself
are you not being racist to Australians by discriminating the minority of australia that is racist?
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David :
29 Aug 2009 12:51:41am
Tom: "... are you not being racist to Australians by discriminating the minority of australia that is racist?"
This point of view is so disturbingly distorted but illustrates perfectly the kind of racism in denial that Australia is afflicted with.
Your assumption that only a minority of Australians are racist may provide you with a rationalisation to ease your conscience with but it is plain, flat wrong. Racism is endemic on all levels of Australian society and it permeates throughout the entire culture.
If you are so certain this is not true perhaps you should ask some of your many indigenous Australian friends, if you have any, for their opinions. You may be surprised to find that to them the context of their lives is not due to the semiotic interpretation of the colour of their skin as determined by what you call a "minority," but rather an all pervasive and institutionalised discrimination. The UN recently had something to say about that.
Furthermore, to say that it is discrimination to call out racism, and that to do so is itself racist, is a logical absurdity and intellectually impotent -- reductio ad absurdum.
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Tom :
08 Sep 2009 7:45:58pm
Well i being "indigenous Australian" don't share your point of view
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Dee Dee :
14 Sep 2009 1:00:41pm
Tom, so your an "indigenous Australian". Is that "indigenous" because you were born in Australia or are you "Indigenous" because you have Australian Aboriginal ancenstry. If it is the first then that is a misuse of the word indigenous. If it is the latter then I'm totally confused with your comment. As an "Aboriginal" Australian & descendant of the "Ngarigo" people my opinion is based on reflection of my life & that of my Aboriginal friends & family. "AUSTRALIA IS A RACIST NATION". Its not the racist minority that worry me, its the "majority" of supposed "good Australians" who say or do nothing about it. END RACISM NOW & LIGHT UP THE DARKNESS.
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David :
19 Sep 2009 5:53:45pm
Tom
I believe Dee Dee to be the real deal. You, however, I do not.
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bernard :
11 Aug 2009 12:08:50am
australia is racist
im jewish and i spent one week in sidney after visiting relatives in nz, and it was one of the worst places ive been to. its disgusting
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Vin :
23 Sep 2009 4:13:41pm
so true, come to canada, it's non-racist for the most part....much more non-racist than australia
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Michael :
29 Oct 2009 2:29:17am
I find your comment rather disgusting in itself, Australia is one of the most multicultural nations on earth. There is an unfortunate element of racism in the minds of many people, I believe that the majority of people here are very accepting - particularly the younger generations. Having traveled to and spent a great deal of time in other countries, i think that racism is persistent everywhere and to single out Australia as 'disgusting' after spending one week in Sydney (one of the most ethnically diverse cities in the world) is misinformed.
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shelly :
10 Jan 2010 2:33:07am
bringing in people from different backgrounds is multiculturalism but it does not mean that you are tolerant too...multiculturalism was economy driven not that australia ever wanted blacks, browns etc here. Copied USA in following the immigration path, cant give equal rights....all is in papers...universities have carried out research how Xi Wen or Inder Singh will have to keep sending their resumes more than times of what John Smith would do. Of course, WE ARE NOT RACISTS
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Just me :
12 Feb 2010 7:03:34pm
How do you know Inder? I work with him...
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VY :
09 Aug 2009 2:43:35am
Australia is racist. For those who don't see it, please take a closer look in the mirror, you may be white. I've been here for only a month and god, I definitely would not live here.
What if the next day all non-whites were to disappear along with their money and services. A total collapse of the oz economy.
Aussie's need to change.
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david :
06 Aug 2009 12:39:05pm
Teen avoids jail after man dies over $10 bet
Posted Mon Aug 3, 2009 11:14am AEST
Updated Mon Aug 3, 2009 11:47am AEST
A 19-year-old man who pleaded guilty to the manslaughter of a Chinese student has avoided an immediate jail term.
Engineering student Yuxiong Han was walking home from work in Forest Hill, east of Melbourne, in July last year, when he was attacked by two young men.
Han, 21, ran across Canturbury Road to escape them and was hit by a car and killed.
The Victorian Supreme Court heard 19-year-old Aaron James Toal had made a $10 bet with a friend to hit Mr Han as a joke.
Justice Stephen Kaye said Toal's crime was a thoughtless prank and it was cowardly and disgraceful.
He said Toal's 21-year-old victim had only been in Australia three months before the fatal accident.
But he said he was satisfied that race was not a factor in Toal's offending.
He sentenced Toal to a two-year community-based order with 500 hours of community work.
http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2009/08/03/2644100.htm
There are two points of great concern here.
1. The levity of the sentence – 500 hours of community work.
2. That Justice Kaye is “satisfied that race was not a factor.”
Race may not have been a factor as far as the Justice is concerned but I assure you that to the dead young man it was. This is why he ran.
Two white guys threateningly approach a sole Chinese guy in the dead of night and we’re supposed to believe this was not racially motivated.
A young Chinese man is now dead after his first three months in Australia. And for this the perpetrator gets 500 hours of community work; a mere slap on the wrist.
Way to go Australia. Denial has a new geographic home.
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Observer :
16 Dec 2009 4:20:49am
Covert racism is probably worse than its overt form. It corrodes the moral fiber of a "civilized" nation.
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spikey :
03 Aug 2009 12:34:05am
Filipino sacked for un-australian toilet habits
A man who uses water instead of toilet paper says he was sacked for his "un-Australian" toilet habits.
Amador Bernabe, 43, is a machine operator in Townsville on a working visa from the Philippines, the Townsville Bulletin reports.
On Thursday, he claims his foreman followed him into the bathrooms questioning his toilet hygiene.
Mr Bernabe said his employer, Townsville Engineering Industries (TEI), sacked him yesterday for not going to the toilet the Australian way.
"I went to go to the toilet and I took a bottle of water when my foreman saw me and he said, 'you can't bring the water in there'," Mr Bernabe said.
The foreman followed Mr Bernabe into the toilet despite his protests.
"I said it's my personal hygiene. I didn't break any law, I didn't break any rules of the company, why can't I do this, and he said he would report me to the manager.
The next day, Mr Bernabe says he was called into the manager's office.
"He asked me what had happened and I explained to him and he said if I didn't follow the Australian way I would be immediately terminated and I said 'sir, then you better terminate me'."
The move has angered union bosses and politicians on the Australia Day weekend.
Australian Manufacturing Worker's Union state organiser Rick Finch said the incident was shocking.
"I think it is atrocious, an invasion of a person's rights and cultural beliefs," he said.
"If it wasn't so disgusting it would almost be laughable."
Greens spokeswoman Jenny Stirling praised Mr Bernabe for standing up for his rights.
"I commend the man for standing up for himself and I encourage the employer to have further talks with the union and the employee and I am sure commonsense will prevail," she said.
"I would like to see how Australians feel when they go to Europe where in places they don't have toilet paper."
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Emily :
27 Jul 2009 11:07:25am
Wow. I have to admit i was shocked to hear all of these comments about how racist Australians are. Im an australian myself, so are my parents and my parents parents, and so on. I personally do not see racism in my community, or in Australia. Maybe i'm standing to close to the picture to see it, but every country has racists - Australia is no exception. And all these comments about us being lazy and rude, i'm truly sorry for you. Most Australians are great honest hardworking people. Please don't completely judge us on what a couple idiots do when their away from home.
I love Australia, and i love australians. I also love meeting people from other cultures, and seeing how they live. I'm not prejudiced, and i have no problems speaking out against racism when it happens. I am sad to hear that so many people think of us that way, when i bet most of you havnt been to Australia? Those of you that have, and still hate it, I'm sorry. I'm sorry you can't see the Australia that i can. I'm sorry that you are targeted for racism, or the Australians you know are wankers.
But i love Australia, and i will always love Australia. I hope that you all will some day love it too.
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K :
30 Jul 2009 2:50:37pm
I am an Australian citizen and been here for about 10 years. Believe me when I say this, that this country has got worse every year!
Still... we have to respect our country...don't we? There are things that, we ALL don't like; there are THOSE people who WILL ALWAYS terrorise, be racial, stingy and the worst bit about people here, is that, THEY ARE THE BEST PEOPLE IN THE PLANET TO LIE... I can't imagine how people are so SHAMELESS to just keep giving lies after lies!
I understand from your comments, that, you were born and raised here, which is the MAIN POINT we need to focus first. You see... we people MIGRATED here for a BETTER LIFE or maybe to START A NEW LIFE. Also, please don't make the mistake of indicating that, we're ALL "IDIOTS" because we have NOT BEEN to Australia and still commenting on "racism". For your INFORMATION, WE ALL HAVE visited Australia, been observant and commenting!
BEFORE YOU ABUSE, TRY TO LEARN AND BE COOPERATIVE TO PEOPLE AND UNDERSTAND WHERE THEY COME FROM. This is a RACIAL attitude!
When a person's BORN & raised in Australia, they will NEVER EVER understand the pain or the feelings a MIGRANT would have. This is where people like you use words like, "idiot" and other ABUSIVE language. You have no sense or feelings to care!
This had upset me and please refrain from using such language, because you've already shown that, you have "the element of racism" in you!!!!
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Aussie :
01 Sep 2009 7:10:53pm
Perhaps you should have read what K said properly. he/she was not calling you an idiot or migrants idiots. I am Australian. I hate racism. I do hear and see it. We are not all racist however. I personally think that every nation has people that are racist towards others. It does not mean that every person from that nation is racist. It is not a problem solved overnight, but we can all do our little part in helping prevent it. You called K racist but in anger did not read what he/she wrote correctly. ANGER only generates more anger which generates more racism.
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David :
19 Sep 2009 5:51:44pm
Just a few days ago four indian students were assaulted in St Kilda in Melbourne. Reports vary, but outside of Australia some have said these students were beaten up by 10 to possibly 15 drawing a crowd of 15 to as many as 70 cheering on the barbarity.
Police took over one hour to arrive on the scene. They were obviously in no hurry. Once there, the racist taunts continued.
In the past few months over 1,400 foreign students have been assaulted; all of them claiming to be racially motivated assaults. And yet, despite the number and the claim, there has not been one single arrest.
Protests that say all Australians are not racist are tepid and feeble. The evidence is clear enough that racism is not necessarily a matter of individual choice but of cultural indoctrination and hegemony. This is precisely what racism is in Australia.
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David :
04 Aug 2009 1:38:20pm
I am also an Australian, first generation. My parents were from Europe. Second choice immigrants when Australia could not entice sufficiently enough Brits to meet the quota. But at least they were white and the Australia of that time sought whites only.
I spent the first half of my life there. I saw my older brothers came home, bruised and bloodied, from another day at school. I have heard the names called out to my parents from passing car windows.
I have since relocated outside of the country and I now have a Chinese wife. I had met her in Hong Kong and we were married in Melbourne. Our best man was a Hong Kong policeman. He was assaulted in Swanston Street in 1998. He passed a man in the street who, out of the blue, shattered his cheekbone. His only crime was that he is Chinese.
I have witnessed, first-hand, the treatment of my wife. I have heard the names shouted at her from passing car windows, I have seen the menacing and ignorant graffiti written on walls directed at her, and I have seen how she has been ignored and lied to when waiting for a table in a cafe or for service at a counter. The assumption that we should have any association with each other, much less be married, never crosses their minds, at least that is, until I speak up.
Speaking up is something I found myself doing often, not only in her defense, but to speak up and stand up for the rights of Asian students offhandedly treated and condescendingly dismissed by the institutions they had paid a small fortune to attend.
We no longer live in Australia if only because of this racism, and the violence that accompanies it, that permeates the culture on all levels.
I always knew the racism was there. It was already there in the schoolyard. I also knew the violence was there. That too was all too frequent in the schoolyard. I don't know how any Australian could not be aware of it unless perhaps, as you say, they are too close to it. So close to it their heads are buried neck deep in it.
As I always say and still say today, Australia is a beautiful country. It's a pity about the people.
As a Maori friend once told me, Australia suffers from the worst kind of racism. The kind that pretends it isn't.
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denise :
08 Oct 2009 4:21:33pm
Australia needs to start getting polite. Maybe they dont mean to be mean about, but they are tactless and thats shameful. They should put themselves in a black person/asian person/hispanic persons position, and just imagine w white aussie calling him a "spic" or "mudley" or "wog"....would you laugh back at that? or would you feel a tad neglected?
Think about it.
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Pisser :
05 Aug 2009 1:44:08am
Perhaps you don't see it because Anglo Aussies look after each other. My every move detects a racial act from Anglos. I've tried to sort things out for years, but there is just no end to your psychological problems.
Therefore I refuse to socialise with Anglos, as I know you are only after money, and to damage the psyche of a person.
Apologies if i seem racist to Anglos, but it all started from you, and I have sworn to avoid socilising with you till the rest of my life.
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Observer :
16 Dec 2009 4:27:48am
Unfortunately you are not the only one around with that experience. However, it is still unfair to blame all Anglos just because of a few rotten apples in the barrel.
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Observer :
16 Dec 2009 4:23:03am
It is probably because of people like you that Australia will one day become the truly tolerant nation it is destined to be.
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shelly :
10 Jan 2010 2:36:04am
most of people who have commented live here and you are white australian thz why you never suffered racism. think about some black kids or gals with hijaab at your school? how were they treated?
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Just me :
12 Feb 2010 6:54:18pm
As a white Australian I have suffered racism in both taunts and attitude from immigrants from the sub continent waiting for their PR and physical assault from white and European. Even though I've been bottled by a Leb (24 stitches in my nose), I dont label the act racist. Its this culture as a whole which is obnoxious, insincere and does not care about the person next to them. Regarding copping crap from Indian/Sri Lankin, I just say 'pfft, whatever, d*ickhead'.
The general attitude of Australians leaves a lot to be desired yet it cant always be labelled racism.
@ David, it has been proved time and again that many of the attacks on these Indians are by people of all cultures and colours yet this isnt stipulated in the media and so everyone's natural assumption is it must be an act of the 'vanilla face'.
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Stephen :
16 Sep 2010 9:41:54am
Emily, i was born in Taiwan in 76 and migrated to Oz when i was only 2 months old. Believe me, the amount of crap that i copped as a child throughout my school years was unimaginable. I love Australia, because i've been here my whole life, but, just letting you know that there are quite alot of racism in this country, even if you don't see it. I'm not saying all Aussies are racist, because i have alot of Aussie mates and they are great people. Just take more notice around you and you will see it.
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John :
12 Jul 2009 9:02:57pm
Australians, and I am an Australian are very racist. pure and simple. I didnt expect Kevin Rudd to change anything. He is a bureaucrat not a leader. Certainly not a visionary. It can be certainly seen by his appointments that he has no courage, no honour, and no integrity. But at least he isnt John Howard.
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Dublin :
08 Jul 2009 9:39:32am
I work with a few Australians and new Zealands here,they are rude,lazy,ignorant and shameless..They don't even dare to ask even for the smallest thing so that they can save their money...I am not surprised to hear that they are so bad in their own country..
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Ireland :
08 Jul 2009 9:35:33am
Australians and New Zealands lazy professionals here in Ireland. I am not surprise them being so racist. Even when they are in another country they still could speak in public against another race. Funny living creature!!!
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Kimmy :
09 Oct 2009 8:59:29pm
You guys are full of it.
FYI I worked in an investment bank which had a high percentage of people from all over the world, including Brits, Irish, Indian, Japanese, Chinese, South African, Fijian and Australians.
There were lazy people from every race. There were people more interested in drinking than working from every race. There were also dedicated workers from ever race. Its human nature, not race based!!
Also, the second in charge was a chinese immigrant from Fiji, and he was in that position because he was a good worker, not based on where he was from.
If you are looking for racism as an excuse you are going to find it everywhere. Its not always the case.
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Ireland :
08 Jul 2009 9:32:40am
Afterall the Australian know that the Indians could rule over them at some stage,thats why they are so racist against them. Every Indians there in Australia must move on and don't be scared,because you all have the brain to dig the Gold. Remember Mahatma Gandhi Ji.
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Zaky :
28 Jun 2009 7:49:23am
I lived in Australia for about 3 years, I agree with the wrtiter.Imagine someone left very good job in his country, beloved people and paid a lot of money (could be his life savings) to migrate to the new dream land “Australia” and find himself facing a White Man Culture,which means "jobs are for white people only", and he has to accept that he is a 2nd level citizen all his life , people could smile at your face but hate you being there at your back .
For me, I went back to my own country after losing a lot of money in this journey , I loved and still love Australia as a very nice place to live in, but I couldn’t live there feeling I am not wanted for jobs or sometimes from some racists people, and sometimes I feel that in the media.
Put yourself in my shoes, I am educated as an Engineer and when I came to Australia I only found Taxi Driver as a job and when I came back to my country I could easily get an IT Project Manager with very good pay and work conditions, what do you think the reason of treatment difference in both countries ?.
At the end of the day, it is Australia who accepted other races to be there, so it is the government responsibility to encourage and teach people to live together in harmony, stop the media pickings on some races in Australia.
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Sean Wright :
27 Jun 2009 7:15:37pm
I have lived in Australia since I was 4yrs old.
I was the typical little pommy bastard. that was how the Australians used to refer to me. I got over it and intergrated into the community with a few hiccups. In my adolesence years i lived and drank and played with our local Koorie(Aboriginal)people.I have never meet a more predjudice people. the Koories are the most out spoken racist community that exsit today in Australia. Don't believe me just ask them! They will tell you straight that this is their country and theirs alone go home white man. Bad news for them I am HOME. Do not get me wrong i love all races as I belong to none. I am an Australian
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Dee Dee :
14 Sep 2009 1:24:36pm
They were only telling the truth & revealing their anger & frustration at how they & their ancestors have been so heinously treated by the "white man".
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Kanda :
26 Jun 2009 7:57:06am
I arrived in Australia when I was 18 and i am now 55
In that period I have experience racism in mu environment, being excluded socially from groups , Racism in the work place in numerous jobs , being spat on a bus. Racism in the press.the last 35 years of my residence in this country . The politicians are somewhat responsible because they fueled the fire as mentioned in your article. There are not enough sufficient programs to curb racism
A silent racism exists in which the ethnic is marginalized they dont say it to your face , but they exclude you as being out of sync with the mainsream.
The Indian students as a collective have felt the impact and have protested. Soon the world community will start recognizing the realty if nothing is done and it will have an impact on the economy because as we seek to do business with other country's they will in turn exclude Australians which will have an effect on the GDP
Or when an Australian steals a bar mat from venue
rather then get away as a minor . They will arrest you because in their minds of the local police will be "These racist Aussies" lets teach them.
It is a duty of every Australian to reeducate themselves for the racism in their hearts ,bring down the dividing walls, every migrant who comes here does so in good faith to make a better life and to contribute their skills and life to this country . The fascist nationalist Australian would like you to think differently
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XXX :
17 Jun 2009 11:15:46pm
2009.
Racism in Australia is on a very high level. Even officials are racists towards ethnics. They always look for clues of how to backstab a person and drive them into a hole.
I'm so embarrased by our police and justice system who always condemns innocent ethics. I am one of them.
The media? They are even worse. Every aussie character is portrayed as good, and wogs are the bad ones i.e. they silence the truths about the wrongdoings of their convict aussies.
Racism in this country is encouraged. If you think it is not, you havent been out of your backyard. It is also very much silenced, and if you speak up, you know what will await you: DEATH.
I live with death threats every day, by my fellow convict aussies. Why has this happened? I've guessed many times, but one thing is for sure: they hate wogs. They don't want to mix with us, and if they do, watch out for your back!
I don't want them around. I've seen many bad things from them. Them and me, end of story. Never want to know another convict aussie in my private time. And every day I feel bad that I have to work with them, and swallow bitterness. There is just no way with them.
Very dissapointed in Convict Aussies
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Cricket :
18 Jun 2009 10:10:20am
I am also very disappointed - in this post, which again indulges in the same sweeping generalisations that racists are noted for. One can only surmise that XXX is racist against Australians descended from convicts.
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Fakename :
05 Aug 2009 6:47:47pm
Your An idiot if you don't think that Australia is racist, racism in Australia is everywhere we look
btw do you have a life?
the amount youve commented this page
looooser
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Dani :
15 Nov 2009 5:06:28pm
Yes Australia is racist, but what country isn't?
You cant blame people for thinking Australia isn't racist due to the media, they have a wonderful talent of shifting the blame, think of it like advertising you wouldnt call someone an idiot because they thought something was good due to the fact that they were only told about the good aspect of it right?
and also, racism in australia is a very touchy topic, people having extreamly differnt veiws, thus it is acceptable and completely reasonable for someone to comment as much as they want, atleast their comments hold up the debate while they voice their oppinions so yes they have a life because even though they are commenting atleast they arnt calling people losers for somthing they obviously feel strongly about... huh, thats funny kinda reminded me of what people have been saying Australians do. Of course im not saying the comment was racist, but seriously dont go bagging on someone else when your no better
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brenton :
19 Jun 2009 8:34:16pm
I lived in England for a while and as an Australian abeit a first gen but anglo australian i was constantly hit with steriotype and called bruce to which I had to ask if I was another colour would you still call me Bruce, it seems we are now a pariah to every bigot out there
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Bemused :
11 Jun 2009 8:14:33pm
Try Googling "Man attacked" in Australia and you get 77 pages in response. Over 700 results.
When you begin to scroll through the results pages there are a handful of results that mention 'Indian Man'. Most of them are links to the Sydney Morning Herald.
The number of results for "Man Attacked" are obviously only generated by postings on websites and do not accurately reflect the actual number of assaults on men in Australia. Multiply 700 odd by several hundred more.
I didn't bother to do a search on "Woman Attacked" because the Temporary Internet File on my PC would have probably had a meltdown and frozen my whole system.
No doubt I'd have had results that showed 'Indian Woman' in the search. But I'll bet that there would have been far fewer in that category than 'Indian Man'.
The cultural mysogyny of the sub-continent limits women from the lower-middle class and middle class to the role of waiting for the arranged marriage.
Once they have been procured and put on the plane to relieve their family of its burden they then become an underclass, transposed from the country of their birth to become an underclass in this country.
It would be more relevant to our society if the so called debate were to concnetrate on the largely unreported and far more insidious repression and violence on all women, regardless of their origin.
