I’M NOT A RACIST, BUT…
Racism is one of Australia’s worst-kept secrets.
If you scratch a little deeper beneath our white sand and easy-going attitude you can find ugly, hateful feelings of resentment from otherwise seemingly ordinary people.
How many times do you hear, “I’m not racist BUT…” Or how about, “Some of my friends are Middle Eastern, Vietnamese, Chinese, Italian BUT…” What follow can be the most absurd statements arising simply because of someone’s nationality or religion.
Australia has a reputation for being laid-back and generous. However all is not what it seems in this land of plenty. For a country that prides itself on having a ‘no bullshit’ attitude – we are hopeless at having an honest, and sometimes painful, discussion about the level of racism in our community.
And it doesn’t take much to get the debate going.
Legendary neurosurgeon, Dr Charlie Teo, has got the conversation started in the lead up to Australia Day. Dr Teo, who is the son of Chinese immigrants, is giving the New South Wales Australia Day speech.
I heard him explaining on radio that he ran his original speech by his family. His initial premise was that racism is no longer such an issue compared to when he was growing up in Australia. However his daughter disagreed. She told him she no longer goes down to Bondi Beach on Australia Day.
This sunny young woman had been in the mood to celebrate our national holiday, so she went to the beach proudly wearing those Aussie flag stickers on her cheeks. However, she had been abused by a group of people, who told her to “go back to where she came from”. She wonders where that might be – given she is a born-and-bred Aussie.
The good doctor discussed this with his colleagues. One of his registrars, who happened to be of Indian descent, had told him that he had been spat on at the bus stop because of his colour.
Such bigotry is shocking. And it makes me feel like I need to apologise and say we’re not all like this.
All well and good to apologise but it’s impossible to deny that racism is a real problem in our country. I’ve heard usually sensible people say, “well other countries are more racist than we are!”. Does that make what we do right? No. Such an explanation doesn’t make any type of racism okay. And besides why can’t we be better than the rest of the world in how we treat one another?
Recently I was enjoying my comfortable middle-class existence in one of my local cafes. I got chatting with Mario, the gourmet food supplier. He had a delivery of sensational olive oils, pasta and cheeses. Here was a trivial, but tasty benefit of living in a multicultural society.
Now despite living in Australia for over 40 years, Mario still has the thick accent of his mother country. He tells me that life is good in Australia; he had his children here and now his grandchildren are getting ready to start university. But he’s getting out of the food industry because “the Indians are now taking over the kitchens”. Huh? That is simply not true.
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49 Responses to this article
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Alan Kennedy January 20, 2012
Great piece Jessica. I was watching the cricket, the most white (bogan) Australian team in the country and my son pointed out that there were only white faces in the ads. Then there was a promo for a new show on channel 9 , the one with Debbie Byrne in it, had a totally white look. Check out the new young talent time. According to the promos the only talented kids are white. and so it goes. Look at the face of today’s Australia as you walk down the street and then compare it with the faces you see on commercial tv. Until we fix the disconnect we will not even begin to get a grip on the racism that infects our society.
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Jeff January 20, 2012
Nice work Jessica, we all have our own demons and it takes guts to put them out there.
My 2 cents is this. Trust is built through shared experience…. In order to build it we need to foster it. How? Sport is one good way especially for the young, semi young or the young at heart. Also food, yes food! a common experience we all share but how popular is Italian, Greek and Asian food now! I am sure hoping to see African dishes hitting our scene! What better way to experience a culture!
My last comment is our media (no not directed at you personally Jessica BUT…) how many times do we have to see a file tape of women wearing a burqa?? Talk about fear mungering. I have arguments with my parents who believe we are under some dire threat of invasion from boats and quess where they get most of their information from…. yep! 2 minute clips on the news! sure its a vote winner for pollies and they will keep their heads in the white sand as long as it keeps their asses in parliament -
Tracey January 20, 2012
This is a great article Jessica, and brilliant timing – but I wonder if the the readers of Hoopla are an already converted audience. To be honest, don’t think it makes much sense to be blaming pollies and the media, they’re just reflecting back what their audience feela most comfortable hearing – and when they do show leadership, they get yelled down, pilloried (and probably voted out).
