Is Australia a racist nation?
Sadly, I think the answer is yes. I'm not just talking about the impending Christmas dinner where we're forced to listen to the older generation rant about immigrants and religious extremists. There's been a lot of racist violence in Sydney lately and even locally in Brisbane, teenagers are scrawling racist graffiti outside Asian restaurants. Maybe it's the isolation that comes from being an island. Or the current state of the world is bring out the fearful, conservative side of people. However, I'm not so sure that's the reason for the recent ugliness of South African cricketers being racially taunted during the 1st Test. The black players were taunted as 'kaffirs' and the white players as 'kaffir boeties' - deeply offensive terms to a South African. I can't speak with any authority on the subject but I'd be willing to bet these kinds of taunts came from South African ex-pats rather than Australians - most Aussies wouldn't even know those terms. I only knew them from The Power of One books - maybe there was some Bryce Courtney fans in the crowd but I doubt it. Fortunately, Cricket Australia have responded quickly by authorising police to fine and evict anyone yelling racist taunts at the 2nd Test. Of course, they're also authorised to fine and evict anyone "standing too long in the aisles" so maybe they're going a bit overboard with the crack down.
| Posted by JC on Fri 23 Dec |  17 comments |
I agree. The root cause of the racism is ignorance and symptoms of a colonial hangover.
Its amazing how folks here mouth off politically incorrect statement with such consumate ease with absolutely no thought to the people around (much like TV advertisers in this country who show kids programs in the wee hours of the morning!).
I mean why can't people just get on with life - there's a small town small-mindedness that's assumed epidemic proportions.
Like I said its ignorance; I find most Aussies very good at heart, but the relative newness of the exposure to other races (compared to say the US or UK) makes "non-whites" very intriguing for the locals.
Posted by The Dude on 2006-10-12 21:07:18
Its amazing how folks here mouth off politically incorrect statement with such consumate ease with absolutely no thought to the people around (much like TV advertisers in this country who show kids programs in the wee hours of the morning!).
I mean why can't people just get on with life - there's a small town small-mindedness that's assumed epidemic proportions.
Like I said its ignorance; I find most Aussies very good at heart, but the relative newness of the exposure to other races (compared to say the US or UK) makes "non-whites" very intriguing for the locals.
Posted by The Dude on 2006-10-12 21:07:18
australia seems to be getting more and more racist. we hear the queensland police union talking about the riots being "a mob of aboriginals", the nsw opposition leader speaks of "middle-eastern thugs." why the need all the time to categorise people by race or ethnicity?
Posted by phil on 2007-01-12 11:21:22
Posted by phil on 2007-01-12 11:21:22
Politicians and current affair shows seem to like fueling people's fears and xenophobias for their own popularity's sake. This week, we were watching Frontline, a parody of current affair shows from a few year's back. They had a spoof where the current affair show did a beatup "City of Fear" to generate fear and sensation. Then later this week, a real current affair show used the same headline talking about teenage violence in Sydney.
Posted by JC on 2007-01-12 12:02:08
Posted by JC on 2007-01-12 12:02:08
Ofcourse!!!They are still on the hangover of their 'big brothers' colonial past.
I some times wonder what is special for them to be proud of.Closing their eyes an support US under the impression that US will support.When China rolls their eyes Australian politics will piss on their pants!!!If you see the history these skin cancer prone people orinates from the criminal back ground.They are the cancers of the society.I hope the developing economies will make them crawl on their knees
Posted by richbyheart on 2008-01-07 22:13:21
I some times wonder what is special for them to be proud of.Closing their eyes an support US under the impression that US will support.When China rolls their eyes Australian politics will piss on their pants!!!If you see the history these skin cancer prone people orinates from the criminal back ground.They are the cancers of the society.I hope the developing economies will make them crawl on their knees
Posted by richbyheart on 2008-01-07 22:13:21
Ponting dosen't know to behave like a gentleman.He thinks he is great .He is against Harbhajan because he dismissed him in 8 occassions and afraid to play against him...
He is a real coward seems like man with out a back bone
Posted by braveheart on 2008-01-07 22:19:47
He is a real coward seems like man with out a back bone
Posted by braveheart on 2008-01-07 22:19:47
There are racists in Australia as there are in every country on the world. That doesn't make Australia a racist country.
When one considers the racial problems around the world (especially in Europe) one could argue that Australia is a very racially tolerant country with a small minority of racists.
People would like to paint the entire country with a racist brush for the acitons of only a few.
Posted by Sergio on 2008-01-30 14:05:40
When one considers the racial problems around the world (especially in Europe) one could argue that Australia is a very racially tolerant country with a small minority of racists.
People would like to paint the entire country with a racist brush for the acitons of only a few.
Posted by Sergio on 2008-01-30 14:05:40
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