Perhaps I wasn't watching the TV closely enough, but I didn't see any Indian Women voicing their outrage over the recent media driven furore.
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shelly :
10 Jan 2010 2:42:47am
they get attacked verbally by white women...and this is not reported.
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putraj :
10 Jun 2009 11:11:30pm
Probably all Australians may not be racist. However it is a fact there is a considerable number of Australians who indulge in this despite protests from various countries. One feels those responsible surely must be the decendents of the criminals who were deported from England in 18th Century when the penal colony was established in Australia
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Cricket :
15 Jun 2009 2:18:13pm
"One feels those responsible (for racism in Australia) must be the descendents of the criminals who were deported from England..."
Do you see nothing inherently racist in this stupid remark?
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Groucho :
15 Jun 2009 11:00:50pm
Be warned putraj,Cricket is the site expert on racism,(with a minor degree in hypocrisy).
He has only just joined this blog (under the Cricket label,that is),despite being heavily qualified.
By the way Cricket,If I wore your shoes I would NOT be highlighting other peoples "alleged" racist comments.
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Cricket :
16 Jun 2009 1:02:02pm
As usual, Groucho, you are completely misrepresentative.
My first post to this blog was 13 days ago - you even responded to it. So you are either mistaken or lying with the statement "he has only just joined this blog".
And so far you've not provided any evidence for your accusations against me of racism, and blogging here under another name. I gave you plenty of opportunities to do so on the illegal immigration discussion, but you wouldn't step up. Perhaps you will find the intestinal fortitude to do so now? Remember, the accusation isn't enough. You must provide definitive proof.
This is a requirement that also escapes Bruce Haigh. It's pathetically easy - and also completely irresponsible - to throw accusations of racism around without proof. The references to "quiet soundings at social gatherings" and "varying degrees of official tolerance" and the unenlightened past are not proof.
An aborigine dying in the back of a prison van is not evidence of racism. It's evidence of criminal neglect, perhaps. The Pacific Solution did not target people on the basis of their race, just their legal status. Mohammed Haneef was arrested not because of his race, but because of his suspected involvement in terrorism. It is Haigh's OPINION that these policies and incidents indicate racism, it is not a proven fact.
Indeed, none of Haigh's article constitutes proof for his disgusting, sweeping statement that Australia is a racist country. That it was racist in the past, like every other country on the planet, is not in dispute. That racists and racism exist in Australia, as they do in every other country on the planet, is not in dispute. But the notion that Australia is racist today has no basis in proven fact. If Australia is racist on the basis of Haigh's argument, then every country on the planet is also racist. Where are his accusations against every other country on the planet?
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sebastian caramanga :
26 Jan 2010 8:15:32am
@Cricket; It's not fair to day that Australia is not a racist country based on a handful of civilized Aussies.
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Eliot Ramsey :
09 Jun 2009 1:55:50pm
I was amused to see the usual suspects from Socialist Alternative trying to hi-jack an anti-racism protest organised by Indian students in Sydney over the weekend.
But watch them drop this cause when the cultural background of the Sydney attackers becomes better known to the public....
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Paul Power, Refugee Council :
09 Jun 2009 9:34:22am
It was a surprise to read that Bruce Haigh believes that Refugee Week “died under Howard”. Refugee Week is far from dead and will be celebrated in cities and towns across Australia next week, from June 14 to 20.
Refugee Week was an initiative of Austcare in NSW in 1986 and has been celebrated nationally since 1988. It is now coordinated by the Refugee Council of Australia and coincides with the United Nations’ celebration of World Refugee Day on June 20.
Since its beginnings, Refugee Week has always been a community-based celebration and has not relied on the sponsorship or patronage of the Federal Government to continue.
While political interest in refugees may wax and wane, community interest doesn’t. Refugee Week is a celebration of the contribution of the 740,000 former refugees who have made Australia their home over the past century, as well as an opportunity to remember the millions of people around the world forced from their homes by persecution and conflict.
Bruce would be welcome at any of the dozens of Refugee Week events currently being advertised on the Refugee Council website - www.refugeecouncil.org.au
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Cricket :
16 Jun 2009 1:05:09pm
Facts like this would get in the way of Haigh's argument, Paul. It's easier for him to lie about the event "dying" under Howard.
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Call me old-fashioned :
08 Jun 2009 9:07:03am
I believe that in Australia and the United States so-called "minorities" - both due to said racism and its related designation to the societal "observer" realm - are learning and evolving at a significantly faster rate than the "dominant" cultures.
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graeme :
08 Jun 2009 10:47:00am
Well der.
Colonial cultures that exploit stolen lands and resources have a head start.
So what is your point?
I will not call you old fashioned, I'll call you white supremist.
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Call me old-fashioned :
09 Jun 2009 7:30:40am
That's truly the farthest from my intention.
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graeme :
09 Jun 2009 3:08:18pm
Sorry Cmof......was a bit harsh of me.
My point is however, that the colonial cultures of Australia and the US, are, on a per capita basis, the most unsustainable ones.
That much we know.
We build veneer houses ready for land-fill before the mortgage is paid out, we guzzle non renewable resources, on coal fired electricity, we measure success by relative prosperity, and rather than seek converts to our "progressive?" measures of learning and evolving, we need to reconsider ourselves.
Ultimately, in my opinion, it is this belief in our superiority of "evolution" that is causal. So, I wasn't so much personalising at you, but more so, at our cultural norms.
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mh :
08 Jun 2009 8:54:33am
There would be no racism in Australia if the White australia policy was still intact. Less crime too.
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DocMercury :
08 Jun 2009 12:04:58pm
Yeah, as long as immigration was stopped from Europe and elsewhere before even Ned Kelly's parents got here.
Europeans are real angels, if you don't count the poisoners, thieves, rapists, tyrants and their kindred lowlifes.
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graeme :
09 Jun 2009 3:19:08pm
mh
assuming of course that more colonial settlers had taken the advice of Neil Black, in Western Victoria, 1839, speaking about how to become a squatter......
"The best way is to go outside and take up a new run, provided the conscience of the party is sufficiently seared to enable him without remorse to slaughter natives right and left. It is universally and distinctly understood that the chances are very small indeed of a person taking up a new run being able to maintain possession of his place and property without having recourse to such means -- sometimes by wholesale..."
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DannyS :
09 Jun 2009 8:00:59pm
If the White Australia policy had never been removed I'm thinking that if there weren't groups of either swarthy, asian, brown, black people to be prejudiced against then white Australians would have started making other divisions of the populace.
Some people just can't see past the humanity and equality of those around them when the going gets tough and they feel the need to blame society's less attractive aspects on "them!" Whoever "they" might be.
Crime escalates when people are alienated and denigrated and consequently have no sense of belonging to the broader structure of society. Why would they obey its rules?
Then there are the crimes of the oppressors against the oppressed.
Who can ever forget the landmark documentary where people with a certain eye colour were given licence to treat others with a different eye colour as virtually subhuman and without any rights? And they did. They behaved abominably.
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Thrid Party :
10 Jun 2009 10:20:18am
Even with White Policy the Anglo-saxons were discriminating other white people in Australia, who were more Nordic than them!!!
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DocMercury ®:
10 Jun 2009 12:57:34pm
Or too Irish.
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Alicej :
10 Jun 2009 2:56:21pm
Problemmmn, what would be do with the first Australians having usurped their country ?
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ant :
08 Jun 2009 5:21:49am
There are racists in Australia. There are racists in any country, though they are always a small group, usually badly educated and in the lower socio-economic levels -but not always. Australians are not as racist as the Japanese but almost as racist as the French. Only racists could have done what the French did to those Pacific atolls and the people who had inhabited them. The Japanese, as a nation, simply believe they are superior to every other race. Which certainly simplifies things. Sol Trujillo got a bloody nose trying to turn Australia into America. Tsk, tsk. He shouldn't feel bad: others have also tried and failed. Whe he says backward he means(shock, horror) social democratic.
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graeme :
08 Jun 2009 10:51:31am
ant
what twaddle.
If only a small amount of racists exist in all countries, how can you then state categorically things about whole nations?
How can you reconcile your comments about Australia with the illegal invasion of this country, based on anglo-saxon supremism?
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ant :
08 Jun 2009 3:34:13pm
graeme I didn't say there was a small amount of racism, I said there were a small number of racists in any given country, and this is true. But unfortunately, sometimes these people are given a public platform, as Pauline Hanson was, and sometimes people need to believe racist ideas, as in America, where white plantation owners convinced themselves that enslaving people from Africa wasn't a sin because Africans weren't really human. Racism is complex and has many meanings- some cultural, some economic, some sexual and historical. I think we all agree it's a negative thing that can lead to terrible cruelty and injustice but most people are not racists in the sense that they hate and would actually physically harm people of another race even if they deludedly believe their race is superior. However what happened in Rwanda sends a disturbing message, because these things happened between people of the same race, so racism alone is not an explanation for genocide. In the Bosnian war the people who massacred each other were also of the same race, and in the case of the Serbs and Croatians they were all allegedly Christians. And then there's what happened in Northern Ireland where people of the same race and same religion killed each other for years. As I said it's a complex matter and goes back, I believe, to people who are at the bottom of the heap wanting to put someone down even further so they can feel better about their own status. People who are afraid are easier to convince that they're under threat from another group (whether racial or not) and certain politicians know this and don't hesitate to use it if they can get away with it and think it offers them some political advantage. People who have lived in Japan say that no European will ever be fully accepted there. This is racism too, even if it doesn't involve violence. Sometimes the most insidious racism doesn't involve violence but social exclusion which is also the racism most commonly practiced in Australia against indigenous Australians and others. It is the most common form of racism practiced in France (and Europe generally) against Muslim and African immigrants.
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whitefella :
08 Jun 2009 11:53:41pm
You're wasting your time. Graeme is an "anti-racist" of anglo-saxon descent who consistently argues that only anglo-saxons are racist. Which is racist. Beats me ...
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graeme :
09 Jun 2009 9:52:25am
Dear whitestfella
can you point to where I have argued that only anglo-saxons are racist?
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whitefella :
09 Jun 2009 1:20:45pm
This statement, currently about 6 posts below, certainly implies a view that only anglo-saxons are racist:
"The flood of immigrants over the past 200 years, especially the plethora of anglo saxon ones, certainly has made this country racist."
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graeme :
09 Jun 2009 4:34:24pm
NB photo of badge heading this article.
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blackfella :
09 Jun 2009 10:27:28am
Hey yella fella,white fella,whatever fella you are.
Seems graeme is calling a spade a spade,where as people like you call people with dark skin a spade.
I think he also highlights how even worse off indigenous people are because of the policies and treatments of the broader community and government policies.
I see no flaw in the statement that, in this country the Anglo Saxons have a monopoly on the racism around us. A few small pockets of other ethnicities playing the racist games by whiteys rules is to be expected.
After all they don't want to get deported and/or bashed in the street.
Using aboriginals and other races as political footballs is what we do in this country.
I guess you haven't noticed.
But then again, I don't have blinkered eyes and selective hearing like you.
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Racist and stupid :
07 Jun 2009 10:18:08pm
Stupidity usually accompanies racism, as is the case in Australia. This once great country allowed social engineers, monopolized media, agenda laden politicians and influential minority lobby groups to convince it that its social fabric was made of such indestructible stuff that it could withstand wave after wave of migrants without paying due regard to what might result in the longer term. For decades some quarters have been looking on with dread but for the most part have kept quite in fear that they would be labeled anti something. At the same time the pro Globalists have successfully pulled of the greatest fraud the world has ever seen in making people believe that a global village would be good for us. Hey presto, we now have growing social unrest and a morally and virtually fiscally bankrupt economy.
Carefully monitored and well intentioned immigration policies can make a country as surely as poorly managed and ill intentioned ones can damage it, as has been the case here. It's not just Australians who are racist. Any group who has been so foolishly conned is likely to become angry. The problem for Australia is that the majority of its people have been kept so insulated that we are pretty much looking like an America in the making.
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YesYesYes :
08 Jun 2009 5:10:46am
Absolutely. No society could absorb the huge numbers of foreigners, and now it has reached the point where they're telling us that it's racist to try. Instead we should just accept that our society has been overwhelmed and even be happy about it because our society is no better that any other and it's much nicer to have many groups of other societies sharing the same space.
An enriched evolving society is not the same as an overwhelmed fragmented society. Would these people like to see Nigerian society eradicated in Nigeria? Indonesian society overwhelmed in Indonesia? Russian society overwhelmed in Russia? Which society is good enough to be allowed to survive, or is it all other societies except ours?
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Ireland :
08 Jul 2009 9:29:02am
Wow! at the end people fight against each others comments rather than giving comments to the author.well Australian seems tobe racist and sort of weird people.Coz my housemates started askin me money for bus fair and other stuffs.She seems like a beggar!!we don't even live together for a month. I can understand what they will be like in their country(Australia)
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Mr Universe :
08 Jun 2009 9:12:16am
Your 100% right R&S.The Cronulla riots is the best example of pandering to minorties.The racist & sexist attacks by a certain middle eastern religious youths for years on Cronulla beach was brushed by the politicians.I don't blame the police for not acting,because the pollies tell them what to do.They did report to their superiors that something needs to be done to curb these youths.They were ignored.It took the citizens of Cronulla & Sydney to take action,peaceful at first & then into a drunken yobo feast which resulted in assults against anyone who looked middle eastern.These two events should not have happened if not for the pandering towards minority groups by politicians.When the authorities do nothing & the citizens take action,then there is something very wrong with the process of govt.The postive side to this is,anyone can enjoy the beach at Cronulla no matter who you are, as it was before the thugs came.Good onya Australia.
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graeme :
08 Jun 2009 9:59:52am
The flood of immigrants over the past 200 years, especially the plethora of anglo saxon ones, certainly has made this country racist.
Ask a first australian near you.
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yen :
10 Jun 2009 4:54:33pm
Quote:
"..The flood of immigrants over the past 200 years, especially the plethora of anglo saxon ones, certainly has made this country racist.
Ask a first australian near you. ..."
However, there was quite some racism here *before* 1788.
So, the Anglo-Saxons did not *make* the country racist.
Racism here is older than that.
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brenton :
19 Jun 2009 8:39:14pm
you speak for no one, especialy aboriginal people
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First Generation :
07 Jun 2009 8:44:58pm
Isn't it easy to denigrate our society by the cheap and facile accusation of racism! It is even easier when you are at the other side of the world on UK television after being finally ejected as one of the most divisive figures in Australian business life.
Australians belong to one of the most pluralistic societies on earth and 24% of the population was born outside of Australia. An even larger group is second generation Australian whilst often retaining some affinity with the birthplace of their parents. Our immigrants are from some 180 countries of the world......practically everywhere. On the whole we live in harmony. On the whole, we provide equal opportunities for all and our laws are some of the most progressive in the world for ensuring that.
If Sol thinks we are backwards on the racism front, he might try doing a tour of all the countries of the world that Australian immigrants have escaped from. I can tell you that racism is far more virulent elsewhere in the world - not least in the country he is returning to.
Stop the whinging Sol and supporters!
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hi :
12 Jun 2009 5:32:23am
India should not be angry of been attack by they white teacher who thought then all what they know.
its not suprice seen india discreminating blacks why even some india are black more than african
the father of racist are british who brought racist to existance.
the whole asia has adopt the racist character so the white color still looking then as low color and if you why they are still recieving bad treatment from they are master when india or any asian see white men in they country they look then great than they self untill they back to they are senses to treat all human been the same
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Dr. Alex James :
07 Jun 2009 11:48:22am
This whole question of racism comes to show the level of ignorance that human species has about their existence in this universe and how far below they are in the chain of evolution. Cut your finger, irrespective of the race you are from, you will find that your blood is red in color, unless there is lack of iron and hemoglobin.
Look into the great civilization of the world, whether from India or China or Europe or Africa, they all have the same stories of passion, love, quest for freedom and world dominance. Every modern society today has always benefited from multicultural thinking, cultural issues are near to irrelevant factors in the long run. Skin color or race do not show the virtue of righteousness and clarity in thinking. Its the perception of such differences that makes people to stereotype them based on where they come from, and many such thinkers do so without actually understanding if such a distinction of thoughts is more than idiotic in its on terms.
The notion of “racism” has been there in many forms in all the societies in this world, and it is still prevalent everywhere. Is it really bad to be a racist? Perhaps not if you really understand what race is all about, and are ready to put rational thinking first than predefined perceptions. Ironically, this makes you a better human and you become less of a racist.
Every species in this world are racist. They try to form their own colonies and set their own boundary in wild. Since we humans no longer live in wild, we should think beyond our natural habitats and wildly instincts. The world has changed and we all are moving forward, such incidence of violence and stupidity should not deter us from building a better society. And hopefully, these debates we have today may bring a better and rational tomorrow. As the question is about race, by race I am Indian and by choice like to be known as an Australian. So where should I draw the boundary?
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DocMercury :
07 Jun 2009 11:22:38am
Junkies despise alcoholics and alcoholics despise junkies.
But at least race has nothing to do with it. ;)
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vicks9blue :
07 Jun 2009 1:35:15am
If the footprints of racism would continue in Australia, there will be a day when these differences will wipe out the country into pieces. Today, we live in a social atomosphere wherein all the countries are interconnected and mutully beneficial. If this fabric of social network isn't respected, then there would be insecurity everywhere. Every individual will have to be respected for the lifestyle he or she will choose to lead without causing harm to anyone. No one can reinforce their ideals on any other individual.
We will have to set an example for our children and make it a better place to stay for the next generation than try to lead an isolated psychotic lives filled with hate for any reason.
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VoR :
07 Jun 2009 9:26:45pm
I agree that leading isolated psychotic lives filled with hated is a bad idea. Brilliant thinking.
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I W :
08 Jun 2009 12:57:55am
I really think racism is a form of "bullying".
I have never had a problem mixing with other cultures, and I think the world would be a boring place if we were all the same?
When you are friends with other cultures there is so much to learn, share and enjoy.
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mh :
08 Jun 2009 10:02:59am
I agree, it would be as boring world if we were all the same. That's exactly what the globalisation of peoples is creating. A bland mixing of peoples... like taking a set of colourful paints and then mixing all the colours together, creating a bland monochrome.
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I W :
10 Jun 2009 4:47:58am
Yes, I feel sorry for the indigenous peoples in the outbacks of Australia, that are still being forced to move from their territories. They just want to live there in peace as they have done for thousands of years.
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Felix :
18 Jun 2009 2:53:08pm
Must be pretty old then..........
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Sandgroper :
05 Jun 2009 9:14:53pm
As far as Aborigines are concerned Australia is definitely extremely racist. AS for the rest of the acusations it's junk when comparing Aust to the rest of the world.
Sol I've spent some time in North America and I occassionally watch some of that ridiculous and dangerous Fox News. The United States in particular is one of the most Polarised Societies on the planet. It is exhibeted profoundly by their incarceration rates. Also in their corrective institutions they have three main groupings - Whites(Supremists), Blacks and Hispanics. This is but a microcosm of the whole American way.
Hopefully times are a changing under Barack Obama and the country generally. But Sol you left the USA when the Republicans were in the ascendancy and have only just recently returned after biting the hand that feeds you and that you ripped off so eloquently. What exactly was the USA that you refer to stand for in those years? I think perhaps in spite of its power it might have been just a little bit backward, maybe even stumbling. I really think Sol you can't handle our sense of humour. Why didn't you just leave it at that.
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I W :
06 Jun 2009 2:58:40am
Yes, I'd have to say that Barack Obama is still doing plenty of good in such a short period.
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Lateral :
05 Jun 2009 8:59:18pm
Perhaps the people who come from a society that has cultural racism entrenched in its very structure are too ready to cry Racist when they suddenly feel persecuted elsewhere.
Hypothetical.........
A person who has a certain standing in their community and shares in the common belief that there are those who are more worthy of consideration than others gives no thought to the demeaning and debasement of those beneath them.
This person travels to another country and finds that such distinctions are puzzylingly irrelevant. This person automatically assumes that any slight to themself equates to the inherent prejudice of their homeland.
They are outraged that they should be subjected to the same injustice that their homeland implicitly accepts on a daily basis and has done so for centuries.
They could very well be infuriated by being seen as lowered beyond their 'rightful' station in their homeland and fail to see that they are in a society that has no such distinctions.
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theseustoo :
06 Jun 2009 1:45:54pm
"...they are in a society that has no such distinctions."
Would that it were so!
;)
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Helvi :
07 Jun 2009 12:38:03pm
T2, i think Australia is as racist as any country, but as Aussies are not as excitable as some other folks, the racism is perhaps not in your face as much as in some other places.
We tend to be a bit hesitant about showing how we feel about things,good or bad...
(PS. have you seen ato's and mad's latest offerings?)
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graeme :
07 Jun 2009 6:45:09pm
"It is difficult to to get into a blackfella's head that one man is higher than another." A clergyman in Colonial Victoria
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yen :
10 Jun 2009 4:59:03pm
Quote:
"..."It is difficult to to get into a blackfella's head that one man is higher than another." A clergyman in Colonial Victoria..."
He is dead
He was a clergyman
So, what is he doing here?
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Groucho :
10 Jun 2009 10:41:54pm
" He " is reminding us of how entrenched mainstream Aussie cultures anti-aboriginal,and racism attitudes are.
You have obviously been passed the baton,along with whitefella,ER, etc.
Don't fight over it,will you boys.
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Mr.K.K.Awokunle :
05 Jun 2009 5:30:06pm
In this era,I never still believe racism in the dictionary of some people.
Exposure is an element of change.
Racist(s) in Australia should see beyond thier nose, have a change of environment and attitude,for this takes them nowhere,rather it is an agent of setback.
The government has a role to play here.
It is better to close their mission abroad,not giving people visa than giving them without protection in their country.
I initially love to be in Australia but now has a change of mind,since i would'nt like to be a victim of racism.
Thanks
K.K.Awokunle
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whitefella :
05 Jun 2009 8:01:02pm
Mr Awokunle, if you ever return to Africa for any reason I sincerely hope you are not a Hutu going to live near the Tutsi (for example). Far worse than anything you'll ever find in Australia.