I think a more effective approach for the already converted audience of Hoopla is that they start sticking their noses into the business of their immediate community (rather than passively putting the responsibility onto someone) and have the courage to respectfully challenge family, friends, co-workers, public figures, leaders, children, teachers, and yes politicians and the media when they make thoughtless (or deliberately incendiary) remarks – and challenge them to explore the ‘thinking’ that’s sitting behind their remarks.
One thing – wouldn’t waste a second of my time with trolls.
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Sarah January 20, 2012
Great article Jessica. Whilst it is important to address the experiences of immigrant communities and Samah gives us a good insight into her views I would like the community to focus on the racism experienced by Indigenous Australians. If racism in general is the ‘elephant in the room’ the racism our country continues to systemically apply to Indigenous Australians is the herd of elephants roaming wildly across the vast plains of this country.
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Sue Heins January 20, 2012
Well said Jessica. And I agree with the above comments!
My parents emmigrated out to Australia years ago though luckily for them they had white skin and were more accepted than others. But I saw plenty of others that were cruely treated.
My primary school was a school full of first generation Australians- which meant as kids we all were dealing with parents from different nationalities and played together in school without noticing anyones skin colours or backgrounds- we were all just kids!
It was our parents who had brought some of their racism from their old countries with them. These nationalities who have lived here now for 40+ years are now being racist against the newer nationalities coming in. Sadly, this is not new.In this day and age racism is still out there though not as obvious anymore. It still creates fear in white Australians.
I think ALL Australians should attend at least one citizenship ceremony!
When I took my partner (who is an old Oz through & through) it was amazing to see the change that happens. The people being naturalised are so proud and happy to become an Australian it makes you proud to have witnessed it and realise they have made a huge decision to make Australia their home. They have wholeheartedly embraced their new country and makes you realise how much you take it all for granted.
The media are great at creating fear which is a shame as the media also have the power to educate. -
Fiona @ My Mummy Daze January 20, 2012
Brilliant post. Great points.
It helps to take the guilt away when we realise it’s OK to acknowledge that the ‘fear of the other’ is an inherent sense within us.
It becomes frustrating however, when intelligent, well-educated people cannot rise about their inert racist feelings and voice their racist views like they are common truths.
Australia Day at times feels like a very racist, inclusive day for white Australias. They wear Australian flags like super hero capes, adorn Aussie flags to their cars and to decorate their BBQ’s almost in an exclusive gesture of ‘I belong’. It is very obvious on Australia Day that it is not socially acceptable (in the eyes of some) for non-white Australians to be donning the Southern Cross and Union Jack paraphenalia.
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Nareen Young January 20, 2012
Go your hardest Jessica, great, great piece. It runs so deep, this racism of ours. And Sarah, you’re right about the deepness of racism towards Aboriginal people, but I think the two are inextricably related.. First cousins, in fact. Naming it is such an important first step.
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Permanently 23 January 20, 2012
Yes, racism exists. I wish it weren’t so, but it’s there. I think it’s less overt these days. Yet there are many more forums in which it’s expressed.
I’m not sure how we get rid of it. It’s lots of things. Embracing the new and unknown and getting involved with it. It’s politicians embracing multiculturalism fully (can someone tell the Coalitian, please? They haven’t got the memo). And it’s challenging it when we hear it, not letting it slide.
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Darren January 20, 2012
Hang on, you haven’t mentioned depression. Was the story edited down?
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bigwords January 20, 2012
Without a doubt racism still exists, anyone who thinks it doesn’t obviously doesn’t go out much. Great piece Jessica. It’s really got me thinking x
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Sharyn January 20, 2012
Thanks Jessica for writing this article. I posted the news article on Facebook yesterday. I too have experienced what Dr Teo’s daughter and his registrar have. I went to a school in inner western Sydney in the early 90′s and was called nasty names and even spat at by a fellow student. My father is Irish and my mother is Chinese-Indonesian. I have Dad’s features and physique, and Mum’s colouring. Unfortunately children can be very cruel and repeat what they’ve heard from their parents and grandparents, they also latch on to anything that might trigger a defensive response from another child. I was constantly called offensive names all through high school, told I wasn’t Australian etc. Hearing all this made my blood boil so I’d defend myself verbally and on occasion, physically. Unfortunately my parents and I didn’t feel confident that the teachers or principal would be able to stop or discipline the other kids effectively so this wasn’t a matter we ever brought up with them, so for my final two years of high school I was called names virtually every day on entry into the school grounds by a group of boys. It was a very difficult time. I was glad to finish high school and I have not encountered racism to that scale since. I often wonder if the views of those boys changed, if they would still call anyone those names? Do they ever think about it and feel bad for what they put me through?
