Political Crossfire Forums

easytiger · Joined: 28 Mar 2006 Posts: 6 Location: melbourne

Is Australia a Racist Country? There's been a lot of talk lately about what it is to be Australian. There have been cries of racism from both sides of the debate. I believe a lot of what passes for racism is indeed a kind of cultural-ism. I don't think Australians are an intrinsically racist people.

Blinky · Joined: 18 Mar 2006 Posts: 2101

easytiger wrote: Is Australia a Racist Country? There's been a lot of talk lately about what it is to be Australian. There have been cries of racism from both sides of the debate. I believe a lot of what passes for racism is indeed a kind of cultural-ism. I don't think Australians are an intrinsically racist people.

I agree. I actually don't think racism exists here in the same form it does in a place like the USA. In the USA you'll see people discriminate against people purely bassed on the colour of their skin. While that does happen here to an extent, I definately think it is more cultural-ist. People here don't like to be confronted with different languages, habits, and moral values. I don't blame anyone for that. Every culture thinks itself superior to others - otherwise it would adapt the elements of that superior culture that it felt itself to be lacking.
"Racist" is often a misused word. I've even heard people call discrimination against religion "racist". It seems it has become the label to apply to any sort of discrimination. Probably because its easy and has really bad connotations.

lowchen · Joined: 19 Mar 2006 Posts: 418

Blah, Blah, blah. Im of color and Ive been to Australia. Are there some racists? sure. but where arent there? Ever been to Kingston, Jamaica? every nation has racist elements

Bubbles · Joined: 08 Jun 2006 Posts: 59 Location: Here

Australia is a racist country. I think the majority are racist, and our current PM is doing nothing to improve this situation. We have become a lot less tolerant of people from other countries. Damn we don't even look after our own indigenous folk. After the Cronulla riots, our PM stated that these riots were not race related. I'm sorry??? Did he see any of the footage? It's a shame because for so long we embraced multi culturalism, and now we look sideways at anyone who doesn't fit the bronzed Aussie stereotype.

Blinky · Joined: 18 Mar 2006 Posts: 2101

Has anyone ever been to Eastern Europe? Gypsies and anyone not an ethnic local is generally treated like s**t.
I can't say that the same doesn't happen here, but it is far less widespread or as deeply ingrained as it is in some parts of the world.
Racism exists everywhere, as has been said, but Australia is not a racist country as a whole, in my experience.
Anyone who thinks so should visit parts of the world where racism is rampant to get a good dose of perspective.

Bubbles · Joined: 08 Jun 2006 Posts: 59 Location: Here

Blinky wrote: Has anyone ever been to Eastern Europe? Gypsies and anyone not an ethnic local is generally treated like s**t.
I can't say that the same doesn't happen here, but it is far less widespread or as deeply ingrained as it is in some parts of the world.
Racism exists everywhere, as has been said, but Australia is not a racist country as a whole, in my experience.
Anyone who thinks so should visit parts of the world where racism is rampant to get a good dose of perspective.

Blinky...as a person of ethnic background (although born and raised in Australia) and having travelled extensively, I can safely conclude that we are a racist country. I see it first hand daily. I have travelled to nearly every country in Europe as well as Asia, Africa and the US.

Yes there is racism everywhere but that is not what this thread is about. It specifically asks if Australia is a racist country. NOT is it the most racist country....I don't think anyone could argue with certainty that we ARE the most racist. Our biggest problem with racism is towards our indigenous folk. I see that daily as I live in an area that is heavily populated by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders.

When my father first arrived in Australia as a refugee from strife torn Croatia, he was welcomed wholeheartedly.

Now when we see a boat load of refugees we detain them illegally and label them because of their religion and beliefs. We are one of the worst performers when it comes to how we treat immigrants and refugees.

Racist??? Indeed.

Blinky · Joined: 18 Mar 2006 Posts: 2101

Bubbles wrote: Blinky wrote: Has anyone ever been to Eastern Europe? Gypsies and anyone not an ethnic local is generally treated like s**t.
I can't say that the same doesn't happen here, but it is far less widespread or as deeply ingrained as it is in some parts of the world.
Racism exists everywhere, as has been said, but Australia is not a racist country as a whole, in my experience.
Anyone who thinks so should visit parts of the world where racism is rampant to get a good dose of perspective.

Blinky...as a person of ethnic background (although born and raised in Australia) and having travelled extensively, I can safely conclude that we are a racist country. I see it first hand daily. I have travelled to nearly every country in Europe as well as Asia, Africa and the US.

Yes there is racism everywhere but that is not what this thread is about. It specifically asks if Australia is a racist country. NOT is it the most racist country....I don't think anyone could argue with certainty that we ARE the most racist. Our biggest problem with racism is towards our indigenous folk. I see that daily as I live in an area that is heavily populated by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders.

When my father first arrived in Australia as a refugee from strife torn Croatia, he was welcomed wholeheartedly.

Now when we see a boat load of refugees we detain them illegally and label them because of their religion and beliefs. We are one of the worst performers when it comes to how we treat immigrants and refugees.

Racist??? Indeed.

If ALL countries are racists, then asking if Australia is as well is pretty pointless isn't it? ALL countries.

The point is to see how racist Australia is in the scheme of things. That's why I tried to add some perspective.
I am also first generation Australian, my parents also fled from war-torn parts of Europe, I have also travelled extensively. It doesn't make either of us experts, it merely facilitates us passing slighter broader opinions.