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Felix :
18 Jun 2009 2:54:15pm
Haven't you realised from all the postings? Black people can't be racist........... apparently.
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Only Logical :
05 Jun 2009 4:26:51pm
Sadly, most people - no matter where they come from - are idiots. I sometimes despair at the human race.
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cuckoo head :
05 Jun 2009 4:13:39pm
"Australia is racist"
Who is this "Australia" fella, and why is he/she racist?
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tomsacold :
05 Jun 2009 8:04:18pm
language games - cool.
problem with Rudd,
he left the 'er' out.
Now we are 'less'...
which way is north?
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VoR :
05 Jun 2009 12:53:38pm
Sol Trujillo
Last time I looked Australia WAS backwards compared to the US. Certainly in terms of household appliances and technology, and trends seem to flow from there to here. So he was probably right about that, but it wasn't very polite of him to say so.
As far as Australia being racist is concerned, Sol Trujillo is a failure who is looking for an excuse, and an egomaniac who undoubtedly is unused to the kind of frank and free criticism he received while here.
His inability/refusal to adapt to the differences in Teltra's business situation compared to that of other companies he had stuffed up as CEO was breathtaking.
Does anyone seriously believe that Kevin Rudd is a racist about Mexican-Americans?
An ill-mannered dummy spit. No credit to Bruce Haigh for dignifying it by taking it seriously.
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VoR :
05 Jun 2009 1:36:47pm
But it showed a certain amount of ruthless cunning on Sol's part; after all you don't get to walk out after a few years of damaging a major company with $30 million dollars in your pocket by being a complete dummy. He picked the one way to generate enough noise to drown out the criticsm of his performance.
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Sensibell :
05 Jun 2009 1:39:43pm
Of course poor Old Soul should have spoken to other foreign ex-Oz CEOs.
As John Wayne said, "There's the army way, the navy way, and my way."
There are none so sure that there's is the correct way, than The Australians.
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Call me old-fashioned :
08 Jun 2009 9:10:13am
And who really cares about household appliances and technology that much anyway? (Not that I believe that's true.)
They may be enhancing our communication at the moment, but quite honestly I myself am moving towards simplification in this realm and others.
Best.
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tomsacold :
05 Jun 2009 2:38:24am
The word Australia is a label for a geographic region known as a nation-state. This nation-state is run by a government that represents us all. Thus decisions made by Canberra represent us all under the name Australia. If Rudd's government are not doing anything to change Howard's policies then we collectively are 'racist'; we use policies to divide communities, to create hierarchies for the benefit of a minority, we exclude so many other cultures as we formally did in 1901. The comments about Australia are not sweeping generalisations about all peoples' social practices in this vast land. Australia as a nation comes from Canberra and represents all of us. If we do not like this representation then force the pollies to change.
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Graham Bell :
05 Jun 2009 12:06:13pm
Come off the grass! The fantasy that individual citizens of ustralia have some sort of influence over the policies and practices of the government and of the nation's moribund elite has been discredited time and time again. The most that ordinary citizens get is to vote for exclusively pre-selected candidates once every three years or so .... and to express an opinion that rarely gets past gate-keepers (the internet gives a very temporary window-of-opportunity to those of us not locked out of the digital divide).
Almost every one of the native-born Australians in my own circle is fairly tolerant and definitely not racist at all .... but they are not tolerant at all of being abused, being insulted, being ripped-off, being treated as untouchables or untermenschen!
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tomsacold :
06 Jun 2009 10:03:32am
My thought exactly about the level of discussion in this forum
Everyone - including you - refers to local practice. This forum is about Rudd and racism on a national level.
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whitefella :
05 Jun 2009 8:37:48pm
A tad naive, most Australians opposed the Iraq war but we still went.
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tomsacold :
07 Jun 2009 2:17:28pm
naive?
who is the 'we' in your comment?
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Dion :
05 Jun 2009 2:38:02am
Ah, Mr Haigh, the superannuated former ambassador to Ruritania et al. Racism is a good topic - let us mention Mudgee, where you live. Now Mudgee is an Aboriginal word, and presumably Aboriginals lived there at some point in time, and may well still do. As a resident of Mudgee have you made restitution to the local Aboriginal tribe there for occupying their land?
Racism is the cheapest shot anyone can make in this disordered century. Perhaps a new variation on Godwin's Law is required - can we call it Haigh's Law? Anyone who mentions racism in a trivial or unwarranted fashion is labelled and shunned as a self-righteous, pontificating socialist wannabe with no solutions to the problems he so achingly describes. And what exactly are your solutions to this pressing problem, Bruce?
Australia is one of the least racist countries in the world, because people here are overwhelmingly judged on their character, not on their origins. And it is always so amusing for a retired baby-boomer WASP to preach on the evils of racism, when they were the chief beneficiaries of any such policy. So where was your conscience in the 1960s, 1970s and 1980s, when you were readily taking the Commonwealth's shilling?
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Kush :
05 Jun 2009 2:40:19pm
Racism is the 'crying wolf' of the 21st century, no doubt about it.
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yen :
05 Jun 2009 1:09:24am
Quote:
"The recent attacks on Indian students have thrust the issue of racism in Australia into the mainstream news bulletins.
The Indian government has protested, the Indian media has expressed concern and Kevin Rudd has made one of his grave statements.
And the Australian media toyed with the notion that perhaps there are elements of racism in this country."
It seems that there are some individuals in Australia who are racists.
It is against the laws of Australia.
There are also some individuals in Russia who are nazis. It does not make Russia a nazi country.
And there are some individuals in India who are racists.
Let's distinguish between the country and a few weird individuals.
-But it is necessary to deal with the criminal elements.
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Graham Bell :
05 Jun 2009 12:13:40pm
Why did it take several days following the headlining of the attacks on Indians studying in Australia, for any of the mainstream media to admit that the attackers were from various ethnic groups - and not just white native-born Australians?
Hiding or delaying the release of that news from the world's public was, in itself, a serious RACIST omission.
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Kush :
05 Jun 2009 2:40:13pm
What did you expect from FairFax media? Whos mandate it is: to not label any crimes with their associated ethnic group.
Meanwhile it is White Australians bearing the brunt of retaliation to the attacks on Indians.
That image of the Indian guy, in the hospital, with the staples in his chest, was attacked by men of "African appearence". Truth be told.
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Inquisitor666 :
05 Jun 2009 10:27:04pm
Are you saying their are no WHITE Africans?
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brenton :
19 Jun 2009 8:48:38pm
no. who made a job of it to report on assults on indians in Australia to report back to the indian press, to be presented as a whole. why do we not see the whole story
I work with young indian men living in Harris Park, who asked why the police did nothing to persue alleged attackers.
assuming that the Authorities would just take their word for it. while at the same time taking evidence from local elderly lebanese Australians regarding who felt fritened by the young Indians
I hate to say this but groups of young men living together as many of my subcontinental freinds do and hanging around in large groups can be intimidating to elderly people anywhere.
it seems a shame because I find my indian friends to be quite passive
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yen :
05 Jun 2009 12:58:31am
Quote:
"First Sol Trujillo labelled Australia a racist and backward country."
1. Racist?
In my view Australia is less racist than most other countries.
By the way: Did the same Sol Trujillo do as all job seekers are advised to do: Check the conditions of the place where he applied for a job?
2. Backward?
See above. And why did he apply for a job in Australia?
-Seems he did not do his homework.
-And wanted to slam the door on his way out.
--before the end of the contract. ..
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Inquisitor666 :
05 Jun 2009 10:29:58pm
And why did he apply for a job in Australia?
Derrrr let me think $13-14 mill?
yen you amaze me.
Oh yeah,he was setting us up so he could accuse us of racism.
Do you dolts ever tire of denying the truth,or fabricating conspiracies?
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whitefella :
04 Jun 2009 11:15:00pm
Calling all whitefellas ... let's sit around in a big circle and take turns running ourselves, our families and friends and our culture down while wringing our hands profusely. Extra points for lurid accounts of how racist we all are. If we do this enough we'll eventually reach the state of non-racist nirvana that prevails everywhere else except Australia.
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sebastian caramanga :
26 Jan 2010 8:24:27am
It's not fair to day that Australia is not a racist country based on the existence of a handful of civilized Aussies.
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Groucho :
04 Jun 2009 8:30:45pm
The chances of Australians,in the main,admitting we are racist won't happen.
It has naught to do with anything but pride and ego.
And the last bastion for those attributes,and the last place you will see a consensus of guilt is here-on Unleashed.
WE ARE A VERY INTOLERANT / RACIST COUNTRY !
And we are getting worse.
The more refugees we get the better.
More-more- more- more please.
More is good !
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canada :
12 Jun 2009 10:17:39am
I agree, most likely the chances of someone saying they are racist won't happen. However if we really ask the question, "What is racism?", we would realize it cannot be defined except by being judged outside of one's character. Martin Luther King Jr said it best, "I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin, but by the content of their character."
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Anonymous :
23 Mar 2010 8:37:57pm
we need more diverse people to immigrate here, certainly.
you will find the biggest objectors are native aboriginals.
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Helvi :
04 Jun 2009 8:24:15pm
Although not an Australian, like our premier Nathan Rees,I welcomed foreign students in my home; they came from Japan, Korea, Taiwan, Thailand, Germany and Holland.
What a lovely bunch of young people they were, we learnt from each other, we had some laughs, some fantastic dinners...I certainly found it all very enriching. I am a film buff, but I have to admit that my Korean student friend knew much more about films than I do.
My offspring has not been shy in forging friendships and relationships with people from different background, colour or race. In other words, we can all be influential in fostering harmonious, friendly relations between races.
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karate :
04 Jun 2009 4:06:05pm
The recent violent attacks on young Indian visitors to Australia have obviously upset India, as shown in recent television news programmes. What now concerns me is that the only Australians identifiable overseas are Anglo-Saxon white Aussies. For example, as a multi-cultural society, how could you identify an Australian born and raised here of middle eastern, Asian, black African, etc. appearance and holidaying in another country. Language wouldn't be an issue in a foreign country, many of which do not speak English anyway.
It appears to me that if there are to be an repercussions for the Indian hostility, then white Aussies will be vulnerable to attacks in other countries.
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whitefella :
04 Jun 2009 11:05:24pm
Those most vulnerable to attack, lynching and murder in India are the poor buggers who dare to cross caste barriers ... not that I'm saying Indians are racist because that'd be racist, but then again I'm Australian and all Australians are racist ... everyone knows that, which is why no-one wants to come and live here.
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yen :
05 Jun 2009 1:25:42am
Quote:
"It appears to me that if there are to be an repercussions for the Indian hostility, then white Aussies will be vulnerable to attacks in other countries."
Finnish people who have spent time in Australia and picked up a few Australian phrases could on their way back to Finland be mistaken for Aussies and attacked too, because they have the right (wrong) skin colour and sound Australian.
-Which brings us to one of the core problems of racism.
The "I don't know you personally, but you look and sound like one of 'them'" problem.
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Helvi :
05 Jun 2009 10:39:31am
yen, during my stay here I have picked up few Australian phrases, not too many tho, being a bit slow on the uptake...
I have tried to imitate my hero, Pauline Hanson, but so far I haven't managed to get the twang right either. Maybe this will protect me when travelling overseas; I will never be seen as a racist Australian, maybe just a common garden,or international, racist.
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Migrant :
04 Jun 2009 3:52:48pm
Racism exists, probably not in everyone but in some people and probably in every country. When it spills over into the spate of violence that has been happening, it brings up comparisons with the previous Ku Klux Klan in America and the Nazis in Germany, albeit to a much lesser extent.
As a migrant living in Australia for the past 20 years, I have received racial taunts from Caucasians, against me while walking on the roads, once every few months, every year for the past 20 years. If the violence continues, it will eventually lead to retaliation. An eye for an eye will eventually make us all blind.
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John Greenfield :
04 Jun 2009 3:40:12pm
Below, I was accused of being "bigoted, generalising, racist, and pejorative' for having the gall to call ENOUGH on these white baby-boomer bourgeois Luvvies and their constant attempts to create "Racism Panic" in this country.
"Luvvies" is not bigoted. But, boy oh boy is it meant to be pejorative. It is The Luvvies who have been hellbent on causing social division within Australia over this non-existent "racism".
Ever since Keating threw serious money at the various ethnic and multiculti lobbies, The Luvvie Industry - "human rights" politburo members, departments of multiculti, workshops, sensitivity trainers, Whiteness Studies courses, and the Aboriginal Industry - The Luvvies have been unremitting in their efforts to propagandise the need for more and more taxpayer's money to be thrown at themselves and their allies.
In other words, The Luvvies are a CLASS, who pursue their class interests by trying to get as much of the government tax take from the rest of us to be directed to their own campaigns aimed at creating a "Racism Panic". And the author, here, Bruce Haigh is a leading lieutenant of this Luvvie vanguard
Their fear campaigns of "Racism Panic" are baseless, divisive, and fricking tedious.
It is time the rest of us called The Luvies to account, and as I said, tell them to Get Knotted!
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michael :
04 Jun 2009 3:31:18pm
well of course australia is racist and australians are individually, to a greater or lesser extent, racist.
this is hardly news and why it seems to surprise and/or upset people is rather odd - every country on the planet is racist, as are all their citizens. it's the human condition.
the difference between countries and between individuals is what one does with racist ideas, notions and impulses. australia, along with most of western society, does not officially condone racism and legal mechanisms are in place to see that those who feel wronged are able to seek redress. this is not necessarily the case in other parts of the world.
whilst colonial legacies have left many in the non-western world nursing grievances and have given rise to accusations of racism in western societies generally, it should not be forgotten that many of those formerly oppressed countries and peoples are today amongst the most racist societies in existence.
indians, for example, are no strangers to racism - the caste system still divides the country in a bizarre form of internal self-racist oppression of individuals and groups, and light skinned northern indians are much prized as marriage partners by dark skinned southerners.
mexican society, with apologies to silly old sol, actively discriminates against those of indian/aztec heritage and features whilst prizing lighter skinned and finer-featured european heritage.
seems we all practice the same behaviour, noticing difference is ingrained in the human psyche, and the mistake is to be in the minority anywhere.
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Mirriyuula :
04 Jun 2009 3:30:12pm
I remember swimming at the Molong baths when I was about four or five. I was there with a bunch of my little mates around the same age. Mum and her friend where lying under an umbrella on the grass, sunny day, 50's Australia, what could be wrong?
We were playing "chaseys", a game restricted to the grass. "NO RUNNING ON THE POOL DECK". Well one of us ran onto the cement deck and the rest just followed.
We were caught up by a couple of spotty local teens, probably farmers' sons. "Can't ya read the sign?" their leader asked tauntingly, and turned for praise from his thick mates. "They don' go ta school, not that lot", said another, "Yeah bloody soap dodging poms", "Bloody white abo's that's what ya are." The leader pushed Jeffrey in the pool. We all helped him out while the big boys sauntered off. Their prowess proven.
We were Fairbridge kids, snotty pale pommy kids, thrown out into the the crumbling empire, some of us orphans, some just from families so poor we were given up or taken, and then dumped in Central Western NSW where apparently we were the lowest point on the measure of irrational hatreds. About as low as the "abo's", who incidentally weren't allowed into the baths.
Now all these years later I wonder, is it any different these days really, or is it that out hatreds are just differently focussed?
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Jack Russell :
04 Jun 2009 6:20:07pm
When shopping at the Queen Victoria building in Sydney, I put on my strongest Northern European accent and what a lovely service I get;
Madame this and that, and how long are you staying in Austrlia, what do you think of Australia....oh I love Australia and I'll definitely return...
Everybody's smiling...
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Mirriyuula :
05 Jun 2009 7:09:09pm
You can be an odd pup, Jack.
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Jack Russell :
06 Jun 2009 9:14:43am
I think I'm just being pragmatic. If the the woman from the suburbs with an accent doesn't get good service, you might as well be a tourist with a 'cute' Swedish or French accent to achieve attention...and to be served promptly...
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Mirriyuula :
06 Jun 2009 2:59:02pm
Don't get me wrong. I've always been a great admirer of odd. Odd is good.
I'm a little odd myself. But you knew that didn't you?
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Jack Russell :
10 Jun 2009 9:37:03pm
Sadly I'm a pretty common garden Jack Russell,though I would not mind being odder. I too like people and dogs that are out of ordinary, luckily most of my friends are...
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Proof :
04 Jun 2009 2:58:42pm
It is amazing how defensive Australians get when the racist card is drawn. Maybe not all Australians are racist, but they are very good at broad strokes when it comes to other cultures.
One of the issues is that the term racism is not fully understood by especially by people who are not at the sharp end. Modern racism does not take the form of a swastika or Apartheid. It is the generalisations made by society, example what groups come to mind when the term car theft comes to mind or solvent abuse, Roman Catholic Priest or terrorist. It may be the case that a larger representation of a cultural group fit these terms, but when the overtones enter the society and the people are labelled as such due to a link to a cultural heritage, that is when things become racist.
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yen :
05 Jun 2009 1:41:01am
Quote:
"...It is the generalisations made by society, example what groups come to mind when the term car theft comes to mind or solvent abuse, Roman Catholic Priest or terrorist....."
1. Car theft?
2. Solvent abuse? What group are you talking about?
3. Roman Catholic Priest? A Roman Catholic Priest is a Roman Catholic Priest.
So?
4. Terrorist? Sometimes the terrorists declare their background.
At present most of the terrorists seem to have approximately the same background.
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Interested :
05 Jun 2009 9:57:47am
"At present most of the terrorists seem to have approximately the same background."
Exactly, but it is only a small portion of the population, why do the innocent people with the same background suffer from the generalisations. Are all Roman Catholic priests Paedophiles?
If you like I can draw a diagram for you?
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Felix :
05 Jun 2009 3:59:11pm
Just the honest ones............
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yen :
10 Jun 2009 5:10:05pm
Quote:
"...Exactly, but it is only a small portion of the population, why do the innocent people with the same background suffer from the generalisations. Are all Roman Catholic priests Paedophiles?...."
Should all white people share the guilt for invading the American continents?
Are the Finnish 'guilty' because of the Conquestadores?
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hawsecav :
04 Jun 2009 2:58:18pm
Part of what people dont seem to realize is when someone is being cheeky its still racist, just look at all the jokes made on the tv and radio over the last week after Sol left, just cuase you think your being funny doesnt mean its still not racist.
Australians are very cheeky as a culture alot of us laughed at this but by and large all the jokes made about sol since his comments came out have been completely racist and deemed acceptable. If tolerance of racism is not being a racist its damn close.
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yen :
05 Jun 2009 1:54:52am
Quote:
"Australians are very cheeky as a culture alot of us laughed at this but by and large all the jokes made about sol since his comments came out have been completely racist and deemed acceptable. If tolerance of racism is not being a racist its damn close."
1. The same 'sol' is as far as I know a US citizen. It is an established fact that US citizens are fair game all year round.
2. As for having a Spanish background:
All Europeans are blamed as a group for all European acts.
So the Swedes, the Finnish, etc., being Europeans, are 'guilty' of the acts of the Conquistadores.
The world is full of racism!
And the same 'sol' was probably laughing all the way to the bank when he left his job at Telstra.
His 'suffering' was probably 'bearable'.
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Rohan Kumar :
04 Jun 2009 2:51:54pm
Only a glance through the comments posted is sufficient to prove that everything the author says is right. Rohan
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Algernon :
07 Jun 2009 10:42:49am
I worked with a fellow from India once, my relationship with him was professional, a co-worker nothing more or less, with whom I worked well. I'll preface this by saying that I have a southern European surname and that nearly every day of my schooling I had to cope with racist taunts.
Unfortunately for Anil (not his real name), a couple of co-workers would goad him. He was also known for his bigoted comments and freely expressed them. He had a capacity to run late for work and to leave early to make up for it. He had a rich treasure trove of excuses as to why he was late.
One day after being goaded by this pair he lashed out verbally at anyone near. He said for whatever reason to me "Your the most racist person I've ever met, Algernon" to which I replied, "No Anil, your the most racist person I've ever met". He replied "I can't be a racist, I'm black!". My comment to that was "Exactly"
Your comments are a bit precious, here Rohan.
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outcast :
04 Jun 2009 2:04:49pm
The words racist & facist have become the most overused & abused words in the English language.
So much for pc education broadening the mind!
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Mirriyuula :
04 Jun 2009 2:51:19pm
Has it occurred to you Outcast, that the words may not be being misused so much as simply turning up more often; and, possibly, dare I say it(?), being applied to people and ideas you hold dear.
After the past decade and a half of racist kryptofascist geopolicy from Europe, America and, let's not forget our own Howard, it's a matter of no surprise to me that now that some degree of change is blowing through you may begin to feel somewhat discomforted, perhaps a little apprehensive about the future.
Well don't sweat it. The dark lords of capital are only stunned. They'll be back and their fury will be fearsome. Until then a little stoicism from you wouldn't be out of place.
Catch up on your reading.
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DocMercury :
04 Jun 2009 3:53:01pm
The word and meaning of the term "racist" is also promoted by the use of the term "genocide".
As if the human genome has ever been under threat of total obliteration, which is what "genocide" would mean when used as a truism.
"Culturicide" is an acceptable terminology, because it does not differentiate between peoples by minor variations in their phenome, and therefore does not promote the notion of "race".
"Genocide" only applies to entities like the dodo and the thylacine, and NOT to groups within a single species.
We humans are not nearly a genetically diverse, as a proportion of nucleotide base-pair to the whole genome, as are various strains within single species of bacteria.
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Kush :
05 Jun 2009 2:40:25pm
It's akin to telling somebody to "shut up", imo. People who lack a balanced viewpoint use 'pc swear words' as a last resort ie. "racist", "facist" etc.
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blax5 :
04 Jun 2009 1:47:48pm
Australians are not racist, this is a tag which the pro-immigration groups seem to revive every time the arguments against unrestricted immigration are brought forward again.
Australians, and I am one of them, object to some lifestyles when people do not leave them behind in their troubled homelands.