During that time I recall my Mum and I were called names by an old guy on a bus. I raised my voice so everyone on the bus could hear and told him to keep his racist comments to himself. The older generations racism will be hard to change.
All racism is bad – whether it is towards migrants or Indigenous Australians, caucasian or non-caucasian. I’d like to see the government address it seriously, not just pay lip service to placate those to whom racism has become a regular and often daily concern, and consider introducing compulsory anti-discrimination education in schools on the subject. Unfortunately how the government treats refugees leaves a lot to be desired. Until the government changes its refugee policies and enacts a Bill of Rights, treats these people and other vulnerable members of society with respect and kindness and stops locking them up like criminals, certain parts of society will continue to be suspicious towards refugees (and their faiths) even though they are simply trying to find a safer place for themselves and their families to live.
And don’t get me started on the colour of most people on TV – seriously, Neighbours has the occasional ‘token’ non-caucasian. This does not represent the typical Australian street! I totally agree with Alan’s comments. -
John S. Wilkins January 20, 2012
Over thirty years ago I dated a Chinese girl. I was attacked on the streets of Melbourne’s CBD during the day when with her – everytime. It might be thought things are better, but I hear people, particularly in Queensland, attacking the “boongs”, the “chinks” and the “Arabs”, all the while saying “I’m not racist, but…”. And these are within my own family.
Australians are hard core racists across the board, with a few exceptions, and not talking about it, and not admitting it, makes the Pauline Hanson/John Howard style of xenophobia socially acceptable, and only empowers the racist pundits like Alan Jones.
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zahra amar January 20, 2012
Thank you Jessica a thoughtful piece on the truth of racism and bigotry in Australia. I hope that your visibility in the community truly makes a difference in raising awareness and changing attitudes in this country.
May Allah bless all your efforts.
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Pedestrienne January 20, 2012
Something I have found effective when people pull the whole “they’re not real Australians” thing to me about Australians of non-Caucasian race is to ask if I should “go back where I came from” too, since in spite of being raised in Australia, I wasn’t born here. I also once asked someone to explain to me what a “coon” was, claiming I hadn’t heard that word before. Comes across passive-aggressive as all get out, I know, but it works to embarrass the stuffing out of them, when they realise the only place they have to go is “But you’re white” or “Well, it’s a cruel slur to use in place of Indigenous Australian.”
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Kylie January 20, 2012
I am proud to be an aussie but sometimes damn right embarrassment I have been known to have more respect for some other countries with not mentioning whom even though they have one group i despise, i treat all nationalities equal pay attention to Born This Way by Lady Ga Ga! it has some meaningful words in it, so australia treat everybody equal and stop being pig headed about it nobody is perfect!
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Richard Hamilton January 20, 2012
I’m an Irish ‘economic migrant’ now settled in Australia and I have to say I don’t think the level of racism is any worse here than in comparable countries. I suppose this is only news if you buy into the myth that somehow Australia is more liberal and tolerant than anywhere else- which is itself a silly nationalist idea. .It’s no worse than the UK or Ireland; no better but no worse. I experienced genuine racism in my childhood living in England and I think the platitude that ‘we are all racist deep down’ is a copout. Of course we recognise and are interested in differences between people but to assimilate this to the genuinely racist and vile attitudes lets the real bad guys off the hook.
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Adam Fierdon January 20, 2012
Why are so many white people always counting the number of white faces? So many white people feel guilt if too many white people are grouped together.
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In Canada, where I’m from, white people feel a tremendous amount of discomfort and awkwardness when the number of white people are much higher than non-white. To combat this, we now import approximately 250,000 immigrants per year (mainly from Vietnam, India, and China) into Canada to help diversify and grow our country. Our major cities are now completely diversified with Vancouver and surrounding cities now with an Asian majority!
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Of course we need to combat racism. But the solution is not to simply import volumes of non-white people into Australia. One poster here even said her child is confused about all the white faces on a sports team — oh brother.
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Yes, let’s fight racism and xenophobic tendencies. But, god dammit, don’t feel such guilt if a sports team or a classroom or a neighbourhood has all white people. WHO CARES! Get over the guilt already! It’s OK for Australia to have a majority of white people and, yes, even have a strong Australian culture.