You can't equate the refugees today with that of our parents generation. When my parents migrated to Australia, they were most certainly not welcome with open arms - but they kept their heads down, worked their fingers to the bone, and contributed in a positive way without the assistance of any kind of social welfare (it wasn't available). They were just stoked that they had gotten out of Europe.

Somebloke · Joined: 08 May 2006 Posts: 2406 Location: London

Compared to most other nations, absolutely not. There is a degree of racism here- there is a degree of racism everywhere- but not nearly at the same levels as most other nations.

Zoot · Joined: 31 Oct 2005 Posts: 1897

A racist country? I thought it was THE racist country.

Blinky · Joined: 18 Mar 2006 Posts: 2101

What I was trying to say. It's about perspective.
As far as that goes, I would say that in my experinece, Australia is relatively tolerant.

DSwain · Joined: 09 Jun 2006 Posts: 3552

Those of you who term Australia a racist country or even the most racist country (?!) - would you care to outline the rationale behind your statements?

And please - no John Pilger.....

Blinky · Joined: 18 Mar 2006 Posts: 2101

Several days have passed and the rationale has not appeared. Perhaps people have done their research and decided to withdraw their pointing fingers.

DSwain · Joined: 09 Jun 2006 Posts: 3552

Blinky wrote: Several days have passed and the rationale has not appeared. Perhaps people have done their research and decided to withdraw their pointing fingers.

That or they've sobered up.....

adleberg · Joined: 20 Jun 2006 Posts: 164

Australia is not a racist country. I used to sit in a classroom with italians and chinese and irish and english and american and indian and our school had 112 sudanese refugees and I myself am scandanavian, that was just one english class in country Aus, not even an urban centre! There is racism everywhere, it is inherent in our nature to distrust those different from us. If you are asking whether Australian society needs to change? No. We are already so damned PC that its coming full circle. The 'racist' attitudes that came to the fore of late (eg. Cronulla..which I do not condone) were a backlash to the rediculous PC environment we have been forced to live in under a McCarthyist like fear of being labelled a 'racist'.

fosters · Joined: 12 Jan 2006 Posts: 22

Bubbles wrote: Australia is a racist country. I think the majority are racist, and our current PM is doing nothing to improve this situation. We have become a lot less tolerant of people from other countries. Damn we don't even look after our own indigenous folk. After the Cronulla riots, our PM stated that these riots were not race related. I'm sorry??? Did he see any of the footage? It's a shame because for so long we embraced multi culturalism, and now we look sideways at anyone who doesn't fit the bronzed Aussie stereotype.

But wasnt that cronulla thing a reaction to arab australian youth bullying beach goers? To me it looked like the white Australians were sticking up for themselves

adleberg · Joined: 20 Jun 2006 Posts: 164

In Cronulla the police were in RIOT GEAR and any fights were broken up instantly. All but one of the guys who got bashed went to cronulla looking for a fight and underestimated the turnout. Later that night the Lebanese community in punchbowl retaliated by going around at midnight and bashing any unsuspecting kids who were out. If you dont believe me search for the CCTV videos of punchbowl that night and there are two atm cams that picked up some of the mob violence. The police knew the gang was there and didnt do anything because for too long they have had to deal with a PC culture.

Blinky · Joined: 18 Mar 2006 Posts: 2101

fosters wrote: Bubbles wrote: Australia is a racist country. I think the majority are racist, and our current PM is doing nothing to improve this situation. We have become a lot less tolerant of people from other countries. Damn we don't even look after our own indigenous folk. After the Cronulla riots, our PM stated that these riots were not race related. I'm sorry??? Did he see any of the footage? It's a shame because for so long we embraced multi culturalism, and now we look sideways at anyone who doesn't fit the bronzed Aussie stereotype.

But wasnt that cronulla thing a reaction to arab australian youth bullying beach goers? To me it looked like the white Australians were sticking up for themselves

You can decide for yourself. Have a read of this though:
http://www.politicalcrossfire.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=49955

superskippy · Joined: 14 Jul 2005 Posts: 7892 Location: Petah Tikva

I dont think Australia in the modern day is racist, it has it's radical percentage just like any modern western nation, and comparisons between it and the US are just going to end in one up manship "Your countries more racist!". For example it wasnt so long ago that a White Australia policy existed and I think most of us can say that was certaintly racist.

Comparisons are silly and will go nowhere.

DSwain · Joined: 09 Jun 2006 Posts: 3552

superskippy wrote: I dont think Australia in the modern day is racist, it has it's radical percentage just like any modern western nation, and comparisons between it and the US are just going to end in one up manship "Your countries more racist!". For example it wasnt so long ago that a White Australia policy existed and I think most of us can say that was certaintly racist.

Comparisons are silly and will go nowhere.

Quite so, superskippy - although 'White Austrlalia' is not that recent - the policy was abolished in 1973 (although it had been ebbing away for some years before that).

superskippy · Joined: 14 Jul 2005 Posts: 7892 Location: Petah Tikva

Yes but the last vestige of the policy didnt get overturned until 1983 which encouraged the immigration and relocation of white british nationals.

Also being a history buff myself I cant help but consider anything from 1945 and later recent history. :lol:

Though even for average people I think they'd consider something that was 20-30 years ago recent history.