For instance, we do not like being called infidels and many people live in fear of a mosque coming into the neighbourhood which will disturb their sleep patterns by 5:30 prayer calls. We do not like Tamils or Sudanese bringing in the violence of their tribal troubles. The Chinese in NZ murdered his wife because she did not have a son - he should have left that thinking behind in China.
There has been no real problem until moslems came in large numbers who insist that they do not need to worry about the standards of their adopted country.
We also like being asked if we want to open the door and object to gate-crashers. Women are not baby and cleaning machines - they are human beings which have a soul and need to be respected. Fasting during Ramadan does not fit into the modern world where doctors, pilots, and many others need to be on the ball during working hours.
Although I am not a Russian, I know quite a few here. They are quite a diverse group and not all look tall and blue eyed. I have not heard of anything like racial slurs.
Why migrate when you cherish the rules and lifestyle of your own country which are actually the reason for that country to be so unsuccesful that you have to leave?
I don't care what colour skin, but I object to some elements of their lifestyle becoming part of Australia.
PS: If someone calls me a Kraut, it does not worry me.
The semi-anonymous posting possibility here is good, I think, because it is helpful in the truth-finding mission. We often need to blur the truth on other occasions.
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MarK :
04 Jun 2009 3:41:59pm
Plenty of white Australians Anglo/Euro have killed their spouses or randoms for a lot less than not bearing a son
There have been plenty of problems
I do not get where people think that migrants are causing all this violence. From what i see hear.read in Perth the vast majority of vilence is caused by people born here.
If anything any violencecaused by ethnci groups is limited to their group
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DocMercury :
04 Jun 2009 3:58:35pm
Blax5, I suspect that where "blokism" meets "sexism" and "feminists" meet "The Melbourne Club" in Australia, there too lies the kernel for other sorts of 'ism'.
To say "Australians" are anything at all, as a universal declaration of fact, is a bit like saying dogs are black.
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Stephen :
16 Sep 2010 1:37:23pm
blax5, not all Australian's are racist. I think the point is, there are elements of racism being seen and felt by the ethnic groups. I for one experienced it, even though i was basically born here, my parents are Taiwanese, and because i don't have blond/brown hair and blue eyes, i got targeted during the Pauline Hanson campaign. Now, during that time, i did nothing to provoke anybody, and was just at the station wanting to go home and crash after a long day at work. If you can tell me how the 5 aussie blokes weren't racist towards me, saying words such as "have you seen yourself in the mirror lately?", "you f*%king yellow skinned gooks should all go home", "f*%#ing slant-eyed gook", etc etc.. well, you get the point right?? Anyhow, if you can prove any of those words aren't racist in any manner at all, without provokation from me, then i'll believe that there's no racist's in this country which i call home.
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Pun :
04 Jun 2009 1:47:15pm
There is a danger that the generalised accusation levelled at a whole country, whether Australia in this instance or any other, provides a convenient cover for committed racist individuals and organisations to act out their fantasies, including the fantasy that they have more support for their world views than they actually do in any general population.
Generalisations are a hindrance to combating racism since they avoid analysis, distinctions, specific facts and corroboration of facts and causes, including mixed and multiple or complex causes and motives.They promote a general air of panic and public disorder that only feeds into the hands of racists.For this reason we need to keep a cool head when assessing the causes of what amount to criminal acts such as assaults and robberies.A general hue and cry about the causes and motives for what are actually criminal acts committed by individuals (I am referring to the attacks on Indian students)will not tell us anything about the actual causes or motivations or intentions of the individuals involved, which can only be determined when the individuals are caught, investigated and brought before the courts.The acts themselves would be reprehensible and unlawful and subject to legal penalty no matter the race of the victim or the perpetrator and for that reason I would have to say that one cannot generalise that Australia is racist.
One can say that individuals and organisations may be racist and these should be exposed and spoken about and denounced so that they can't hide in society under the cover of a generalised anarchic proposition that a whole country is racist.Racists love these generalisations not only for the propaganda value, but because it excuses their behaviour and responsibility as individuals.
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cj :
04 Jun 2009 1:43:17pm
Remember Comrade, its only racist if you're white.
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Kush :
05 Jun 2009 2:40:08pm
Words too true for this forum, cj.
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Just me :
10 Feb 2010 10:55:29pm
Its actually funny that you rarely hear anyone saying that Indians are racist! Everyone mentions their caste system but they can have a terrible attitude towards white Australians whilst here.
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4theRepublicofOz :
22 Apr 2011 1:47:15pm
Well "Comrade" here's 2 cents for you...
White people and Racism have been proven to be a bad mix. Just look at the history of the world to see the crimes and heinous acts committed against non-whites and other minorities. Slavery, rape, mass murder, genocide etc. The numbers committed from the Anglo/Saxon/Celtic people far out weigh any other ethnic group.
White racism needs to be kept in check its that plain and simple.
We need to except this fact and continually work to better ourselves - that's how we truly move on.
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frangipani :
22 Apr 2011 4:03:08pm
Good heavens. I had no idea the Anglo-Saxon-Celtic race extended to far.
I didn't know, for example, that the the Chinese and Mughal emperors, the Aztecs, not to mention the Greeks and Romans, all of whom had slaves, were actually all Anglos. I had no idea that the Golden Horde, which lived by rape and pillage, was white. I didn't realize that Pol Pot, Mao, Stalin and Hitler, who between them murdered something in the neighbourhood of 100 million people, were Anglo Celts. And I had no idea that Cortez and Pizarro, who wiped out whole cultures in Latin America, were English. Nor did I realize all those unsavoury African dictators in Sudan, Rwanda, Congo etc were white.
On the other hand, I've read a bit of history. You obviously haven't. So your comment is worth precisely the price you put on it - 2 cents.
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DocMercury :
04 Jun 2009 12:40:52pm
Apart from considering four (or six and eight and dozens of legs) legs better than two, or if you have to have two legs then you should also have feathers, I'm not a racist in any way.
One lesser hirsute ape is pretty much the same monkey as all of the others.
It is easier not to differentiate, and the species has never let me down in this regard.
Of course, on the same basis I'm probably more inclined to support fleas than humans.
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Johnny C :
04 Jun 2009 12:11:25pm
What this whole debate illustrates is not that Australians are racist (which many are), or that we are worse than other countries in this area (which we generally are not), but rather our struggle to have a mature debate about a global issue which affects directly a very large number of our citizens.
Denial seems to be a default position for many people, who would prefer not to have to deal with uncomfortable realities. Unfortunately, from being a world leader on social justice issues in the 1980s, we have gone to being a laggard within the Western sphere. Sure we are a very successful multicultural society on one level, however there are still elements of race-based discrimination and disrespect towards non-white citizens.
In a practical sense, admitting this, naming it for what it is, and declaring it unacceptable at all levels in society, would go a long way to helping prevent a continuation of the recent development of ugly, racially exclusive, nationalistic chest beating which is threatening to destroy our national day.
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DocMercury :
04 Jun 2009 1:08:21pm
I disagree Johnny, because humans all taste the same.
A bit like bacon and ham.
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MarK :
04 Jun 2009 3:43:34pm
Bacon and ham are cured, and the majority of the tasted is from the process not the pig
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Nguurrumbang :
04 Jun 2009 4:53:48pm
Long pig, Doc?
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Jamie :
04 Jun 2009 2:48:55pm
I have to agree with Johnny C here.
Mr Haigh states that, "Of course racism is a fact of life in Australia." This is totally undeniable when racism is a fact of life in the WORLD. It's like air, and in some places it's going to be dirtier than others. Surely the level of racism in Australia is a little bit different to what Mr Haigh had experienced in South Africa - the place from which may white people are currently leaving in droves to avoid persecution.
Racism, in my view, is not just practised by the Anglo-Celtic. Far from it. In my own neighbourhood I've been called a "white c*nt" for telling a young man not to surreptitiously enter my property at 2 am. It doesn't matter what race he was, I would have demanded the same of any person. But the fact was, I was of a different racial background from this fellow, and it was only him that recognised that point of difference.
Racism is essentially a relatively harmless fear of the unknown, and I believe an unescapable fact of life.
Racial discrimination and harrassment are the unfortunate toxic elements which grow from this fear, but while humans continue to behave like humans, I'm afraid that this too is inescapable.
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Just me :
10 Feb 2010 10:52:07pm
You forget the fact that discrimination against white people is apparently not racism. Go to any workplace whereby white people are the minority and you will see discrimination without a doubt by the majority.
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pearl :
04 Jun 2009 12:10:48pm
The worst racism i've heard was said by a Cambodian-born Australian (with whom i work), a person who has been living here since childhood, and labelled a fellow employee a "half-breed" (read: not ethnically pure) because of her Dutch-Vietnamese heritage.
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Karl :
04 Jun 2009 11:44:30am
It is virtually impossible for Australians to admit, that they are in general, racist.
Only recently in WA, a chinese student was mutilated and then murdered, and an aborginal held in custody was virtually cooked to death - in these cases not a word was mentioned from the mouths of some of our infamous radio shock jocks. Well, it's what one would expect.
And if the subject of the Stolen Generation is ever brought up, you can expect one of two possible answers:
a) It never happened
or
b) well hey, during the 40's and 50's, we had the stolen generation of Anglo Saxon children brought out to Australia.
Of course the latter excuse is a real reaper. It implies that Two Wrongs makes it RIGHT!
(You can't win with that sort of logic, right?)
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Dave :
04 Jun 2009 12:17:50pm
Your wrong. The fact that Anglo-Saxon children were also taken from their families show that the whole thing was not based on race.
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granny :
04 Jun 2009 3:50:09pm
It is my understanding that those children from England were given up by their families. I used to go to a school where a few of them attended, they were provided with an education, housing, clothing, opportunities for secondary colleges and university placement. When my shoe leather was wearing a bit thin, we had to resort to bits of cardboard as innersoles until Mum could save the money for schoolshoes. Those kids never had to wear their shoes down like a lot of us in those days.
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Mirriyuula :
04 Jun 2009 6:02:50pm
Granny, you're wrong. Horribly wrong, but I won't hold it against you. Many people have no knowledge or understanding of schemes like the Northcote Society or The Fairbridge Foundation. These Edwardian inspired organisations, already anachronistic at the time of their establishment, saw to the international movement of thousands of children, many of whom ended up at Fairbridge Farm School near Molong and some of whom attended the Molong Central School which I suspect is the school you're referring to. Most of these kids never managed to finish their schooling and in all the years of Fairbridge you can still count on the fingers of your hands all the Old Fairbridgians who managed a university degree and most of them including the likes of David Hill, ex ABC, Railways, Football supremo, finished their studies on their own bat as mature age students. There is a report from the Department of Ed. at the time suggesting that so neglected were the studies of most Fairbridge children that they were considered "educationally retarded" Many my age can still not read or write easily.
Fairbridge wasn't racist but as I set out above, it was the target of racist abuse by locals.
The shoes issue is an interesting one. I remember the Fairbrigde shoes quite well. Cheaply and poorly made in bulk, they were ill fitting and singularly lacked any stylised embellishment. Given the work the children were put to at Fairbridge the shoes didn't last all that long; and yes, you could always get a new pair, the shoe storeroom was always full. I suspect that was probably because the bursar was bent and was selling shoes out the back door.
The things you mention as being in fulsome supply, (clothing, opportunity), were, like love and human affection, actually in very short supply at Fairbridge. My memory is of pale skinny kids with runny noses, barefoot most of the time and struggling to keep warm in winter in hand me down woolens with the elbows out of them.
My parents, Fairbridge employees, got me and my sisters out of there as soon as it became apparent that this place was not as it had been sold to them by The Fairbridge Society. Indeed to my mind from this remove it appears to have fundamentally failed to achieve any of it's own prominently bruited virtues and these days is happy to abdicate any ongoing responsibility to the generations of children it's poorly conceived and criminally neglegent program has deeply damaged.
Read David's book "The Forgotten Children". It's an eye opener. I also have a friend who is writing a novel based on the Fairbridge experience and the number of times I've come across him crying as he types are too many. I've read bits of it and it's actually painful to read.
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gerard :
04 Jun 2009 6:41:16pm
I read David Hill's book and was amazed that Children were 'exported'to Australia and that Australia accepted those 'imported' children from the UK till the early seventies.
No country ever did that with children.
Little kids expected to go and pick up bits of sticks barefooted and on frosty mornings at that infamous Fairbridge institute near Bathhurst. Being belted with hockey sticks, going hungry.Physical abuse of little kids by 'cottage mothers'. Upper crust do-gooders who did bad.
And we are surprised, at our, at least 20% rate of kids getting bullied.
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Mirriyuula :
05 Jun 2009 3:10:05pm
http://www.smh.com.au/news/natio ... 9984320.html?page=2
I think David arrived just as we left and he got the worst of it. The moral decay, the emotional and physical brutality, the hard physical work and most soul destroying of all, the complete absence of any prospect that it might improve.
Some escaped unscathed but most bear deep scars. It should be noted on the plus side of this account that Fairbridge kids, all of whom are at least middle aged by now, may have suffered but their sense of belonging to one another is profound and in an odd way my sisters and I belong to them too, as they belong to us. Our mother was a Northcote girl who became a Fairbridge Trainee, married our father who was the maintenance man at the time, she became a cottage mother, we were born and spent our formative years there. Even after we left and well into my adulthood those Fairbridge kids, now adults with families themselves, continued to call on Dad and Mum. Of course we all think our parents are special but I think at Fairbridge at that time, perhaps, ours were, and maybe those kids got the only straight forward affection in their early lives from Mum and Dad.
No names no pack drill but I remember quite clearly and very dearly one of the boys, well two of them actually. One became a greenkeeper and many Sunday mornings would turn up at our place and we'd just chew the fat, him and dad and I. He always seemed at ease in Dad's company and often they'd just sit quietly, not talking much at all. The other became a school teacher and gave me an Airfix kit of a Lancaster Bomber one Christmas. He stayed the night and on boxing day the three of us built the model and painted it and hung it in the ceiling of my room. I can still remember the pride on his face as he looked at the finished Lanc dynamically hung at an angle as though climbing away from the drop. And I remember Julie who became a hairdresser, Pip and Daphne and the orchard near the lake; and Eddy and Mick; and Connie in over shoes in her back yard on ANZAC day proudly holding my little sister for the first time, and I remember the dazzlingly beautiful Marina in her early twenties, dolled up to the nines and standing by Dad's new Hillman. Had she just graduated from nursing college? I remember them all so fondly and just writing their names now is like conjuring the past, like a spell that has power over me even now.
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Mirriyuula :
05 Jun 2009 5:14:27pm
A point in case.
The ethical vacuum and moral decay that characterised the later years at Fairbridge was recognised and acknowledged by the UK HQ of Fairbridge but they did very little about it.
Indeed the appalling life outcomes for many Old Fairbridgians is dismissed by the Fairbridge Foundation these days. They say that they are not the same organisation and therefore not responsible; and besides they didn't do it. A bit like Howard and saying sorry.
However they did stop sending kids out to Australia I think in the late fifties or sixties because they recognised the brutality and emotional aridity of the place. It was no longer good enough for British kids but London didn't tell Child Welfare here in NSW for another 15 years during which Fairbridge continued to exercise it's horrid hand over the lives of Aussie kids.
It's amazing what they got away with under the Royal Warrant.
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granny :
05 Jun 2009 12:00:17pm
Sorry that you had a horrid experience, but I was referring to an orphanage run in Melbourne suburbs. The majority of those girls mainly, went on to a private secondary college, then onto Melbourne University. I think the orphanage in question was run by a Catholic convent, Archbishop Mannix was calling the shots in those days and maybe he was able to influence the education dept to get the best for them.
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Mirriyuula :
05 Jun 2009 3:53:54pm
Of course Melbourne. You're that "granny", "Mick's" "granny", not the other "granny". My apologies.
Of course you're right. There were institutions that provided a more civilised level of care but education was a signal failing in the Fairbridge scheme.
Interestingly my feeling for my early years at Fairbridge is one of unalloyed good. Fairbridge was a closed community and I always felt safe there. My toddler adventures became the stuff of family legend. I remember my constant companion was a little German girl whose father ran the vegetable gardens. He'd been in Tigers during the war, (Wermacht Panzer Division), Dad was in one of "Hobart's Funnies", the famous Sherman DD swimming tank. It was an odd friendship so soon after the war, an oddness that enveloped my friendship with Reika, who wore lederhosen to play in. Very exotic. I remember her being taunted by one of the other kids who was saying that she looked like a boy in her lederhosen. I can hear her now, in her gutteral german accent, as he flicked her blonde hair, her little fists proudly at her hips, "I am not a boy. I don't have a tossle." It was decades before I learned what that was and even then I thought it was an English word.
It was during that brief return after our parents separation that the full extent of the malignancy that Fairbridge had become crashed in on me. My sisters had the worst of it. Appalling really.
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MarK :
04 Jun 2009 12:22:47pm
We are racist, but a few isolated incidents do not represent racism in Australia
On your latter point. You cant just discard it.
It is kind of like the situation today... the 70 on Assaults on Indians, are merely a cup in the swiming pool, of violent assults leaving the vitimcs with pernament debilityating injuries, IF the offenders ar caught they get slap on the wrist.
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yen :
05 Jun 2009 2:05:26am
Quote:
"...or
b) well hey, during the 40's and 50's, we had the stolen generation of Anglo Saxon children brought out to Australia.
Of course the latter excuse is a real reaper. It implies that Two Wrongs makes it RIGHT!
(You can't win with that sort of logic, right?)..."
But,
the mentioning of the 'Anglo Saxon children brought out to Australia' sort of destroys the alleged *racist* side of the argument, does it not?
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Lauren :
04 Jun 2009 11:41:25am
Australia had to suspend the racial discrimination act to get the NT invervention passed. this is tantamount to addmitting racism. A lot of horrible things (stolen generation, assimilation etc) were justified as being for the greater good. what things will we look back on in 50 years as terrible and marginalising?
Think about the opportunity for an white aussie comapred to an ethnic one.... would your agerage white employer hire a muslim? an african refugee? a jew? would those idiots that talk about bludging be on welfare if they were another colour and had less opportunity? would they tease and taunt white welfare recipients in the same way they claim that refugees are sponging?
Some things to think about.....
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Kush :
05 Jun 2009 2:40:02pm
"would they tease and taunt white welfare recipients in the same way they claim that refugees are sponging?"
Yes. Some of the taunts are:
"Whitetrash"
"Bogan"
"Chav"
"pregnant teenage Panthers fan"
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Felix :
18 Jun 2009 2:56:17pm
Chav? Haven't heard that one. Please explain. ;-)
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harleyyt :
24 Mar 2010 7:16:21pm
yeah pauline hanson!!, haha
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Jay :
04 Jun 2009 11:25:52am
I think most cases of racism can be solved. Racism is composed of misunderstanding, lack of trust, lack of humanity, lack of respect for others, etc. Racism is such a big issue because it involves other ethnicities, that's all. If you break it down racism is really just disrespect or distrust towards a person/group. Racism doesn't just happen without a reason, I can't imagine how a decent, well-mannered human being can be the subject of discrimination! Certain groups of people, or people from certain countries are simply more polite, well-mannered, educated, and ethical than others. People should start reflecting on themselves before accusing anyone of being a racist. I believe in most cases, respect earns respect, no matter what ethnicity!
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Mimi :
04 Jun 2009 2:41:08pm
Jay, which planet do you live on, because I want to hitch a ride there. A place where people are only discriminated against if they are rude or disrespectful? SIf you "can't imagine how a decent, well-mannered human being can be the subject of discrimination" I suggest you start talking to people from minority groups, find the ones you consider to own these qualities, and then listen very carefully to their stories of racism. That is, if they trust you enough to tell you about them.
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Jay :
05 Jun 2009 4:16:25pm
Mimi,
Obviously you have taken my point out of context. Of course there will always be die-hard racists, unfortunately. I know nothing is perfect, so how about that. But I am saying that I believe racial discrimination can be avoided by being decent and showing respect, you may still experience difficulty if people don't know you well enough and some of them don't worth the time anyway. As for colleagues at work, etc, I believe there is room and time for mutual understanding even if there is initial discrimination. Then again, your definition of racism may be different from mine.
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Victor Rivera :
04 Jun 2009 11:13:21am
New Aussies who have lived long enough in Australia will know that Australia had a WAP before Mr Whitlam, but it didn't stop them coming because they were leaving their homelands to avoid prejudice in many instances. Under Mr. Fraser we were invited to apply to become Australians, the Australians who believe in a fair go, hard work, acceptance and tolerance.
However there are people who cry foul before really analysing the situation on both sides of this issue.
maybe we are really talking about a case of inferiority complex for is it a superiorty ccmplex?
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She Won't Be Right Mate :
04 Jun 2009 11:09:10am
What we are seeing now is the inevitable outcome of allowing consecutive agenda driven governments and powerful ethnic lobby groups to cajole the Australian people into buying the myth of the virtues of open slather immigration policies and globalization.
In the 70's and 80's to speak against the immigration policies and outsourcing of jobs overseas was tantamount to heresy in Australia. Reasonable attempts to debate the issues were mowed down as racist. Regardless a growing undercurrent of discontent was festering.
It's starting to dawn on many Australians that they have been sold down the Globalisation drain. There's no turning back now. New arrivals from India and elsewhere are now unfortunate pawns and victims of stupid, ill intentioned social experiments.
The big end of town is in clover. They are allowed to outsource their jobs to India and China, and the few crap jobs that are left here are awarded to new arrivals who aren't game to speak out for fear that they will have their visas pulled. And we wonder why so many people are p#@@ssed off! At least globalisation has delivered on its promise to make a more level playing field. Now Australia is in as much of a mess as many parts of the world.
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Mr Universe :
04 Jun 2009 10:37:37am
You would think that the lefties (including Bruce) would bang heads together & come up with something new to say. All those years in university & journalist studies,Bruce & his kind can only come up with "I'm not a racist but".If your a racist,then say it Bruce.Don't use excuses.
Cricket says that you should be banned Bruce,but it is beneficial in that it exposes the true racist,the true believers.