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And to Jessica — when the owner of that restaurant said, “the Indians are now taking over the kitchens”, and you write “that’s not true.” Why? Where is your evidence? Wouldn’t he know better than you? I know that Indians have nearly put me out of work for their cheap labour in web development. It would be ignorant if you simply said to me about MY field, “that’s not true.” (And it’s not “racist” for me to say so.”) -
dion January 20, 2012
Wonderful writing, saying it excactly as it is. Australia Day makes me cringe, i have witnessed dreadful rascism against fellow Australians on Jan 26. It is sad that people feel so threatened that they believe it justifies rascist attitudes or gives them licence to make rascist generalisations like a comment above. Rather they should reflect about their own ways and not turn to blaming others. Hoopla just keeps getting better.
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Ingrid January 20, 2012
Racism / Xenophopia is common to all human societies, so I learnt in my first year of anthropology. It has to do with social cohesion, however, to reject another person on the basis of ethnicity, is not only ignorant and unfair, but so outmoded, in this ever shrinking world. I see only one effective way to stop racism. Every fair minded person should speak out, when they witness racist behaviour. You never know, some people might reflect and learn.
I too was an immigrant and occasionally, before I became
fluent in English, felt the sting of rejection. I remember one teacher at a prestigious Grammar School saying: ‘ Oh, my mother would not even have spoken to you’. He meant that as an immigrant, I was too inferior for his English born mother. Another time, when my pre-school daughter had a little disagreement in the sandpit with her friend and said that she would not let her play with her toys again. The child, also a pre-schooler, who lived next door, went home crying. Within minutes the mother knocked on our front door, because she had erroniously assumed, that I had sent her child home. After the initial barrage of words her final outburst was ‘ why don’t you go home, you bloody Nazi’. So, although I am caucasian, my accent betrays me. I have learnt to ignore minor incidents like these, but really feel for people whose physical appearance makes them visible targets. So again, we need to speak out! -
Mary-Ellen January 20, 2012
WOW, “my my” what a can of worms has this topic has opened!! Born and bred in WA, MIDDLE aged Aboriginal woman and I just when I think I have seen it all up jumps this ugly topic again. Congratulations Jessica Rowe, it takes people like yourself from white middle class Australian backgrounds to state the obvious. Sadly it will all be hushed over within a couple of months, our Government cannot afford such gutter images to our TRULY wonderful country. For Australia to be shown to the world as having an UGLY RACIST underbelly, come on this is one debate that will NOT be allowed to go on.
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Bec January 20, 2012
I agree with your article whole-heartedly. However, it must be said that racism goes both ways.
I can’t tell you the number of times I’ve been abused by those who are not of white/Australian-heritage, for being white. I’ve been called tame names like Skip, to names I won’t write here. So yeah, I’m very much a supporter of equality, but equality means BOTH ways.
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Paul Clarke January 20, 2012
Good on you Jessica and hoopla. Great read. I reckon Charlie will rock it on the day wish I was there
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Brigid January 20, 2012
I experienced racism when I came here in 1977! I am caucasian, born in New Zealand, but I lived in Samoa for 5 years and had a very unusual accent when I got here. I was bullied mercilessly for it all through Primary school and into Secondary as well!! As far as ‘reverse racism’ goes, people who are discriminated against will then in turn discriminate against their detractors, if you look closely, the ones who are insulting white Australians are often the children of those who migrated here and experienced racism themselves…
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Patricia Murray January 21, 2012
Well written thoughtful article, thanks Jess. As an English woman who has lived here for 40 yrs I know how the taunts of “Pommie bastard” and “Are you a ten pound Pom ?” can hurt, but that is trivial compared to what others go through. Life is too short, we need to be tolerant of everyone, it is the HUMAN race not the caucasian race. Will it take invasion from another planet to bring all nationalities together? Grow up people,we are all the same under the top layer of skin, I am a nurse and only see how alike we all are, whatever our accent or colour. Let’s celebrate togetherness and good health on Australia day and be grateful to live in this glorious, sunny, beautiful country.