It is shame that we have you like in this great country,but it is a fact of life.Racism is a virus that runs through the left side of politics has been since labour introduced the White Australia Policy.I'm glad there are people on this forum that are against racism.Your support for slavery,intolerence towards the great indeginous people of this land is wrong.Why do want them to live in poverty & misery Bruce?.Hidden agenda?.I work with the defence personal who particpated in the Intervention & have said it was the most rewarding job that they have ever done,better than serving overseas.The lies & mis-information & nonsense about NORFORCE personal coming to kidnap children.These rumors were spread by the racist left,again agenda driven to de-rail the intervention.The Hawke/Keating years were the most bigoted & intolerent years in Australia's most recent history.Lip service to the indegenous people was criminal.Rudd has done it with the sorry day,hasn't backed it up yet,but has continued with the good work of the intervention.Thanks John Howard.
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Pedro :
04 Jun 2009 10:25:29am
I am a WASP who has lived and worked in overseas multicultural societies.
I was subjected to formal racism by the Australian Government and some of my WASP colleagues when I married an Asian in the sixties, so have some idea what constitutes racism and what it is like being on the receiving end of racism.
I often observed, and still believe, that genuine hard core racists invariably have psychological or physiological problems or usually a combination of both.
Non genuine racists, who constitute about 75% of most peoples, just have a primitive,uncomfortable feeling when with other tribes or unfamiliar species.
This inherent primitive reaction of being uncomfortable with the unfamiliar comes to us through our senses: vision, sound, and smell.
I lived totally within another society for some months without seeing another European and upon seeing my first European for some months started laughing at their appearance and felt offended by their guttural language.
So it is ingrained in us to be racist to some degree, it is just that we should not support the status of genuine hard core racists e.g. John Howard, within our society.
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Cricket :
04 Jun 2009 9:31:32am
If Australia is a racist country because racism exists within it, then every country on earth is racist too - many of them more so, because they don't have laws against racism, whereas we do.
I'm Australian, and I'm not racist. I demand that Bruce Haigh categorically withdraw his offensive accusation and be banned from contributing to Unleashed ever again.
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Laki :
04 Jun 2009 10:29:59am
I don't think he is isolating every Australian as racist, if you read the article carefully he does not do this.
However if you are going to deny the fact that many Australians are racists then you are fooling yourself.
Racism stems from fear and ignorance, but where does this fear and ignorance stem from? Our leaders obviously.
Most people I come across in this country are not racist, but I have seen a lot of racism nonetheless.
We came and slaughtered, enslaved and destroyed the Indigenous people of this land, and many still have the audacity to discriminate not only against them, but other foreigners too.
This nation was built on racism, on the genocide of innocent Aborigines. Don't forget that.
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Cricket :
04 Jun 2009 1:41:24pm
This fool Haigh, Laki, has stated "Australia is racist", so while he may not be "isolating every Australian as racist", with that statement he is effectively saying that generally, every Australian is racist. It is an accusation for which he has not provided proof, because he cannot.
It is also highly offensive, because in making the statement along with sweeping unsupported generalisations about "quiet soundings at social gatherings" and "degrees of official tolerance" and irrelevant nods to the unenlightened past, he's profoundly guilty of the same stereotyping and generalisation that are the hallmarks of racists.
I am not a racist and nor is my country. Haigh must withdraw the accusation immediately, or provide definitive proof that every Australian is racist.
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graeme :
04 Jun 2009 3:48:55pm
Cricket
Australia is a racist country. It is the federation of six British colonies, given legitimacy by a racist agenda of anglo-saxon superiority.
The Australian Govt still does not recognise customary law, insists that traditional owners' descendants learn to speak the queens english (for their own good of course), and our politicians speak of this bastion of europe, south east of asia.
Traditional owners were decimated, their languages forbidden, and survivors were forced to follow the particular flavour of middle eastern religion represented by the godking of England.
Until 40 years ago, there existed the white australia policy.
Now, in these "enlightened times" white australia seems happy to sell resources and real estate that they obtained by racist manoeuvring to the highest bidder, regardless of skin colour. We even let 'em live here if they've got the dough. We call them business migrants.
That most Australians directly benefit from the historical misappropriation of assets, stolen lands, makes us a racist country.
Especially so, are those particular individuals that wish to minimise the racist nature of our nation, and simply call it our "good fortune" to live here.
Yeah right, but at who's expense?
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Groucho :
04 Jun 2009 8:24:59pm
graeme
Oz is racism central,and as I have stated before the majority save their worst racism for the anti-aboriginal outlook this country wallows in
The really efficient anti-aboriginals like to draw in other races to hate the first Australians-- to bolster their ranks.
Ironically the anti-aboriginal vein also verbally stab their new converts in the back when with their peers anyway.
I consider apathy worse than racism,because if the non bigots spoke out,there would be no racism.I freely offer my bigotry to anyone showing racist tendencies.
In other words I treat racists like THEY treat their victims.
Unleashed is bursting with racism.
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Wesley Snipes Passenger 57 :
06 Jun 2009 9:55:26pm
Why sit there whinging on an internet forum then? Get out and just treat everyone with respect, like everyone should.
Honestly, some people need to get out more instead of getting caught up groveling online like this, and thereby getting so wretched and pessimistic.
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Dee Dee :
14 Sep 2009 2:28:51pm
Well said greame. The nation was built on the disposession, murder & rape of traditional owners. Australia has a very evil history indeed. When this is mentioned those in denial revert to "it wasn't me" or using examples of similar wrongs perpertrated in other countries. But this is a standard reaction from someone who does not want to admit a wrong they have done or have benefited from. Its like your father stealing a car & leaving it to you (being fully aware it is stolen)- then when you are caught out & questioned by the owner you blame your father & say you know of others who have done this type of thing & therefore you should keep the car & not have to make recompense to the owner. It then helps that your grandfather is the adjudicator. This is the sick racist joke aboriginal people have to put up with in regard to thier land.
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Just me :
10 Feb 2010 7:10:34pm
Ok then, and what if your neighbour comes across to your house (knowing its a stolen car) and asks to use the vehicle also? Thats effectively what immigrants are doing when they migrate to Aus also (if we want to continue with your flawed example)...
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Jamie :
04 Jun 2009 2:52:32pm
Laki, I'd be most enlightened if you could please point out which nation WAS NOT built on racism and murder of innocent people.
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yen :
05 Jun 2009 2:31:38am
Quote:
"..Laki, I'd be most enlightened if you could please point out which nation WAS NOT built on racism and murder of innocent people...."
But,
don't write it in English!
English is the language of a couple of nations that WERE built on racism and murder of innocent people. ..(like for example UK)
-perhaps you could write it in Gaelic?
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yen :
05 Jun 2009 2:22:58am
Quote:
"...We came and slaughtered, enslaved and destroyed the Indigenous people of this land, and many still have the audacity to discriminate not only against them, but other foreigners too....."
No, 'we' did not.
Perhaps some of your ancestors did, but the people living in Australia today are not guilty of the sins of the your ancestors.
And some of the people living here today have not only arrived recently, they have also in the past been on the receiving end of hostilities from British, Australian and US military forces. Why on earth should they share in the guilt for what happened in Australia long before they came?
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Dee Dee :
14 Sep 2009 2:51:08pm
Yen, I hear what you are saying & you are correct the British are responsible for the wrong doings to the Indigenous people of Australia. But all who came after have surely also benefited in some way from this wrong doing. Do you know the Aboriginal name for the land, language, tribe, sacred areas etc where you live. The names will be thousands of years old. No disrespect as I think you are correct in your observations, but its not all about guilt its about understanding, please dont be like the Australians of British descent & please take a bit of time to understand Australia's Indigenous people & thier plight. You will be much enlightened. With respect.
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Kush :
05 Jun 2009 2:39:53pm
"Racism stems from fear and ignorance, but where does this fear and ignorance stem from? Our leaders obviously"
Our leaders? That's ridiculous. Who exactly are our "leaders"?
I guess for people like you, who follow politics religeously, politicians may be some type of demi-god.
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Random Guy :
16 Feb 2010 12:17:30am
again and again and again with the slaughtering of the indigenous people there have been countless genocides and slaughters have occured throughout history races have lost there homes and land but australia is racist not cos when we came here we tried to assimilate the indiginous people but due to the fact that us in this modern age discriminate against them for our faults.
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Aurelius :
04 Jun 2009 10:40:01am
The difference Cricket is that many of the examples cited are not of extremist fringes. They're of government policy.
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P. Anthony Akkari :
04 Jun 2009 9:30:53am
I think its appropriate that we hold ourselves to high standards and that we are appalled by racism. However to suggest that Australians are racist today to any serious extent is surely not accurate. This society is multicultural and embraces this. I am the son of immigrants and I have not experienced racism from your average white Australian, on the contrary my experience has been that your typical Australian is enthusiastic about other cultures. Growing up in Perth, I remember my friends saying "don't care where your from mate, lets just have a good time and enjoy life". I was lucky to be born and raised in Australia.
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PatrickB :
04 Jun 2009 8:28:40am
Well said Bruce. I think that the majority of Australians are in denial over racism. There are many reports that Australia is viewed as a white enclave by other countries yet we consistently tell ourselves that these people don't know what they are talking about. We need to grow up.
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Raj Menon :
04 Jun 2009 9:13:39am
The subject of racism can be described in many ways. It is an illussion of identity and destiny which leads to violence. I am of Indian origin and have travelled the world. I have lived in places like South Africa where racism was constituionalised. We need to be realistic and be aware that as long as humankind has been around there has been racism. We call it in different ways. The caste system in India was a form of racism. The apartheid system in South Africa is another example. As long as the majority of people realise this and work towards harmony in a multicultural community we will pull through this. And I personally believe that Australia is a wonderful country with the majority of people not racist at all but on the contrary with great accomodating and welcoming hearts to other cultures.
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Assi Milation :
04 Jun 2009 8:19:56am
There isn't a country in the world which is not racist. Often racism is just another word for realism when people are being realistic about acceptiong too many people from cultures and belief systems which do not, will not or cannot assimilate into the good aspects of Australia. Indian students are attacked as much as Austraians on traions and other vunerable areas - as long as someone looks affluent, they will be targeted. And it's a pity we can't deport some of the Yobbo Ozies. Hozat for racism?
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Plebusphere :
04 Jun 2009 7:56:32am
Its a natural normal condition of the human being.
The degrees in which it is expressed is a concern though. Further those that suppress within themselves the lurking racism to an un-natural level by my observation are the ones sowing the bad seed's.
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J. :
04 Jun 2009 7:19:00am
Could someone please tell me where this 'overseas' Nirvana is that is so horrified by the racism of Australian society? What country is this yardstick by which we are judged as racist? I travel a lot & I can't find it.
We have a greater diversity of nationalities & cultures than almost any other country & most of us live very happily together.
I deplore many of the matters which Bruce Haigh raises but I also deplore his hysterical language and conclusion.
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D :
04 Jun 2009 8:45:23am
Could not agree more. I have very close friends from China, Singapore, India, Sri Lanka, Iraq, Iran, Jordan, Palestine and Germany.
Each of them will admit that racism exists in their own country as well. Northern Indians are racist against southern Indians; Sri Lankans are racist against Indians, Hong Kong Chinese are racist against various Chinese groups and vice versa, the list goes on.
I have personally experienced racism from Germans while living in Germany. I was born there, have blond hair but my last name indicates that I originate from Russia. This was enough for me to become a victim of racism while living in Germany. It affected all aspects of my life: schooling, career choices, how I was treated in hospital and so on.
I totally condemn any violence or discrimination against anyone. But it seems to me that we has a human race hate 'the other'. This applies to ALL humans. Nobody is holy.
Australian's are no more racist than other humans.
So, unless each and every member of the human race finally admits that they are no more holy than anyone else when it comes to racism, lets not point fingers at each other. We has humans are innately racist. That includes the victims of racism.
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Sunny :
07 Aug 2009 3:50:04pm
Australian's are no more racist than other humans? I worked in US, Canada, Australia, China, the only country where international students will be beaten up is Australia.
The best way to solve the problem is not hiding it.
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Eric :
04 Jun 2009 6:17:06am
Is Australia racist? ... some people in Australia are, and they are not necassarly Australians.
Australian laws arn't racist.
There are plenty of places in the world where the laws are racist. People who come from these places are some of the people calling Australians racist.
We can do better, but lets keep things in perspective.
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Joon :
04 Jun 2009 9:18:50am
Eric:
Check out the NT Intervention in regards to racist laws
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HRTC :
04 Jun 2009 12:01:32pm
Racism is intended to make someone feel or look inferior. Given that many Aborigines, including those in the NT communities support it, it's hardly racism. Furthermore, the intent was to help them overcome low standards of living related to violence, rape, drugs and alcohol. Regardless of how well it has been achieved, the purpose was certainly not racist.
I suggest you do some thinking next time.
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Joon :
04 Jun 2009 1:39:32pm
HRTC:
When any race is denied a basic human right because of their race then it is racism no matter how you look at it.
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whitefella :
04 Jun 2009 6:42:10pm
The only right being denied is the "right" for Dad or Uncle to blow the whole family's welfare cheque on a night of cards and boozing, every fortnight. Indigenous women and kids support the Intervention and income management.
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Inquisitor666 :
05 Jun 2009 10:38:05pm
whitefella
What generalising, opinionated, made-up crap.
Back it up with some numbers of how many women and children and which communities etc.
And what? Indigenous kids can vote now???
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whitefella :
06 Jun 2009 1:04:00am
How many? The vast majority that I speak to. Ask any community store owner how much more food and clothing is now being purchased: a lot.
What communities? Certainly the ones I know out west including Papunya, Yuendumu, Mt Liebig, Kintore, Haasts Bluff, Hermannsberg, Areyonga, Mt Allen, Laramba, Willowra, Imanpa, Mutitjulu and Docker River.
Who said anything about voting?
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Felix :
05 Jun 2009 4:05:35pm
But if the Intervention (also known as Saving the next generation and beyond)does not apply to all aboriginal people, how is it racist?
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Paula :
04 Jun 2009 1:40:52pm
"the intent was to help them overcome low standards of living related to violence, rape, drugs and alcohol....the purpose was certainly not racist"
Umm, I suggest you do not only some thinking yourself but some serious research and actually look between the lines of that oh so wonderful 'Intervention' (and the new and not so improved 'Working Future') all marketed as being 'for the good of Indigenous peolpes' and dont just blindly accept what you are told.
The fact is no other demographic in this country has such restrictions and conditions forced upon them (and without any real consultation), and if that isnt racism, please enlighten me as to what is?
Violence and rape dont discriminate, but these Government acts and legislation do. Other demographics (unfortunately) also feature violence and rape and the effects of drug and alcohol abuse.
Pray tell, where is the white middle class intervention?
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Otwen :
04 Jun 2009 3:30:39pm
Given that white, middle class women and children aren't being beaten, abused, raped and/or murdered to the same degree as those from NT indigenous communities, an intervention is probably not necessary.
Here's an idea Paula, get yourself a committee and steering party together and start consulting. By 2015 you might at least have a green paper organised...how many more indigenous women and kids will have suffered by then?
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Groucho :
04 Jun 2009 8:42:23pm
Otwen
And are these beatings, abuses,rapes,murders because of the "race of the people" or their circumstances?(Your answer will reveal YOU level of racism)
Previous racism has led to their circumstance,and the current political will to dominate and patronise is just another layer of institutionalised racism. As is the real agenda,which is to control all aboriginal land to get the mineral wealth.
Don't forget,every inch of this nation was stolen from the first occupiers,and that is issue is yet to reach a satisfactory conclusion.
Whitey can throw up all the smoke screens he wants,the train is coming........
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Mr Universe :
05 Jun 2009 11:07:26am
Groncho,enough is enough.You have made it loud & clear.You don't like black people or any other people not of your colour.Pro-slavery,anti-indeginous & anti-democratic.Your masters in Bejing will be proud of you.Use Rudd's free money & give yourself a hammering with legal or illegal substances & leave us alone.What a dribbler.
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Felix :
05 Jun 2009 4:07:51pm
And as long as they (and other bleeding hearts) allow themselves to be victims and seek to blame someone (anyone) else for their problems, they shall remain so.
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Groucho :
06 Jun 2009 1:11:43am
Felix
Do you recognise this?
"Raymond Hannah :
27 May 2009 6:16:54pm
Those who won't help themselves and have perfected the art of living on the backs of others' enterprise eventually reap what they have sown. Cause - effect - and consequence run their course."
It seems you right wing folk have dozens of ID's on Unleashed,to bolster you alleged numbers/relevance.
BUSTED big time.
I have counted eight IDs for you alone.
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Felix :
09 Jun 2009 4:07:06pm
Ah, there's always one.......
Actually groucho, at the risk of making you look like a complete goose, I have only EVER posted under Felix so it brings me to one or three conclusions.
1. You are unable to count
2. You have no idea what you are talking about
3. Your assumptions are easily proven to be incorrect and you're an idiot.
Please grow up and confine your comments to things you can pretend to understand.
Busted? Not at all.
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Felix :
05 Jun 2009 4:06:33pm
Thanks Otwen - saved me from a post. You said it better than I could have anyway! ;-)
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whitefella :
04 Jun 2009 6:45:09pm
And that is exactly what indigenous leaders Marcia Langton and Alice Anderson say: For it to be racist, the intention must be to cause harm. The Intervention has created far more good outcomes than bad.
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Felix :
05 Jun 2009 4:09:21pm
That would be NT Minister Alison Anderson I presume? If so, I agree. She has been a very strong advocate for the policy of income quarantining.
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whitefella :
06 Jun 2009 1:11:23am
Yes. Alice Anderson represents a new generation of indigenous leader that is serious about her people assuming responsibility for their lives and moving forward. She has little time for the whining of middle class white urban lefties and wants practical solutions. The Intervention may not be perfect, but its the best initiative we've seen in a long time.
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awareness is the key :
04 Jun 2009 2:23:42am
I don't agree with the generalisations in this article. However, it's good to finally start having thought-provoking discussions about who "we" are, especially as we recover from the post-Howard era and deal with increasing pressures from globalisation.
Here are my own random observations, which are familiar to many no doubt:
1 - australians just dont understand the refugee issue. they think there is some queue out there in afghanistan etc and feel that we are being swamped, when statistics say anything but. if you dont know any refugees then go and talk to one and find out what the hell is going on. they dont want handouts from you believe me.
2 - positively, go to any refugee community event and you'll find committed australians, and yes, usually of anglo-celtic background, defending these people. it's inspiring to see people doing, while the rest are just having a good old whinge. educate yourselves.
3 - 1st generation southern european migrants who have made tremendous contributions to this country and put up with racist taunts came on boats in the 1950s. they love this country but at the same time complain about newer boat people. i've tried to explain the irony of this to them. more work required.
4 - even more ridiculous, people in the sutherland shire, having lived there for a maximum of 200 years, mostly less, telling australian born kids from the next locality that it's not their beach. and then a few bangladeshis got attacked as well during that shameful day. were they listening in australian history class, do they know the world map?
5 - a young lebanese man abused me at a football game many years ago. a drunk anglo australian threatened me in a pub - do I draw conclusions from either? based on what statistics? idiots come in all colours
6 - penny wong is a senior minister in the australian government, victor chang, frank lowie, marie bashir, morrie iemma, steve bracks etc. migrant communities have very high mobility in this country - it's a beautiful thing to see and something we can be proud of
7 - we are in asia and it's the asian century. let's get with the program and learn mandarin, bahasa and Japanese instead of french- let's have a decent go at trying to understand our partners in the region, and not just going there to ski, surf or jus pissed. why do young australians go to cold, expensive england when there are far more interesting and different places within a few hours flight from here?
8 - i know plenty of people who have got bashed of all backgrounds, and by people of all backgrounds. Assault in this country (like with the Indian students) is not often a racial issue as much as it is a law and order, alcohol issue for example.
9 - importantly, howard divided us and set our country back 15 years. but it was under hawke and keating that our debates about immigration and population growth were no
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Jupiter :
04 Jun 2009 11:01:31am
"7 - we are in asia and it's the asian century. let's get with the program and learn mandarin, bahasa and Japanese instead of french- let's have a decent go at trying to understand our partners in the region, and not just going there to ski, surf or just pissed."
You have obviously never studied geography. Australia isn't part of Asia. ALL of Asia is in the Northern Hemisphere. Tokyo is closer to London than Sydney. London is closer to Dubai than Brisbane is to Jakarta. Melbourne is 9100km from Beijing.
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MarK :
04 Jun 2009 12:35:56pm
Well mr smarty pants
You have obviously never studied geography.
'ALL of Asia is in the Northern Hemisphere'
And then you even go to mention an asian captial city that is NOT in the Northern Hemisphere
Australia is far away from Everything... so that point is moot.
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Groucho :
04 Jun 2009 8:44:23pm
MarK
Go easy on Jupiterd,he's from another planet.
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Observer :
16 Dec 2009 3:20:57am
On the 04 Jun 2009 11:01:31am, Jupiter wrote:
"ALL of Asia is in the Northern Hemisphere."
Indonesia is a Southeast Asian nation straddled on two hemispheres. The bulk of its archipelago, including its capital Jakarta (6°12'S 106°48'E), reside in the Southern Hemisphere.
Quite obviously you never studied geography ...
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Alicej :
04 Jun 2009 11:18:54am
Whether we like it or not we have to clean up our act in order to live in a country free from being knifed and murdered on our own streets, sometimes just for being there.
Some of it is from joblessness and the perception that other people have it better, some to preserve 'territory', some from the bombed out drug and alcohol addicts that trawl our streets.
Yes there was racial abuse of the Indigenous groups, but you could travel safely on the night train, or walk back to one's house without getting mugged.
The attack mode is quite fashionable amongst today's night wanderers and until that ethos becomes unfashionable, we will soon be confined
to a pre Victorian lifestyle
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Paul :
04 Jun 2009 2:03:33am
I moved to Australia from England in 2002 under the false pretence that it was some idilic paradise and was absolutely horrified by the way people referred to different racial groups. I left 4 years later and am now fully appreciteive of my own Country; and I never thought that I would say that. Good luck
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1mate :
04 Jun 2009 3:24:07pm
Paul: Please remember to write from England and tell us all about the total demise of democracy there wont you?
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Groucho :
04 Jun 2009 8:45:40pm
1mate
The truth smarts a tad,dunnit?