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James January 21, 2012
Jessica,
Why are people in the media, such as yourself, so un-educated? Race is not the problem. Cultural differences are. For example, if you and I were put in a line with a black person, the obvious perception is that the black person is the ‘different one’. Yet, that person may have many common interests with you and none with me, and once we look below the skin colour, I am in fact the odd one out in the line. Unfortunately you have jumped onto your media high horse and not analysed what race is, and therefore what racism is. Yes, Australia has a problem, but the problem is to do with ignorance of cultural and ethnic divides NOT race. Please use your terms correctly. And please, when you discuss such an issue it might be wise to look up the term ethnocentrism. Stick to reading your autocue please!
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Clare January 21, 2012
Just last week a friend began his sentence with: “I’m not racist, but…”. And if I hear one more friend of mine tell me they’ve got Asian friends but would never actually go out with one of them because they “don’t find them attractive”, I think I’ll lose it.
Yes, Australia is racist and I, too, often cringe on Australia Day at the tattoos and southern cross paraphernalia. But, having lived in Europe for 8 years, I don’t see Australia as any more racist than a lot of places. It’s simply part of our make-up to fear ‘the other’ and ‘the unknown’. I’m not sure the media and politicians can do much about it, except lead by example. And I don’t see that happening any time soon.-
Leela January 29, 2012
Veronique, you are obviously one of the caucasian racists. I have heard so many stories about white people shouting abuse at Asian-looking people, and it even happened to myself – THRICE in a year! Wow, it’s funny how come only white people shout at me huh?? I’ve never personally seen or heard any other race being violent or hurling abuse at white people. No, not Lebanese, not Indians, not Chinese. Immigrants come out this far to seek a better life, not create trouble. They probably only dislike caucasian Australians because of the bad treatment they were first given.
The racism I experience in Australia is the worst in any country I’ve been to. I came here liking Australia very much but I was so shocked after being shouted at on the streets just because I was walking around looking Asian – “Go home you f***ing ching”. My impression of Australia has totally changed. What did I do wrong? I’m contributing to society: I will have contributed at least $0.5 million to the country’s revenue after 6 years from school fees!!, I keep the environment cleaner than locals do here, and I definitely make an effort to be kind and polite. But now I look forward to going back to a better place of meritocracy and equality after my studies. Until the kind of racism Neurosurgeon Dr Teo mentioned stops, Australia will continue to experience a shortage of doctors because students like us will not be staying to be treated unfairly.
It’s ironic you say “The biggest victims of racism in Australia are the white anglo saxons whose ancestors slaved to develop and fought to protect this country.” Even in school international students learn about how the indigenous people of Australia were invaded on “Australian Day”, and how they fought to defend themselves and their land, only to be killed, raped, and have their children taken from them to be raised by whites, becoming the “stolen generation”. Aboriginals were not even given rights as citizens of their land! As an outsider, even I feel angry for them. Australia should be happy even with this current state of ‘peace’ between Aboriginals and the Invaders – it’s more than Australia deserves.
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Kazarh January 21, 2012
My mothers mother are a few generations Balmainer’s way back, her fathers grandmother was in a detention centre being a german jew as a young woman and dissappeared his mother was still classed as german. My grandfather was in the navey for 38yrs Australian born and bred….my fathers parents were from Malta ,grandfather was a interpreter for the army spoke 9 languages..gran was a good catholic gave birth to 20 babes…some died at birth and with diptheria, dad had 9 sisters and 2 brothers…most are children of grand/greatgrandparents we have all worked hard as we were shown to….my 2 children, father was born in the seychelle islands…..I am Australian….BUT history shows !!! australia has been more than generous….We were never taught at school during the war Italians and german people were in detention centres …farms out west!!! and hundreds of thousand young boys and men were killed fighting for Australia .My mothers side had no father for 3 generations.If there was another world war, how big would the detention farms be…flying out from airport…security well what can I say!!..If cost of living and buying a home was more resonable there might be 4 children not 1 point 9…. Happy Australia day …..I think Charlie Teo is a wonderful doctor with a unique spirit
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SayNoToRacism January 21, 2012
A Chinese friend once shared to me that a young white punk once yelled at her on the street saying things like, “Get the hell out of here you coolies!” And she ingeniously replied with, “Shut the hell up you prisoner!”
I was once admiring a pair of jeans on a mannequin, and a young white punk drove by and yelled things like, “Get a real girl, that’s just a mannequin!” and then speed off in his car. If I had the chance, I would have replied with, “Oh, has mommy been the only one shopping for all the clothes that you’re wearing, babyboy?”
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Kazarh January 21, 2012
I grew up in Leichhardt..I recall the days nobody ate pasta or salami….everyone had anglo surnames….I did not….mye things have gone a long way in my generation…A italian lady I worked with who was chased home from school as a child and teesed..told me a joke ..Italian fruit barrow in barrack st !! come get your fruit, come get your fruit before the dagoes…She says that is where the saying came from, her girls were dancers for the rugby league, cheer girls how Australian can one become in the next generation….I watched on the A.B.C how our Aussies are opening cafe’s in London popular as! Leichhardt was the only place I remember with chairs on the street norton St Parramatta rd end….We do embrace different culture with time…
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Kazarh January 21, 2012
was working at the Strand Palace Hotel in London in the 70′s 2 girls nurses from Melbourne came to wk ,doing the early morning breakfast still giggling after a late night out . A woman in her 50′s I geuss! with a number tatooed on her forearm from a war camp ,yelled out across the very large kitchen ,GO HOME YOU CONVICTS…there was about 8 Australian girls in the kitchen , we all roared with laughter not one of us had ever heard that insult before which tirned into a great laugh..Years later people are proud to have convict blood tough genes….
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Kazarh January 21, 2012
HARMER’S HOOPLA IS GREAT what a special site …Happy Australia day to you Wendy and Staff
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yogesh January 21, 2012
People are not wrong when they profess that Australia is GOD’s country. I came here as a student 12 years ago and have since achieved a lot. I love Australia more than my land of birth. I feel the occasional unfriendly vibes from people but that’s all part of the game. People generally fear the unknown especially when immigrants come in. But as an immigrant who has assimilated and loves Australia for what she is, I dont think its fair to call Australians racist. We should not allow a few bad apples to spoil it for the rest of us. God bless Australia and wishing everyone a Happy Australia day!!! May Australia continue to be the land of dreams for all of us.
Yogesh, Brisbane
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Ian January 22, 2012
Have to agree with the comments about previous waves of migrants being intolerant of more recent arrivees. my wife’s parents came from Italy in the 50s and raised a family here, but they and others of their generation have no time for Lebanese, vietnamese or African migrants. They seem to have forgotten how hard it was for them initially, having no English and trying to fit into a different and sometimes puzzling culture.
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Jo Mulholland January 23, 2012
Scary how the www can ‘see’ what I’m reading/doing. I received an email from someone also of Dutch background, passing on the usual so-called news from the Netherlands about what is happening there and expressing ‘surprise’, except that I seem to remember the same ‘surprise’ expressed when this did the rounds in previous years. I have a little booklet, written by a Dutch academic, in which he tried to explain, which he called: ‘Ik heb niks tegen Nederlanders’ (I have nothing against Netherlanders.) trying to demonstrate how wrong racism is. “Putting the shoe on the other foot.” I agree that immigrants can be just as prejudiced as anyone but that should not be used to excuse racism. Sad how Australia Day seems to attract this. I don’t believe that the racism was ever a secret. Nor that it dominates.
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Veronique January 24, 2012
Oh interesting timing folks. What a set up. The biggest victims of racism in Australia are the white anglo saxons whose ancestors slaved to develop and fought to protect this country. This does nothing to foster good relationships when many immigrants carry a racist and victim card and believe they can say what they like because only the white race can be racist. Grow up!
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Sandra January 24, 2012
A discussion in my work place recently on the topic of ‘boat people’ and can we stop them coming here and ruining it for ‘US’ …the participants… a Phillipino women who has been in Australia for 10 years, a south American women who married an Aussie 25 years ago, and a 30 year old male from the Phillipines who married an Aussie 2 years ago…. When I pointed out they were boat people but had come by plane… I dont understand the lack of empathy from those who have travelled the same road.
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Veronique January 25, 2012
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Fotini January 25, 2012
I am very proudly of Greek heritage (I am first generation Australian) and am even more proud to have been born in this country. I work for immigrants and keep company with people who have migrated here. Having been socialised thusly I have this to say: racism is not an Australian problem, it’s a human problem. Almost everyone I know has that streak in them.