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john in brisbane :
04 Jun 2009 1:17:15am
Its pretty true I reckon. And for most people who might say otherwise, its a bit like the first time you think, "Well australian's don't have an accent" and then travel and find out we do.
Its late so a few tired comments. I am dog tired and feeling prescriptive – sorry.
Racism is one of the many traps of human nature I reckon - like thinking kids are getting worse when you are aging, like seeking evidence to only confirm your opinions. Like supporting the blues in state of origin. But like all of them, a knowledge of the existence and then the pursuit of the enlightened mind is the way to combat racism. Not talking about religion either - I mean learning to understand who you are, where you are and the improbable gift we of just being here. It is the tormented, miserable, barely conscious mind that gives in to the basic animal stuff I reckon. Or me when I am tired. We all do it one way or another.
We are set up to definitely fail multiculturally. If fair dinkum, all Aussies would be assigned families and individuals as they come here to mentor them, show them around, introduce them to people, clubs etc. Like we are one big country town and there is a new family moving in and we are all on the social committee. There would be no or little ghetto-isation, a lot more understanding. The way it is now is perfect for racist people because it will fail (and is) and they will be able to say in that reassuringly sensible sounding way they do, "see, its not that we hate them, its just that it didn't work out".
I think everyone needs (Needs!) to travel - get out of the country, live with other people in exchanges between families etc. Every kid a few times during school, every family every 3 to 5 years. Every kid must get fluent in another language I reckon. Go walkabout too. One years surplus would have gotten the ball running - a few less plasma TVs but an incalculable improvement in the national psyche I reckon. Ideas, cross marrying, new recipes :-) I had to be practically dragged, despite wanting to in theory and it changed me for the better. And I did not have a bad beer in pommy land. Sad but true. They are still poms though. I know that because I met many and had a great time. The Frenchies too - don't believe what you have heard.
Whatever it take to show people that we are all in this together is what we must do I reckon. It will get even worse though I fear. The one who won the war rested on their laurels when the real fight was only just beginning. But it all seems insurmountable or nonexistent. Like a lot of things.
911 was a pebble dropped in an overcrowded pond. some of this is the ripples.
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pacman :
04 Jun 2009 12:47:45am
Sure we're racist. Why not? Have you ever talked with Indians about the cultural resentment of those from the wealthy Mumbai, or with Chinese about Shanghainese?
There are two elements; firstly the economic disadvantage, secondly, the search for a politically correct angle that can be used to attack that disadvantage in a politically correct manner.
As a for instance, USA talks about 9/11, Chinese talk about 6/4. The elephant in the room in both cases is fear.
To condradict my own argument...sorry, there is no racism, just politics and economics. In all my life, I have never met a racist but I have met alot of people that are scared about their economic security and want to blame another's religion or culture for their fear or disadvantage...white, pink, yellow or whatever.
Racism is an easy excuse for both sides of the fence. it's not racism, it's competition. That doesn't make it more right or more wrong, it's just more true.
Let's play soccer :D
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Alan :
04 Jun 2009 12:43:05am
Your right Bruce
Australia must be one of the most racist and bigoted countries in the world far worse than Somalia where different ethnic, political and religious groups are killing each other. Far worse the countries like the US and Germany with their white supremacist and\or radical right wing religious groups. And certainty worse than China's state and UN sanctioned persecution of minority ethnic and religious groups.
I think all "other" counties in the world should petition the UN to sanction an intervention. Then US and their allies (in their righteous indignation) can come in and bomb Australia back into the stone age. Of course there would be no ulterior motives like gaining access to Australia's natural resources. I think a 10-20% loss of the population could be justified, I mean God stands on the right hand of the suitably righteous, doesn't he\her\it.
Then the different ethnic and religious groups can be separated and placed in walled enclaves, for their own good. That way these Australian racists, these devils can not infect\infest the rest of humanity.
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TheNomad :
04 Jun 2009 12:16:18am
Bruce, you're right on the mark!
Australia's racism is cultural. Some individuals are die hard racists, others are not, like everywhere, but the culture is.
If you compare the colonizing powers Britain, the Netherlands, France, Spain and Portugal, you'll notice that:
- the British never married the natives.
- The Portuguese intermingled quite happily (see Brazil, East-Timor)
The other 3 countries were somewhere between these 2 poles.
The only countries who vote against the UN resolution stating that the land belongs to its native people were the US, Canada, Australia and New-Zealand, all of anglo culture. By contrast, none of the South American countries, with a Spanish-Portuguese dominance culture, voted for.
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Jupiter :
04 Jun 2009 11:05:29am
The British frequently intermarried in India and produced millions of Anglo Indians.
The Portuguese murdered millions of Amerinidians in Brazil.
Eat Timor and Mozambique are two of the poorest countries in the world due to Portuguese maldministration.
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yen :
05 Jun 2009 2:51:14am
Quote:
"..The only countries who vote against the UN resolution stating that the land belongs to its native people were the US, Canada, Australia and New-Zealand, all of anglo culture. ..."
How interesting.
So, the Anglo-Saxons in the UK think the land belongs to the Celts.
??
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Kush :
05 Jun 2009 2:39:47pm
You won't find too many full blooded Kurri, Maori or (US)Native Americans. So...
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Bruce :
04 Jun 2009 12:12:52am
A lot of commentary from sad losers here. Get over it, racism will never vanish anywhere. Australia's done it best over everyone so far though. Australian (and Canadian) cities are still regarded as the most livable in the world. So the only options you've got to 100% escape the issue of racism are probably Antarctica or Space.
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Earle Qaeda :
04 Jun 2009 8:44:30am
"Get over it, racism will never vanish anywhere."
?? Well Bruce I agree with that except I think you should add an 'entirely' in there. Also the ease with which such a statement can be tossed about & coupled with a denegrating "...sad losers..." belies a subtle denial of intolerance. Have a look at the post furtehr below from Johno (June 3rd).
"Australia's done it best over everyone so far though. Australian (and Canadian) cities are still regarded as the most livable in the world."
You've been reading too many local newspapers. There are some wonderful scenes of acceptance throughout the place but overall, there remains an underlying tone of 'whiteness' that rules this nation. Another post to check - Pacman above on June 4th. He/she puts it in economic terms which is probably the real fuse.
But I have to laugh at your "liveable cities" quip. I thrashed around Sydney in my youth & went on to spend sevral devades in LA. As silly as that place can be, I must admit to feeling more vulnerable when visiting Sydney these days. The same goes for some of the NSW regional centres I have seen on Saturday nights.
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HRTC :
04 Jun 2009 12:08:14pm
I don't believe you paranoid delusions are related to the issue at hand. LA can be pretty dangerous too. I suppose since I'm Jewish if I got attacked there, it would be a racist country too?
The 3 million people in Sydney enjoy a high-quality of life in every aspect compared to people in many other countries. Australia has one of the highest HDI's in the world. So yes, it is very liveable.
Get over yourself.
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earle qaeda ®:
04 Jun 2009 8:10:49pm
Paranoid delusions? Nah. That's for those folks who believe Oz is such a sainted friendly place. And yes, LA has some nasty dangerous places. It's just a bit of a shocker to find the ol' home town has much the same. My point is that despite being such a liveable place with lots & lots of HDI's everywhere, there is still a prevalent tone that sound sagainst multi-culturalism. Maybe soemday someone will create a way to formally measure it & publish it on an "index."
And being Jewish, if you were attacked anywhere I assume it could easily be suggested as racially motivated. Unless your attacker really knew you of course. I'll go now.
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Wesley Snipes Passenger 57 :
04 Jun 2009 3:39:54pm
I think he means if you just shut up, get on with life, and weren't so gripey and PC you won't attract and wallow in negativity like that? You won't need to whinge on internet forums?
I won't deny racism is a part of Australia's history. And there are still pangs of racism in public affairs. But in modern day 2000s Australia, it's been shed off enough so personally I've just got on with people and got on with life, as everyone should do. Wallowing on the internet like Bruce Haigh is unconstructive.
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Mimi :
04 Jun 2009 12:04:48am
Whether or not we think we are racist, the rest of the world certainly believes we are. Think White Australia policy, Stolen Generation, Pauline Hanson, Tampa, Cronulla Riots, and now the targeting of Indian students. Our Asian neighbours are highly aware of this aspect of Australian culture and values. Images of Tampa and Cronulla were shown on television sets throughout the world. The recent movie "Australia", while not a box-office wonder, certainly spread the story of the Stolen Generation. Our reputation precedes us wherever we go. When my father came to this country as a student under the Colombo Plan 50 years ago, people who had advertised rooms to rent would close their front door in his face when they saw that he was Indian. Not much has changed for his countrymen, except that now the racism is violent.
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Barnesy :
03 Jun 2009 11:43:46pm
Whereas I agree with much in this article, it is blind eyed and one sided. Articles like this generalising only one point of view are nearly as bad as the other side being blind in their prejudices.
Yes there is racism. Some very deliberate, open and blatant. Much of it is subtle, inferred and psychological.
But the majority of people accept other races openly, even if they don't understand them. This is the part of the issue that this article has lost.
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Jupiter :
03 Jun 2009 11:36:06pm
The "Amigos" jokes weren't about Sol being a Mexican but about Sol and his sidekicks being incompetent AMERICANS.
The 'Three Amigos' was a 1980s comedy about three bumbling unemployed American silent movie actors who are recruited by a poor Mexican village to rescue them from bandits.
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yen :
05 Jun 2009 2:57:26am
Quote:
"..The "Amigos" jokes weren't about Sol being a Mexican but about Sol and his sidekicks being incompetent AMERICANS. ..."
That's alright then.
Americans are fair game all year round.
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Jay :
03 Jun 2009 11:15:54pm
Agree with you 80%
I also think that some white folk just can't relate to people of other races.
I guess its because Australia is 92% Caucasian.
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Felix :
05 Jun 2009 4:15:27pm
I also think that many non-white folk just don't understand white people either.
Let's face it - there are elemnts of Australian society that encourage racist practices regardless of their background or heritage. The argument that only white Australians are racist is proof that many live in a fantasy land.
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Just me :
10 Feb 2010 5:30:04am
Ha...92%??? Not where I live and work...its the complete opposite.
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outcast :
03 Jun 2009 11:15:51pm
It goes without saying that only white anglo/celtic Australians are racist. All other foreigners entering Australia leave their prejudices in the land of their birth & become pc!
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D.B. Valentine :
03 Jun 2009 10:52:47pm
Its a fact that in any country there is an element of the community who is racist. Australia is no different. Racism in Oz is embedded within its History just as the notions of the fair go & egalitarianism.
Unfortunately we now have a generation of young people who grew up under the Howard Government where old school racist attitudes were projected and propagated through its lack of social policy & vision.
Ironically it was under Howard, Universities had to become more "internationally competitive" thus had to sell our University services to the overseas market. They cut the VSU & in turn funded campus activities & thus now no interaction between international students & local ones. Add to the the GFC, the anxiety over the environment etc etc. What we have basically is a recipe for the ugly side of Australia to raise its ugly head again. Who's the latest target/scapegoat? The "other" as usual.
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yen :
05 Jun 2009 3:06:16am
Quote:
"..Its a fact that in any country there is an element of the community who is racist. ..."
Of course, if you as a tourist in Alice Springs witness some Arunta people beat up some Pitjanjarra people it cannot be 'racist'.
It's just because some silly mob don't like another silly mob.
-but not racist.
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Felix :
05 Jun 2009 4:19:18pm
Well said yen. The inter-clan divisions (fighting, violence etc) among aboriginal people is seen as a cultural practice. Governments even bow to small vocal minorties and duplicate services to placate them - at huge expense.
When white people demonstrate the same feelings towards their indigneous brethren or recently arrived migrants, it's seen as racist.
Funny that.
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Jimbo :
03 Jun 2009 9:49:05pm
Every single person in the world is racist or some sort of phobic. Usually the people who sling the word racist at some-one else are the most racist of all. Look at those in our country who immigrate here, then live in enclaves and refuse to assimilate. When something doesn't go thier way, out comes the "racism" card.
Australians will give anyone a go regardless of their origin. that is unless they want to change the way things are to suit themselves.
As for the politically correct bleeding hearts who seem to have all these "nice" words to sling about, like "racist", "homophobe" etc. You lot are just a bunch of wankers!
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outcast :
04 Jun 2009 2:01:23pm
On my first visit to Melbourne recently I went into a store where the only language I didn't hear was English.
So much for becoming an Australian!
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tomsacold :
03 Jun 2009 9:10:29pm
I am...
you are not...
We are never...
In this climate of post 2001 fear of 'the other', the label racism is to hide the reality of our tribalism. In Australia, from the national to the personal, we are a pack of tribes, who loathe and fear, all who are not part of the tribe. Tolerance happens when we're drunk slightly. Heavily drunk and we look at difference and shoot to kill.
I am
you are
we Are - Australian.
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Groucho :
03 Jun 2009 8:31:09pm
Yep Australia is racist to the max.
But worse it is even more "Anti-aboriginal".Must be a guilt thing.
Brushing racism aside with the larrikin excuse is limp.Not speaking out when you hear racist comments or witness the bigoted behaviour is cowardly and makes the avoider an accomplice.
Racism is yet another form of bullying.
We are a country of deniers,tall poppy harvesters apathy and "I am no a racist but.....attitudes.
Unleashed is rife with them.
In fact at the end of this blog there will be a direct correlation between the people who deny climate change and those who deny we are racist in Oz.
That said- Trujillo probably only played the racism card to take the heat of his blatant theft and false pretences act.
If he has some substantial accusation,he should have made it when here.
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blax5 :
04 Jun 2009 1:38:25pm
He never missed a board meeting of Target in the US. He wasn't really fully here, except for holding out both hands at the end of the financial year.
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Johnf :
03 Jun 2009 8:30:34pm
What exactly is racism? Pauline Hanson was not racist; she was xenophobic and she was assimilationist. These are attitudes shared by a great many Australians without any real malice. The predominant feeling seems to me to be "so long as they think like me and behave like me, it doesn't much matter what they look like". I take each person as I find him/her. This is learned behaviour. I still find myself feeling a little distrust if I meet someone with, for example, a Muslim name. This is some sort of genetic memory and I am a little ashamed that I must make a greater effort to find common ground. I know that I am unlikely to form a life-long bond of friendship with a fundamentalist in any religion, so I am to some extent culturalist. The least (and sometimes, sadly, the most) I can do is extend courtesy to those I meet and, if I find I cannot tolerate their culture, at least do no harm to them. "Live and let live" might be a cliche, but it's the best we've got.
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Concerned :
03 Jun 2009 7:48:24pm
A real racist country would not have reported or even pay attention to any of the attacks, and the government wouldn't discuss or do anything else to help. Many people get attacked on trains and unfortunately these thugs have started targeting Indian students. After awhile they'll start targeting Asian students or Europeans, flavor of the month for these ratbags. Students are good targets for any thief it doesn't matter where you come from.
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Karl Gobba :
04 Jun 2009 11:13:26am
What do you mean "After a while they'll start targeting Asian students or ....."
Coupled with the preceeding sentence, you are implying that a)Indian students are not asian, and that b) Asian students have not been targeted previously!!
You are obviously from the "It never happened" brigade.
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Felix :
05 Jun 2009 4:21:07pm
Lets not forget - there was no reporting of the ethnicity of these little thugs for some time.
Much better to run with the 'Australia is racist' headline.
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Stu Cazzo :
03 Jun 2009 7:12:26pm
ALL Australians are racists!!
I learned some new words from my "Aussie" friends shortly after I immigrated to Australia.....Ding, Wog, Smack, Abo, Pommey and so on.
Get real Australia, you people are racist bastards!
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Felix :
05 Jun 2009 4:24:01pm
Harden up Stu. Being called a white c..t isn't pleasant either but you just get on with life.
Try living in the NT or Nth Qld as a whitefella. You will very quickly experience racism - and don't get me started on the 'reverse-racism' bullshit. It's racism regardless of the colour or ethinicity of the person making the comments. Or are you one of the bleeding heart apologists that thnks only white people can be racists?
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DannyS :
06 Jun 2009 9:23:22pm
After you've been here a bit longer Stu you might get to experience the real picture of racism in this country. It's everywhere!
We claim to be a multicultural society, well the government does so on our behalf, but try going into an enclave of people from other than Anglo-Saxon ethnicity and see what happens to you. It's not pretty.
If you happen to own a small business in an area that has a growing population from one of the far flung corners of the world you should get out while you have the chance.
One of the most common ways of getting rid of a shop owner who is a 'skip'(Aussie=Kangaroo=Skip as in the TV show of the late 1970's- Skippy The Bush Kangaroo) is to crowd the shop with non-paying customers so that passersby will assume that it will take too long to be served and will pass by. Sorry, no sale! The lease holder can't pay the lease and surprise, surprise, someone comes along with an offer the owner can't refuse.
Then there is the other method of just invading the shop and trashing everything in sight with a couple of lookouts outside to warn the trashers of police sirens heading their way.
So yes, there are a lot of 'racist bastards' here. White, yellow, brown, black, all the colours of the spectrum.
But it is not all doom and gloom.
In my suburb there was something of a 'turf war' a few years back when persons whose language is written in Cyrillic characters attempted to take over the pavement cafes.
They were roundly defeated by those who have a southern european swarthiness to their complexion and a latin heritage, not to mention much better coffee.
Borscht and Piroshki somehow don't have the same appeal to me as Osso Bucco or Panettone with Zabaglione. And it comes with a smile and not a grunt.
Does that make me racist?
I'm of Anglo-Celtic heritage by the way.
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Hudson Godfrey :
03 Jun 2009 7:04:46pm
I think we tend to have come to tolerate xenophobia as a nation in a way that we should not have continued to condone for so long. When you talk about racism then in fairness perhaps acknowledge that the slang for people who are most alike the white Australian majority is often considered playful chiding when words like Pommie and Kiwis who take all the sheep shagging jokes in good humour have seemingly less impact then any of those terms we know to be the real racist epithets. The "N" word in America above all cannot be spoken by a white person so egregious is the connotation. So ignoring the language and looking to the meaning behind it do we begin to think that the degree to which people look and act different somehow determines the character and serious of racism?
Of course we are racist in this country. Not all of us but some always and many from time to time or selectively against groups they're most challenged by for whatever reason. If we allow the xenophobic urge that feeds an undercurrent of racism to go unchecked then we're really watering down the definition of racism to pick and choose only the more extreme examples while excusing a range of minor transgressions. You know the ones, the suspicion that all people of middle eastern appearance are terrorists and the urge to cross the road to avoid a person of colour, persistent anti-Semitism and referring to Chinese as chinks or Indigenous people and boongs out of earshot. You thought you got away with it but the psyche of a nation labours under the misapprehension that boats will come from the North to afflict us with a yellow race or similarly dusky refugees who are perennially unwelcome. It excuses treating them indecently and ignoring their plight wherever possible so that politicians can act tough and win a few votes. Imagine looking instead into the eyes of your fellow man as you tell him then that the accident of his birth determines his fate as you wash your hands of him once and for all.
Perhaps we should be less of "proud Australians" secure in out birthright and try harder until we shake of the shame of that sort of racism.
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whitefella :
03 Jun 2009 6:22:17pm
There is racism in Australia because there is racism everywhere, it is an attribute of human beings in general, not Australians or white people in particular. To argue otherwise is racist and just stupid.
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pjay :
03 Jun 2009 6:11:15pm
The author writes about "crude sledging" on the recent cricket tour of India. Well, I didn't hear any allegations of racist remarks by Aussie players on the 2008 tour. Does Bruce know something the rest of us dont.
And no, I haven't received or seen ugly text messages relating to Aborigines, Muslims etc.
To say that "Hawke and Keating maintained, and in some areas increased, policies of public decency toward........refugees" beggars belief since the policy of mandatory detention was actually introduced by the Keating government in 1992.
Undoubtedly there is racism in Australia - as there is everywhere - but Bruce's poorly-researched arguments add nothing to the debate.
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Kirsten W :
03 Jun 2009 6:11:00pm
I am white, but not Anglo-saxon - and I go through hell while working in Australia - just because I speak English with a different accent.
What puzzles me - other countries I worked in do not talk about multiculture etc - and at the same time I felt more accepted there, not laughed at, not discriminated...
In general - it is extremely racist country. English still have power, rule this country - but it will change - and I hope all those Anglo-saxon australians will be brought to justice for what they did and do to everyone who's not one of them - but especially the Aboriginals! What the Anglo-saxons did to them is simply a crime and saying sorry is not enough. Nazis were judged at the end of the WWII - so should be Anglo-saxons including their queen.
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Kush :
05 Jun 2009 2:39:35pm
So which utopic heritage do you have that gives you the right to make such a racist comment against Anglo-Saxons?
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Just me :
10 Feb 2010 5:15:15am
Its interesting to note that there is not much concrete proof that this 'stolen generation' actually existed!!
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Johno :
03 Jun 2009 5:59:49pm
Nice summary.
I use to live in Darwin and travelled down the Stuart Hwy to Adelaide a fair bit. Darwin was cosmopolitan - hotels had only one front bar and we all drank together. Colour didn't register.
The trip south was also a bit of a pub crawl (well it was hot out there!). By Adelaide River you could see a bit of awkwardness. By Catherine the pub had white fella and black fella bars sort of in the main building. By Tennent Creek the black fella bar was a fold out tin awning out the back and they would refuse to serve me out there (because of the prices). By Alice it was take-away only if you were Aboriginal and guys in swb toyotas would actually aim at the poor buggers on the footpaths. This was seen as acceptable behaviour by some of the folk at the John Flynn Memorial church by the way. South of the border I would lose my thirst and by Porta Gutta there was complete segregation, neither seen nor heard.
So sorry, but I lose all respect for those who deny the existence of overt, covert, institutionalised racism in this country.
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whitefella :
03 Jun 2009 7:15:35pm
I have lived in Alice Springs for 10 years and have never seen anything remotely like what you describe.
Using the ability to consume alcohol as a yardstick for racism is unfortunate. Nothing is killing Aboriginal people and obliterating their culture quicker than the "right" to consume alcohol.
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blackfella :
04 Jun 2009 12:07:21am
There are none so blind, whitefella....
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Felix :
05 Jun 2009 4:26:08pm
Trust me blackfella, those local boys in Alice are blind most of the time.........
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Johno :
04 Jun 2009 8:27:07am
Well I have seen you sunshine, or at least some of your many brothers.
But my point remains: open your friggin' heart....
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Hudson Godfrey :
03 Jun 2009 7:30:50pm
You're not wrong Johno,
I've been and seen the lay of the land in the North there and Katherine was clearly where the rot set in. You get down to Broome before you feel it might be be fading a bit. On best behaviour for the tourists!
I dunno what good it does to reflect but I've also some friends and family up in Darwin and it comes across that condemning the whites whose efforts to help have often been well intended is also somewhat unhelpful. True we've spent more than equal time hiding our misdeeds of the past but the result seems to be that neither group is reconciled to the other. The depth of the sense of difference between the black and European communities is palpable and such mistrust exists there that it seems insurmountable.
Here in the south we have time to think of it and regret perhaps what we have lost and could have learned from a culture our forbears may have helped to destroy. Up there your confronted with the modern version of a different culture that's not so good. Its something so closed off to our experience that I don't presume understanding.
I can only conclude by agreeing with you that the lack of improvement speaks to institutionalised neglect. Even if racism is at the root of it in ways that are very seldom evident that level of neglect speaks to inequity that our indigenous leaders would easily be forgiven for associating with racist motives. We have to do better then that.
I know I probably come across as a weepy lefty but from the back blocks of Katherine to Fitzroy crossing being an aboriginal from what I saw really sucks and I was ashamed of it. Last time in Broome we watched ten canoes in the open air cinema and we're charmed by it of course. Then you have to make your way back to your vehicle passing the First Australians drinking on the oval and wonder why?
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Johno :
04 Jun 2009 1:47:37pm
But its not all bad. Mixed in with the miserable racist bastards are good people (everywhere you go)
Renner Springs is/was a shell roadhouse on the Stuart Hwy north of 3 Ways. It was then run by a couple of blokes from Sydney, a bit like Pricsilla if you get my drift. I was working and did an overnight there and saw something wonderful.
It was the night the 9mm movie man came. So they cleared the tables and lined up the chairs and the bar filled up with truckers and the surrounding station families plus all the young aboriginal stockmen.
They played Born Free. You know: Africa, other black fellas, wildlife, lions, elephants, the works. Most of these kids had not seen african animals before and the oohs and ahhs and giggles were a joy to be part of. By the end of the first reel they were all down the front, cross legged on the floor with the children. Stubbies and cigarettes left on the bar. Best night I have ever had.
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Earle Qaeda :
03 Jun 2009 5:56:08pm
It's not so much that we are rascist that bothers me. After all, there are xenophobic responses in many cultures & ours is still evolving. Unfortunate slurs & actions by boorish individuals or regressive groups is one thing, but having rascist attitudes expressed by those with official responsibilities (govt or media) shows us where we really are.
Case in point, regarding those unfortuneate Indian lads last week. The Victorian Police Commissioner mouthed off on tv that as they were "soft targets & likely to carrry large amounts of cash, mp3 players, computers etc" they should consider not travelling alone or late at night. In other words, when Indian students get beaten up it's their own fault. What an embarrassment. Of course he took a few days off to rewrite his piece but we heard him the first time.
Another thought about the big R. Is it a result of the class system we inherited from the poms? In the pioneering days you might get the shaft from the toffs & authorities but at least you could knock the blacks & Chinese about. These days we're as egalitarian as they come unless someone arrives here by a means other than Qantas. Or they want to build an usual school on a rural block near you. The French say "Vive la Difference!" In Australia it seems we just want to kick 'la difference's arse.
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DannyS :
03 Jun 2009 8:33:42pm
That's your interpretation Earle.
Mine is that the Police Commissioner was not mouthing off, but subtly stating to the 'soft targets' that they should stop being soft targets and expect the same violence that is metered out night after night to people of any race and act accordingly.
White, brown or black makes no different to the predators who are waiting for the next victim.
Age doesn't matter either. School children are held up at knife point and have their laptops and wallets taken from them regularly. And that is in the daytime.
Travelling alone and late at night invites assault. It shouldn't, but it does. Get over it Earle. My wallet, MP3 player and loose change are just as likely to be taken from me as yours are.
And who would seriously expect that not arriving here on a Qantas plane invites some sort of racial villification or violence?
I wouldn't fly Qantas myself because there is every chance that the bloody plane won't get off the ground for interminable hours because the thing has been serviced, inadequately, offshore and breaks down on its way to the take-off runway!
The French may say 'Vive la Difference' and then bludgeon British lorry drivers who dare to follow European Union rules that allow cross border transport of livestock.
The drivers may be white, brown or black, but whatever their 'color' still get kicked up the arse and often worse.
It's not hugely difficult to pay attention to what happens in the society you choose to live in is it?
Turn on the TV, maybe read a newspaper now and then.................
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JLC :
03 Jun 2009 9:33:50pm
unfortunately, everyone who is assaulted in recent years is subject to this soft-soaping. The matter of indians being assaulted has brought this subject to the fore becaseu there's a lot of money involved in their presence in Australia.
What is not discussed too much is that the indidans,(like many others in melbourne) have been assaulted by mixed-race gangs, notably black Africans. Samoans and Asians have also featured heavily, and it appears that in the city of monash, the odd gang of twelve year-olds (races not noted) have been doing this too.
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Just me :
10 Feb 2010 5:08:03am
There's also a lot of money involved when Indians claim to be victims. They are eligible for Victims of Crime from our Government and also compensation from the Indian Government.
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Onion :
03 Jun 2009 11:51:47pm
Overwhelmingly People get attacked because they appear vulnerable - plain and simple. Most attacks are opportunistic and not premeditated. Anyone travelling alone or carrying valuables is at risk of attack.
The most dangerous place in the world per capita is Palm Island. The victims are aborigines attacked by aborigines from rival clans.
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graeme :
04 Jun 2009 8:21:52pm
or coppers
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yen :
05 Jun 2009 3:21:09am
Quote:
"..The French say "Vive la Difference!".."
But,
they were not talking about race, when they said it, were they?
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bitrich :
03 Jun 2009 5:55:01pm
You ought to get out more, Bruce. You'll find racists everywhere -from rugby league games to the Melbourne Club. You'll also find people who abhor racism - at rugby league games and in the Melbourne Club.'Australia is a racist nation' is a stupid generalisation.
How many asylum seekers do you want arriving by boat, Bruce?
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Marilyn :
03 Jun 2009 11:44:34pm
Who cares how many refugees come on boats to claim asylum from persecution? What does it matter? They can land in a hot air balloon, come on a jumbo or sail it is all perfectly legal under Australian law.
So what is your problem?
Only 1% of the world's refugees leave and seek asylum in the west, 1 %of that 1% come here and only 4% of that 1% come on boats.
I ask again, what is your problem?
All of this nation was settled by boat people and they didn't ask the aborigines how many could come.
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bitrich :
04 Jun 2009 7:27:12am
My problem is that many in the open border lobby refuse to nominate how many people this country should carry. They get on a high moral horse if others think that having hundreds, if not thousands of people taking to leaky boats is a bad idea.
It doesn't bother me if open border lobbyists like you are upfront in that you don't see a problem with unregulated immigration.
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Othello Cat :
04 Jun 2009 8:55:38am
Who said anything about "open borders" bitrich? *Othello Cat presses the "Strawman Alert" button*.
Marylin's comment related to your curious obessesion about an immigrant's mode of travel.
You seem to have a problem with "boat people". You clearly know that it is a perjorative.
"Boat people" is a euphamism for people from what Dame Edna calls "tinted countries".
You have not answered Marylin's legitimate question but, like a politician doing a door-stop, you have merely blurted out an ad hom attack("open border lobbyists like you").
So answer the question; what is your problem with "boat" people?
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bitrich :
04 Jun 2009 12:01:43pm
I have a problem with unregulated immigration and the apologists who jump on anyone who question it. In my view we have a generous system for genuine refugees, others will disagree. At least Marilyn is upfront that she (?) doesn't mind how many come.
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Mimi :
09 Jun 2009 6:22:46pm
Not sure what you consider to be a genuine refugee, bitrich. Of the thousands of "illegal immigrants" (not my words) who arrived here during the years that Howard used this issue to win elections, more than 90% were found to be genuine refugees and were ultimately settled here, a fact which the media under Howard were instructed to keep off the front pages. Do you honestly think there is an orderly queue out there, especially in countries where we don't even have an embassy?
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Just me :
10 Feb 2010 4:49:18am
Its because the Aborigines had nothing to give the early settlers! Silly analogy there my friend. There is a H U G E difference between settling somewhere and creating a country/economy compared to immigrating somewhere and expecting a free ride.
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Interested :
03 Jun 2009 5:52:10pm
It is good to see a inward looking article. Australia does have it's racist and it is particularly bad. I am a Australian born Muslim and have the appearance of a white Anglo Saxon Australian, apart from my name no one would have a clue of my religious background. I can not tell you how many times during a job interviews that the interviewers have made a comment regarding relief over concern of my communication skills. I have also used a pseudo-name on my resume from time to time and got an increase with the number of interviews.
I also worked as a bouncer in the night clubs for 10 years, we were informed by management not to let the aboriginals in, if we did then we would be looking for a new job. I couldn't believe this. It wasn't until I over-heard a few patrons comment about not returning when they saw aboriginals inside the club that I finally realised the manager didn't care about the race, it was all about the cash. We need to do better.
I have found that not all Australians are racist, the ones who are not raciest are brilliant.
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Magpie :
03 Jun 2009 5:48:12pm
I don't believe "all Australian's are racist" and think it very far from the truth. I believe that there are people from other cultures/nationalities who come to live in Australia and have their own personal issues with 'other' cultures/nationalities living in Australia. A lot of these people come from other countries and bring with them their own differences and believe it okay to live in Australia as they did do in their previously lived country.
My friends sometime call me "Stupid Wog" when I've done something silly, but this is a term of endearment, not a racist comment, but to call my Father a Wog, would be from him, a racist term. He came to Australia in the late 50's and 'suffered' the Wog slang and still to this day, take offense to the word.
With the vast numbers of multiculturalism within this country, majority of people in this country work/eat/play with all types of nationalities. If we are not racist to our co-workers, chances are we are not racist at all. We might get a bee in our bonnet that one person is given more rights etc over another person and I believe rightfully so, should be challenged. All people whether you are black, white or green are equal and everyone should be treated so. No preferences to anyone regardless of race/colour or ethnic background.
Australia is a great country, we are good people. I don't think I would want to live anywhere else and obviously, immigrants who choose to live here must think the same.
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Mr Universe :
03 Jun 2009 5:37:16pm
We are so fortunate that Australia is not a racist country.What people call racism in this country is usually a reflection of their personal hatred of other cultures & people,total disrespect,condescending attitude.They seem to pick & choose what they think is racist & on the other hand act & promote racism,all in the same breath.The trade in illegal immigrants is out right slavery.This buying & selling of human beings has been given the green light by the lefties with total disregard of human life.These people are just statistics,zero care factor & use this miserable trade as pawn to push their own leftie agenda.It goes the same with indeginous issues where the lefties want them to live in a continuous circle of poverty,again to be used to push their own agenda without even a thought they are doing something wrong.If there is racism in this country,you will find it any left wing organisation.The Greens are the exception,but have to draw a line where they stand.There are same elements in their party that have a racist agenda.
Also,India should look at there country first before jumping up & down & pointing the finger.We have had a couple of brutal attacks,meanwhile in India,hundreds of people get burned alive or blown up in train attacks,hindu & moslem alike.We are not even close to that type of racial violence.
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Cricket Ball :
03 Jun 2009 8:41:12pm
Sorry Mr U,
nothing you said disproves that racism indeed thrives in Australia.
All you did was palm it off on India.(Hmm what's that about?What do you think about Muslims- eh ?)
It doesn't have to be bombs to be racism.
And just like the abortion debate,just saying something doesn't make it so.
We even have patronising racism here.
At least who ever the lefties are,they can spell.
Oh and by the way your over zealous ideological bigotry highlights your pathological tendency toward the likelihood you do indeed have racist leanings.(Not my interpretation,it is a psychological one)
Let me guess you are not a coloured chappie who votes labor?
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Gareth :
03 Jun 2009 5:32:46pm
Bruce, well said. I'm with you 100%.
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Jupiter :
03 Jun 2009 5:19:05pm
The White Australia Policy was introduced by the ALP to keep out cheap foreign labour. We were accepting non-white professionals as migrants during that period - Kamahl is a well known example.
India is without a doubt the most racist and bigoted country on Earth.
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Johnf :
03 Jun 2009 8:16:36pm
I don't know about that: Japan and Korea are right up there, along with Fiji and Zimbabwe.
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Groucho :
03 Jun 2009 10:42:54pm
"Jupiter :
03 Jun 2009 5:19:05pm
The White Australia Policy was introduced by the ALP to keep out cheap foreign labour."
The "Even Whiter Australian" policy was designed by Pauline Hanson and stolen by John Howard.It is now mainstream liberal policy.
Your point Jupiter?
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Eliot Ramsey :
03 Jun 2009 5:14:40pm
The ABC radio 'AM' program spoke with Indian students in Sydney who havev been the targets of violence.
The students AM spoke to say their attackers were from a range of ethnic backgrounds. And they were fairly equivocal about whether the attacks were racially motivated, or just opportunistic.
http://www.abc.net.au/am/content/2009/s2587734.htm
I'm blonde and blue-eyed, and I've been attacked on the streets of Sydney at least three times.
And I bet there are Australians who have been attacked in India.
Are we to pretend Indians are racist? Or not?
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Groucho :
04 Jun 2009 8:52:27pm
ER
Are we to pretend Indians are racist? Or not?
What do you think this question says of you?
Is their a Dr. in the house?(Psyche one)
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benjo :
03 Jun 2009 5:10:23pm
Racism is and always has been part of Australian culture. All cultures for that matter. Most people pretend not to be racists but almost everyone (everyone!!) to an extent is and this includes non whites. It is something that will not go away.
There will always be groups of people who prejudice against others in subtle to blatant ways because of diffferences. This is life and will not dissapear anytime soon. If ever.
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Jeltz :
03 Jun 2009 5:05:44pm
I thoroughly recommend reading Geoffrey Robertson's "A Statute of Liberty" as it outlines a sensible way forward in this matter.
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John Greenfield :
03 Jun 2009 5:03:22pm
OMG. How much longer are we going to have to put with white bourgeois baby-boomers and their moral narcissism? And why does Unleashed relentlessly publish their cookie-cutter whinges almost daily!?
But unfortunately, in Australia, the word has lost all its power because histrionic Luvvies hell-bent on showing the world how ideologically pure they are, are forever cocked to shoot the "racist" bullet at even the lamest of targets.
Describe a house with big white columns as "woggy" and you are clearly stacking the trains to Auschwitz! Off The Luvvie will go. Lips-pursed, fingers-waving, "you’re a racist"!
Sadly, the tantrums that are typical of the Luvvies' moral narcissism, have evaporated their credibility as guardians of who/what is and is not "racist". We simply do not listen to white bourgeois baby-boomers anymore.
Yes, "Racism" is real. And when it extremely ocassionally pops up in Australia, it IS ugly. But nowhere near all references to somebody's foreigness, religion, accent, ethnicity, skin colour is actually "racist".
A useful way to think about this issue is to distinguish between 'racialism' and 'racism'. 'Racialism' is any comment, attitude, or policy where 'race' is the main consideration. Except 'racialism' does not imply a hierarchy of 'races', it merely acknowledges their existence.
Thus, multiculturalism is a 'racialist' policy in its more benign expressions, but often tips over into outright 'racism', especially against Anglo-Celts and other pale-face types.
OTOH, 'racism' is the nasty one, which insists the 'races' can be ranked, and some are inferior to others.
So, I advocate celebrating 'racialism'. After all, isn't that what 'celebrating diversity' is REALLY doing? We all are at one time or another, a skip, a wog, a towelhead (my absolute favourite, by the way), a curry-muncher, a blackfella, a whitefella, a clog-wog, an amigo, etc.
Are there no-go areas? You betcha. And they have nothing to do with political correctness. "Nigger", for example, can never have anything other than a racist meaning that the black person is a lower form of life, fit only to be a slave. OTOH, 'black' does not have this connotation, nor does 'blackfella/whitefella/yellafella'.
The only way we can stop these interminable media articles about "racist Australians" is to declare:
<i>We are one; but we are many - crackers, curry-munchers, skinny wogs, Yanks, poms, Frogs, krauts, Vietnamese Balts -we are racialists; we are Australian!</i>
The type who will resist this new Proudly Racialist Australian identity, are those who are paid six figure taxpayer-funded salaries to run the Multiculti, Australian Self-Loathing, and Aboriginal Industries.
These types can be dealt
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Othello Cat :
04 Jun 2009 9:01:34am
"histrionic Luvvies"?
Oh sure, it is bad to be racist but go knock yourself out and make a bigoted, generalised, perjorative label about those who have the temerity to believe in social justice.
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1mate :
04 Jun 2009 3:49:25pm
Well, and entertainingly, put.
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yen :
05 Jun 2009 3:35:38am
Quote:
".."Nigger", for example, can never have anything other than a racist meaning that the black person is a lower form of life, fit only to be a slave. ..."
Used between African-Americans it is not offensive.
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John Greenfield :
05 Jun 2009 3:22:54pm
yen
The days of African-Americans expecting they can call each other "nigger" with impunity, while it remains taboo for whites, are just about over.
I already know white, Indian, and Asian people who are over that, and now say "nigger". I won't. I think it is a vile word. But AAs better get used to others using it, if they continue to do so themselves.
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Just me :
10 Feb 2010 4:30:52am
John, that was a great read and you made the best point I have seen in a very long time. Well done :-)
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Heidi :
11 Oct 2010 12:21:23am
John,It's not the terms, towelhead hardly matters it's all the hatred and ignorance that goes with them.After sept 11 all I heard online was blast the f--king towelheads constantly, and hear you are suggesting we call lebanese australians who had zilch to do with any of it by the same name,assign them to all that mess.
I did not enjoy being called any of the names i've been called to me they smell of complete and utter ignorance of other cultures and ways of life.If you want to be a walking billboard of ignorance keep using them.Very glad to be leaving Australia despite being a 2nd gen australian - just too many of these types around.
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Aquila :
03 Jun 2009 4:25:53pm
Racism continues to be an embedded fact of live in Australia. Those who deny and ignore this fact fool themselves as the evidence of the application of racism is rife throughout Australian society. The most dangerous and harmful to individuals is the covert application in its many guises such as harassment, bullying, discrimination, denial of service, denial of promotion etc.
In its overt application, racism can be publicly adddressed with the racist act and perpetrator publicly identified. Even with public identification, the racist seldom if ever feels remorse for his action - nevertheless, all we can expect is that by doing so, a possibility exists that it brings the racist matter to the community and this may cause others to behave more reasonable and better to one another.
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Poll Hereford :
03 Jun 2009 4:21:47pm
Expect some howls of outrage, and some irrelevant comparisons to the US in response to this. Much of which will be confirmation of your description of the racist policies of the Howard government and how they have become the normative position. We are 'relaxed and confortable' again now 'we can decide whop c omes here and the manner of their arrival'. To paraphrase Kath and Kim: It's nice, it's normal, it's usual, not racist at all.
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Cricket :
03 Jun 2009 4:18:06pm
Yes, there is racism in Australia. However, not all Australians are racist. In fact, I suspect the vast majority are not, and I therefore completely reject this article, which is long on bullshit rhetoric and short on proof.
Provide definitive proof for the statement "Australia is racist", Bruce. Your article contains none, that's for sure.
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Groucho :
03 Jun 2009 8:56:44pm
Cricket
I could prove it once and for all if Unleashed made everyone stick to one online ID only,or better still retrospectively put all the real names of those who post on here against their online identities.(Oh the multi ID's would be so enlightening)
My challenge to those denying the racism assertion, is to lobby Unleashed to do so.
Are YOU game?
Or it is too comfortable in that anonymous skin?
How's your identical twin going Cricket.
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Alan :
04 Jun 2009 1:02:03am
Groucho
Why don't you?
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Cricket :
04 Jun 2009 9:23:12am
By all means, Groucho. I'd be very happy for Unleashed to relate to you the fact that since Unleashed was launched I have only EVER posted as 'Cricket' on the ABC. It would be a nice way to fill in the giant gaping hole you've dug for yourself.
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zaky :
08 Jul 2009 4:40:39am
Here is the proof:
http://news.in.msn.com/internati ... -documentid=3058414
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Mr LM :
14 Jul 2009 9:13:27pm
Cricket,
What we have today in Australia is a system of parallel cultures(parallel-culturalism) as opposed to multi-culturalism.
The dominant culture is the Anglo-saxonic culture, to which all the other cultures in this country run parallel to ie the Asians, the Wogs, the Aborigines etc
But this has it's problems. Look at the Cronulla riots. The Cronulla riots is an example of what happens when parallel cultures stop running parallel to each other, and, collide with one another. But for parallel-culturalism to exist the cultures that make up Australian society have to remain parallel. The Cronulla riots are exceptions to parallel-culturalism, not the norm.
Very early in our training we are taught who belongs where. Racial hatred and racial divide is made known early on in our lives. We all soon realise exactly where we fit in and where we don't.
Parallel-culturalism breeds an "us and them" mentality. "Us" white Anglos and "them" wogs, blacks, asians (or whatever). It is in stark contrast to multi-culturalism which is the enemy of racism. Multi-culturalism says "we" Australians and it also encourages intermarriage. It is intermarriage that will eventually wipe out Parallel-Culturalism and racism.
Parallel-Culturalism is a reincarnation of the White Australia policy, modernised/spruced up for these times. It is based on racial hatred, racial superiority, ownership claims based on race etc that leads to the "us and them" mentality.