I also contain a discriminatory streak within me. I have no good pathos toward people who are here ungratefully, take advantage of the resources the government and wider populace have given to help them and bitch about being here with what ever toungue (mother or otherwise) they use to spit there venom on our great land. And these people constitute a mere handful of those who find their way to our shores. You’d find a greater deal of these people born here! As long as you are happy to be here, we’ll happily have you!
Just ignore the racists and other miscellaneous morons who would judge you badly based on your appearance. Also if you have experienced discrimination based on your colour or creed be mindful that someone of your ilk has done likewise to another. It doesn’t make it right but you can’t let it marginalise you. Racism is the trait of an individual and not a reflection on you. -
Rosie Lee January 25, 2012
It is kind of embarrassing to talk about white people being the biggest victims of racism in Australia, Veronique. Maybe we are just the most insecure or we wouldn’t feel so threatened. It is especially embarrassing to squabble about entitlement and ownership in front of the original (i.e. the Aborignal) people of this continent whose lifestyle and culture has been rudely interrupted and largely decimated by settlers and who continue to be pushed to the margins and to struggle to find a positive way forward.
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Shockadelic February 6, 2012
Yes, Jessica, we can’t just import the cheeses. We must import the people who import the cheeses.
And you’dknow better than the chef what’s happening in the kitchens.
Can’t we be better than the rest of the world? No.
Because we have the same psychic forces at work in our minds as all other people.We are not afraid of the “unknown”. We are afraid of what has been known and witnessed repeatedly: ethnic conflict.
Keep it up Jess, and watch our country tear itself apart. -
Samm May 25, 2012
People say “play the racist card” but what do you gain from claiming racism? You gain nothing from identifying racism, their is no prize or reward, I dont understand the logic, I think its more a case of good people stating the obvious, their is no reward so deal with the issue instead of playing the victim with the statement “playing the racist card” if thats the racist defence this is going to continue for a long time, some one please explain how someone benefits from claiming racism towards them?
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Sean Borg June 14, 2012
It’s great to see mature conversations regading racism in Australia. I am born and bred in Australia, I have a Irish First Name, A Swedish Surname, Olive Skin and Parents originating from Malta. Yes, I copt a lot of racisim while growing up in Sydney’s Western Suburbs. In actual fact I became disconnected to Australia and moved to my Parents ex Homeland for 2 Years..Malta. I found more racism against me, Italians and Germans there. Today I live in great part of Sydney where the only time a Nationality is mentioned is when we decide to go out for dinner in choosing a dish. Life has changed for the better in Australia, yes there will always be racism or polite racism, but who cares we are one. Thank God for Australia’s Melting Pot. P.S I do not watch the News as it is a waste of time. If you want to stop the Negative Stuff entering our minds, switch channels. News is the main course of Social Negativity. We live in the best country in the World, Enjoy it!
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Lucille November 21, 2012
I am not a racist, but I think I am a religionist. I do not like the way religions or maybe their male leaders dictate how women should behave, or what they wear. And I do not understand why Muslim women put up with wearing clothing covering them from head to foot; why catholic women won’t take control of their own bodies, etc., and they have absolutely no say in the organizations to which they belong. I still retain the vision of a woman fully covered, walking with a bloke in footy shorts and thongs – no shirt. It was a very hot day.
I would prefer that the refugees attempting to come here be processed here AND allowed to stay in the community. We have plenty of room, and surely processing onshore would create jobs and be cheaper than Nauru.
Maybe I just strongly disagree with religion, and I really believe god was invented by man.
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whitehonkycracker January 29, 2013
watch mississippi burning if you want to see racism. name calling isnt racism. Australians are the most tolerant fairest people in the world, we put up with each other and celebrate our diversity.
go to africa, India or bosnia if you want to see real racism in action. theyre killing and mutilating each other over there. Its not happening in Australia – name calling might be happening but Ive been spat on and attacked because of my skin colour alone im an anglo saxon man. Im not on here whingeing about how unfair it all is being marginalised because of my skin colour. every day i work with people of colour and im yet to see any anti coloured violence. Aussies arent racist. -
Judy Browning February 8, 2013
Thank you Jessica, you have thoughtfully articulated what I hold dear. We are a highly racist society. Rehabbing form a leg injury in the exercise pool on many occasions, have ground my teeth at the off handed casual racist ignorant remarks regarding the ‘others’. The day i stop being angry and frustrated by these off hand or vicious remarks, my humanity is lost.