Cricket, why are there no wog characters on "Neighbours". Let's see now, the fictious Ramsey street is set somewhere in Melbourne (where there are 1 million Greeks),yet there is no representation of this ethnic diversity on the show. Instead, all the characters are white Anglo-saxons? And this is the image that the show portays...that Aussie culture is like that ...white and Anglo?
Clearly, this is not the case. Go to any major city in the country, and, you will see all the evidence that this is not the case.
But the people making the show are Anglos. we have parallel-culturalism going on in this country, so that means that all other cultures can be easily ignored. Why not?
Look at the recent study by some people at the ANU, about anyone with an ethnic name trying to apply for a job? - http://www.andhranews.net/Intl/2 ... an-bosses-12179.asp
Cricket, I would like to throw the burden of proof back to you. Australia used to be a really, really racist country. Look at the White Australia Policy, look at the genocide of the Tasmanian Aboriginal and the gross mistreatment of Mainland Aboriginals (stolen generation) and the fact that in NSW there were no Anti-Discrimination laws until 1977. Most Western "civilised" nations had introduced Anti-Discrimination legislation a decade earlier.
I put it to you that l
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safehaven :
14 Jan 2010 7:59:31pm
what a post, right on the money
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she'll be wrong :
22 Apr 2010 4:11:31pm
TOTALLY RIGHT!
The best proof, walk down the streets in the very centre of Melbourne and see how many Asian faces you come across. Almost every second one is originally from Asia. Ok. Now switch on your telly and see how many Asian faces you see on national channels. Got the picture?
No violence is needed, nor abuse, just the silent but omnipresent way of ignoring, pushing aside and not accepting. But then, we love to eat Asian food, don't we? This makes us multicultural.
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Heidi :
11 Oct 2010 12:09:00am
I normally hate sociological jargon and over intellectualising things but this person absolutely hit the nail on the head,a very brilliant post.I almost want to print it out.
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graeme :
03 Jun 2009 4:02:36pm
I never had much time for Sol Trujillo, like an imported CEO who ran down what was one "our telco", but on leaving, he may have at last done something that will benefit Australia. He identified us as a racist country.
That Rudd thinks he'll be more popular by being defensive about racist attitudes is poor form, but given how JWH thought racism was electorally popular, it's hardly surprising.
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lynne :
03 Jun 2009 5:45:06pm
I couldn't agree with you more, Graeme. I was not a fan of Sol Trujillo, but he was right on the mark on the racism issue. Only the other day I had a workman here in my kitchen talking about "Abos". Mabe Queenslanders are the worst offenders as I have noticed it here more than the other states, excluding the Northern Territory. However, these attacks on the Indian students are of course in Victoria. And, talking about Sol Trujillo, I could not believe the farewell message to him by our prime minister!!! I thought to myself well he is a queenslander, mabe it is in the genes!! But, again, Howard was one of the worst offenders and he was born and bred in Sydney, which is supposed to be a tolerant place. Racists just do not seem to "get it" when they make these comments....perhaps a proper educational programme in schools might help, as well as some on gay rights and respect for women. They wouldn't go astray. You would have to make sure some of the teachers were educated in these areas too, there are many who are racist and homophobic still.
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db :
03 Jun 2009 6:18:18pm
"abos", like "pom", like "yank".
Being a "pom" I'm not upset, it's a bit like me calling my mate "Oz" as I did in the late 60's in England.
It's time to find some other excuse.
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lynne :
04 Jun 2009 9:44:13am
"Abo" is not an affectionate term as you are suggesting. Aboriginal people do not like the term at all. It smacks of racism. As I said, racists just do not get it.....education is the key, in whatever form it takes.
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Felix :
05 Jun 2009 4:33:00pm
Yank and Pom are not terms of endearment - no more so than Abo. Or is it that they are predominantly white people you refer to? Which I guiess makes it ok - according to many of the posts.
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whitefella :
03 Jun 2009 6:41:47pm
School teachers don't want to be lumbered with trying fit to yet another politically correct circus sideshow into an already crowded curriculum. Schools should not be viewed as re-education camps. The issues you have identified are social issues, not educational issues, and I don't think we should be wasting valuable time and resources on them. Not necessarily because I don't think they're important, but because realistically schools can do little or nothing about them.
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Marbo :
03 Jun 2009 8:14:03pm
Amen to that! I have a teenage daughter and have searched in vain for speakers / programs for addressing various issues that affect teenage girls - including racism and "hate-speak" (for want of a better word) which inspires a lack of empathy for the minorities in our society - be they homosexuals or immigrant groups. We emigrated here 6 years ago and love Australia, but we were definitely taken aback at the breezy racial generalisations, and casual "hate-speak" that emerge over a few beers.
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Extranjero :
04 Jun 2009 8:26:06am
I'm an Australian living in Spain and I've always thought I was accepting and tolerant of all others. Now after being on the other side of the coin I realise that everyone in the world is "racist" if that's what you want to call it. People are generally inclined to feel more comfortable with the familiar and the known. Here in Spain I'm regarded as part of the pond scum, the top of the pond (as a Westener) above Africans and South Americans but still part of the scum as a foreigner. Even the Spanish word for foreigner "extranjero" comes from the word "extrano" strange. I sense the silence from people and uncomfortable stares when they hear me speaking English. I see shop attendants walk away not wanting to serve the "English" speaker or "Anglo Saxon". I now have a sense of what it's like for those that don't fit the norm in Australia. I try to speak Spanish and they know from the first word I'm not a native and treat me differently accordingly. The Australians here tend to group together as other groups of migrants do in Australia. It's natural to want to be with others like yourself. This experience will make me much more aware of other minorities on my return. One thing that is different here is the general lack of violence, this I think is a cultural diffence that we could learn from.
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wookiemeister ®:
07 Jun 2009 11:42:05am
it is amusing reading this stuff
it is far more acceptable to kill someone because they are different than villify them
in 2 weeks about a million people were killed in rawanda, who ever talks about rawanda these days?
if australia is so terrible then the world is a big place you could move to some utopia to give yourself the satisfaction that you need, perhaps back to your old country that you hated so much that you wanted to leave.
when in rome do as the romans do.
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Mimi :
09 Jun 2009 6:24:34pm
Boring!
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scourge of god :
10 Jun 2009 9:49:10pm
when in rome behave like romans, else go back home and return like huns plundering and pillaging rome.
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traveller :
16 Jun 2009 7:01:03am
Australia is racist, there can never be justice on stolen land. It's the same across the pond in New Zealand - but pride goes before a fall it is said
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shelly :
10 Jan 2010 1:06:14am
Somehow no one seems to leave Australia. I think one must kill to be part of Australia like the settlers killed natives to call Australia home. Should I be racist against Whites to call Australia home?
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safehaven :
14 Jan 2010 7:55:39pm
wookiemonster,
there is a classic example of what people consider as underlying racism.
'why dont they go to some utopia?'
people came to australia thinking it to be a safe haven, to raise their kids and live happily without much incident or target. They came here not to be the target of racism, but to be accepted in a community and work as one.
However, there is racism in aus, and unfortunately these people are targeted, and of course, the feel uncomfortable. Liken it to being excluded at say a game of tips at primary school. It doesnt feel nice.
However these people have already settled, and raised kids before they start to realise something wrong. they would have to abandon everything and generally start over again.
You ask them to move. that is not practically viable. Maybe aus should change its multicultural banner,and sort and eradicate the roots of the racism. That is whats needed, not people to leave.
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S.Caramanga :
24 Jan 2010 10:03:24pm
Rwanda? Looks like Australia is going to become another Uganda. Remember Idi Amin threw out all the Indians? He should be awarded an Order of Australia (posthumously of course).
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Powow :
08 Jul 2009 2:39:29am
I am Australian myself. My mother is from Australia and my dad is from Chili. I have also traveled oversea's myself. One thing I have noticed in my travels that their is racists everywhere but I found that living in London are more accepting towards imirgrans than any other place I have been 2. When I grew up in Sydney I was looked upon as being different. The reason for this is because I looked Spainish and not the normal anglo type. Even though I am half Anglo myself. I was called wog. Social groups would not accept me because I was different and I was picked on growing up. I was picked on by my so called friends. The sad thing is that it is socially acceptable to label people as WOG in Australia. This is not a good thing. For years I have tried to adapt to the Australian way of life but I know that some people are nice to my face but in the back of their mind they do not like me. My Father over the years had it worse than me. He worked for a company that gave him hell for 10 years because of his background. Australia is a great place if you know where to live. Melbourne is probably the most cultured part of Australia.
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blackbwoy :
09 Oct 2009 8:11:09pm
australia is a very racist country they dont like black people here
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Yoli :
04 Nov 2009 1:18:24pm
I am curious to know, how are the "Aborigines" treated in Australia". And furthermore where did this name "Australia" come from, as the names of all of the cities there? As for the indigenous people why are they not more affluent and treated as the original people should be treated with dignity and respect? Unless you can amswer these questions with facts and truths, Australia is a VERY racist place and I have no desire to visit as I already live in a racist country the USA!
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zig :
12 Nov 2009 12:23:51pm
australia is not a very racist place..... there is a small minority of people that are racist. you cant stay much about us here as you have not experienced what type of racism occurs where in the world. furthermore, you must realise that there is no set definition or racism, all cultures and countries have different values and attitudes towards certain subjects, therefore each person takes different comments differntly.
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shelly :
10 Jan 2010 1:08:15am
you should thank God you are not born as aborignie...trust me ..
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Setsuna :
06 Feb 2010 10:36:45pm
i like your style
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zig :
12 Nov 2009 12:26:20pm
yeh thats because when you were a kid it wasnt "cool" to be a "wog" it was just the time.... i totally agree with everything else though
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Ron :
12 Jan 2010 1:02:20pm
The Australians are kind and open to all cultures as long as there is no differences.
This could be a different sense of humur,
or dialect> But even a different opinion or when you are economically better off as an immigrant.
There seems to be a form of government supported discrimination. As a permanent resident you are not able to vote or get a government job.
And what is the idea behind non residents paying more tax for less rights?
Just after election time everything was checked on my property but it was all legal. Why?
Because a local politician from the council was looking to get the vote of my neighbors. These politicians go from door to door and exploit this when they know you can't vote (if you tell them so).
Ok if Australia does not like immigrants why does it imports them?
The drive for Australia to welcomes immegrants is driven by economic factors.
The lack of industry in this country needs immigration to grow the economy.
The economy is based on Housing industry and mining. The weakness is that at some stage the growth will stop. Either because there is no more water or when the carbon emission trading schema makes it too expensive to keep growing.
But not all Australians seem to stand behind this immigration policy. They probably don't realize that they live well because of it. Because immigration creates work and keeps the economy going.
I don't think this is a matter being black or white only. There seems to be more behind it.
I compare it with the US in the early days. The conflicts between the Irish and the "second or third generation immigrants in the USA".
It is the conflict between the new and the old immigrants and it is wide spread across the Australian society.
It is also good to know that not all Australians are like this. Aussies who have been discriminated in the past are not like this. They seem to remember when they have been discriminated.
More education and time will be needed and people need to learn to live with different cultures.
Different cultures need to mix and not be concentrated in one particular suburb.
Unfortunately there is discrimination and we all know it. It is not limited to the color of your skin because white people are discriminated also because they have an accent or have a different sense of humor.
We will never be all the same. Forget about that an learn to leave with each other in harmony regard less of the color of your skin, religion, status or what ever.
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Ron :
12 Jan 2010 1:52:12pm
"Queenslanders are the worst offenders as I have noticed it here more than the other states"
Indeed....
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stupid Oz :
17 Jan 2010 2:29:02am
Victoria has many racist as well.Mostly teenagers. Racist,wild and abusive. they should be punished! shame on their parents who didn't bring them up properly
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khan :
21 Jan 2010 5:17:51pm
I am from an Indian background and arrived here at 15 . .. I have graduated from a reputable engineerign school and gained several certifications within the IT industry. My spoken english is a lot better than a lot of Australians , (I was educated in an international schhol oversees). In 10 years of work I have experienced extreme prejudice and bias and have experienced racism directed at me or in equally awkward circumstances have heard comments made about other people to me.
I have always been more qualified and knowledgeble than my "white" bosses and never been offered an opportunity to take on a more senior role in fact it got so ridiculous that the guy I tutored in uni has actually become my boss now ? Guees what , yes you are right he is anglo... so I ma reduced to being happy that he was once my student so he is a good boss..
This is not made up all true... YOur corporate sector is rife with racism ... walk through any city office do you see any non-white managers ? If so what is that percentage 1% ? why is that the case ?
over her racism is always kept subdued and covered up by the media with pictures of asian students laughing or aussies cooking Indian food in cooking shows ? Yes if you never came here u would think its the best place on the planet ...
I agree its a great place , great weather etc.. but dig a little deeper and there is a soul filled with hatred, guilt racism and a genuine lack of identity...
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Just me :
10 Feb 2010 4:14:24am
My store manager is Sri Lankin, so is the grocery manager, produce manager and grocery 2IC. I am a white boy who finds it difficult to get promoted due to the obvious prejudice in our store against whites. I will happily send you a statement of theirs confirming I am their best worker if you like...so why cant I get a promotion?? Racism.
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john :
19 Feb 2010 12:10:01am
You've managed to hit on a very crucial point. Australians do feel the identity crisis. As a young country with a developing identity the country was suddenly injected with a massive inflow of migrants from the mid 1080's. This resulted in extreme cultural stress as well as social stress. Personally I think it would have been better if governments had reduced the stream to a more manageable level and had properly planned city housing and infrastructure but it was a doors open policy without regard to social or security issues. Unfortunately it's the migrants that are too often blamed for the sins of government but this is not a flaw of the Aussie people in general, it would have happened anywhere. The fact that Australian society has managed as well as it has in the wake of 4 million migrants in 12 years is a feat that the good people of Australia should be commnended for. And that includes new Australians as well as old. Perhaps in time this huge mish mash of cultures that is 'Australia' will form a new individual identity without the huge divides that currently exist.
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Larissa :
20 May 2010 8:57:00am
I agree with you. Racism is a problem in Australia. I'm a journalist and I've struggled to get work here. I write well and speak English better than my white Australian counterparts. I'm also better informed and more a citizen of the world than they are. That should count for something but it doesn't. Australia seems to be the last bastion of the uneducated, backward and threatened racist. Frankly speaking I'm quite over the ignorance I've encountered here. People here are afraid of competition. They prefer to live in a mediocre bubble than accept a challenge and better themselves and I for one am ready to leave them to it!
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S.Caramanga :
24 Jan 2010 9:58:39pm
Looks like there is a grassroots terrorist organization forming in Victoria. Perhaps they should be name dthe Australian TaliBOGAN. Perhaps they should be shipped to Afghanistan to fight the Afghan Taliban. Perhaps then we can have some pease and quiet.
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Jesingh :
06 Feb 2010 12:41:50am
All of this so-called discussion is simply pathetic middleclass complaint. Think of the millions of people who live like dogs in India: who is to blame? Other upper class Indians maintaining an inequitable and exploitative social system. This site is a sad indictment of immigrants and the abc in the gutless mistruths being spoken. You give the right wing maniacs more power by the lies you all tell. Wake up to yourselves.
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AT :
06 Feb 2010 12:07:49pm
Here's some statistics to consider:
Approximately 900 000 assaults were recorded in Australia between 2004 and 2009
In those six years (2004 inclusive), there were 133 assaults on Indians. That constitutes approximately 0.015% of all assaults.
Approximately 1600 people were victims of homicide in Australia between 2004 and 2009.
In those six years (2004 inclusive) 33 Indians were killed in attacks, constituting 2% of all deaths due to homicide. As a side-note, 96% of all homicides originate from assault, defined under Australian Law.
According to the ABS in 2009, 1.6% of all Australians are of Indian decent. This includes workers, students and all migrants as a whole.
You can do the math. Are they statistically under-represented? Yes.
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Joe :
09 Mar 2010 11:48:34pm
Excuse me? Who are you to say that? I am originally from Queensland (Cairns) and it is NOT RACIST. Far from it actually. At my primary school, the students were 50% white, 20% Asian, 20% indigenous and 10% Mauri. Everyone treated eachother with respect and no one was racist. This school was located in the middle of a suburb and my soccer team was the same. My high school was also like this but with some African students as well. Everyone there had the upmost respect for eachother. No racism at all. Then I moved to Adelaide and casual racism here is much higher. I can't believe people are still labelling certain states racist.
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Bob :
24 Aug 2010 1:51:39am
Hi
I am Nepalese student. I work in a resteurant in sydney where i am the only asian. It has been 2 years since i started working there. I never felt myself being racially treated before. All Of my colleagues treated me nice since the arrival of the new chef. He is not even Australian but he is white European who thinks himself as a civilised person but doesn't know how to treat the people. He hates me only beacause i am asian and wants me to leave the job. He is very nice infront of me. In fact what i say is all Australians are not racist but the bunch on white immigrant from Europe who even don't hold the Australian passport are racist. They are parasites of Australian society.
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Sarah :
29 Mar 2010 12:43:08pm
Calling all Australians racist is not going to fix the problem, in fact, if anything it will just worsen it, and cause angst among us all. So instead stand up for what is right, correct friends, use appropriate language towards all Australians and most of all set an example for generations to come..
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CC :
26 Jul 2010 2:05:41am
Racism is rife in Australia. It's gutless, it's crass, it's loud and criminal. It should not be allowed, and perpetrators should face criminal sanctions.
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Racist Aussies. :
03 Sep 2010 2:56:05pm
Yeah. some aussies are racist. Not so much that they tell it to your face but in fact it is by their gestures, as they say action speaks louder than words init. Totally regreted my stay in australia, should have gone to UK. My main objective was to get education overseas as such resources in my country is limited, hence since the aussie dollar was way cheaper than compared to the British Pound hence that was the deciding factor in choosing "Aussie" But the best thing of my 3 years in aussie was obtaining an undergraduate degree which is recognised in all financial institutions and the Multi National Companies back home in my country. Managed to get a job in less than a month after graduation and helped me get a great salary, company car and other perks here in my country and off course a managerial role in a MNC company. So those overseas students in ausie, dont give a damm of those racists. End of the day just look at the main objective u there in the 1st place. Just learn all u can from "aussie" and apply it your country and be RICH. and just leave those lazy racists alone.
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Oi..Oi..Oii. :
06 Sep 2010 7:53:46pm
Australia is a land for stray dogs!! No offence! Its a land for everyone.. Theres just no true true identity "australian" .. there are so many immigrants living there and soo many inter racial marriages amongst the caucasion..effects of which are many racial mix. Some aussies could be the product of many different ethnicity "white" italian, greeks, turks, lebanese ... and whatnot more.. Stray Dogs!!
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land lord :
27 Jul 2011 12:49:52pm
Aboriginals are the true Australians, you will be paying rent to Aboriginals soon
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proud non-white aussie :
05 Jan 2011 2:23:41am
true :) but i think there needs to be a raising of awareness and education nation-wide (through mass media etc) about the existence of racism among us and that it needs to stop and in effect, the changing of the mind set of such racist people
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Pom down under :
16 Mar 2011 11:13:30pm
I am a white pom married to a black man. We have mixed race children who look Indian, Spanish, aboriginal and arabic. It is interesting to note others reactions to them. I have lived in France, England and Spain and visited many other countries. Yes, Australians can be racist but then so are all the other countries I have been in. My children have adapted well. Two have Aussie accents and two sound British. They are multicultural children of the world and speak 5 languages between them. My eldest has now gone to live on the French-German border. Australians can laugh at themselves whereas other nationalities take race more seriously. I have found that black people are just as racist as white people. I work as a coordinator for International Students and my job consists of educating new immigrants into the ways of the Australians. It pays to to have a sense of humour - if you are snobby or take yourself too seriously you are doomed to be mocked. Well I am a pom and proud of it but I love living here and hope to make a contribution.
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eureka :
30 Mar 2011 12:45:00pm
So, you want all the victims to be nice to racist. That explains all. Politicians should be doing something to stop this crime. Is the "Who is right?" or "Who is white?" most important in this country? Of course, the latter one.
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dave :
26 Jul 2011 9:54:19pm
The most basic thing is Europeans have no right to live in this land, named Australia.They need others(countries around the world) to be accept that this is their country.That is why they start immigration to justify others their course are right. This way no one will stand against their unjust towards the real owners(Aborigines) Australian land.Since, no one stand against their crimes , racism they mistakenly believe others(other nations) forgot everything and keep practicing the same.So, they include all laws against racism into the jurisdiction and systematically help their own groups to get benefit being racists. So, anyone not believe how certain things happen, this is the right answer. Basically, Australia is land that is not belongs to white europeans.So, they try hard to show others the are superior than others even they are inferior.So, please try to understand this and do not worry since their future will be very grim.
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land lord :
27 Jul 2011 12:53:14pm
thats right, thats all they have, poor convicts
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True Owner :
28 Jul 2011 12:53:36am
Dave, Land Lord,
Even the Aboriginal peoples Ancestors migrated to Australia at some point, just like everyone else who was born in Australia. And the anthropological records show that Aboriginal people migrated in different waves, with the first wave occurring about 40,000years ago, that replaced/mixed/supplanted previous waves of Aboriginal migration. Sound familiar?
Actually this has been happening since humans first left Africa about 70,000years ago started migrating to all corners of the earth.
We are all migrants to Australia.
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trawalla :
05 Sep 2011 2:27:54pm
We are the human race of this planet and moving around on it is only a naterual accorance that will go on forever so Please hurry up and get over it
Racism that is"
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Russ :
01 Aug 2011 6:38:14am
Dave,
If you want to get back at the people who's ancestors violated the ancestors of the aboriginal people then you had better start with the aboriginal people. In the past the people who abused you ancestors the most were often also the ones involved in paternity. But please don't take it out on the current Europeans in Australia, many of who's ancestors had nothing to do with the mistreatment of the Aboriginal people.
By all means feel welcome to keep talking because it only exposes your views to be analyzed by the rest of us. My thoughts are if people with your mentality take hold the future of all people in Australia will be "very grim".
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Anthony :
16 Aug 2011 1:54:20pm
Dave,
Stop wallowing in the past and surrounding yourself with hate and wake up and open your eyes and you will see that this is the best country in the world, full of opportunities for those willing to take up the challenges.
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