View Full Version : Racist Aussies?
Having read many UK and Aussie messageboards over the past couple of years, one thing that's apparent is the higher level of racism which seems to go unchecked on Aussie forums.
Are Australians more racists than their British counterparts?
London Dave
19 Jun 2002, 23:19
No, we just tend to live by 'sticks and stones' a bit more in my experience. Some people can be a little too precious, as evidenced by some of the threads on this board!
In my experience, Australians are more racist than I first thought (having gone to a very multicultural highschool, I didn't realise racism existed in this country until I got into the real world.) However I wouldn't say we're more racist than in Britain. On my last trip to England, I heard a great deal of racism directed towards Pakistanis. Maybe it's about the same. Unfortunately there are racist people everywhere.
Originally posted by London Dave
No, we just tend to live by 'sticks and stones' a bit more in my experience. Some people can be a little too precious, as evidenced by some of the threads on this board!
What, you mean the native Aussies?
In my experience, RL fans in the UK are less racist than their counterparts in Oz, but then, they are far more enlightened in every way.
I would say that Aussies are less racist than your typical Georgian - US version.
vanders
20 Jun 2002, 11:17
Racism is everywhere, and u cant really stop it, but considering we have such a muti-cultural society, i'd say racism in this country is pretty high.
Bomber Spirit
20 Jun 2002, 19:38
There'll always be the odd racist around, but most Australians aren't racist.
evade28
20 Jun 2002, 20:14
and arent u being racist by saying that one particular race is more racist then any other????
Originally posted by evade28
and arent u being racist by saying that one particular race is more racist then any other????
This is a recipe to disappear up your own fundament, or maybe that's what you're saying.
By the dictionary definition there are few racists in Australia.
By generally accepted definitition everyone in the world is a racist but very few have what it takes to admit to it.
We were born with the ability to make choices ie to discriminate. We discriminate many times daily. Our discrimination naturally involves race. To deny it is to deny life itself.
Originally posted by Frodo
By the dictionary definition there are few racists in Australia.
By generally accepted definitition everyone in the world is a racist but very few have what it takes to admit to it.
We were born with the ability to make choices ie to discriminate. We discriminate many times daily. Our discrimination naturally involves race. To deny it is to deny life itself.
Still living in Western Australia I see.
Bloodstained Angel
21 Jun 2002, 15:39
... and still in denial as well ...
Fat Red
21 Jun 2002, 16:30
Scarily, I sort of agree with Frodo. I try as hard as I can not to be prejudiced, but if I see say a Maori guy coming down a dark lane I will be more scared than if I see a white guy. I'm sorry if that offends anyone, I know that perception is ugly, but it is my reaction.
HOWEVER, there's nothing inborn about it. It's been drummed into me by stereotype. It can be drummed out.
dreamkillers
21 Jun 2002, 18:58
Originally posted by Frodo
By the dictionary definition there are few racists in Australia.
For those that haven't seen the dictionary definition.........courtesy of Cambridge International Dictionary of English
RACISM
The belief that people's qualities are influenced by their race and that the members of other races are not as good as the members of your own, which results in the other races being treated unfairly
RACIST
A racist is someone who believes that other races are not as good as their own and therefore treats them unfairly.
You open your eyes and see a black fella. You say to yourself "he's an aborigine". That was a racist judgement. You are a racist. And so are we all.
Santos L Helper
21 Jun 2002, 22:52
Originally posted by Frodo
You open your eyes and see a black fella. You say to yourself "he's an aborigine". That was a racist judgement. You are a racist. And so are we all.
I see you have the Frod version of all dictionaries, ie. the version that fits whatever Frodo thinks.
Bomber Spirit
22 Jun 2002, 00:30
Originally posted by Frodo
You open your eyes and see a black fella. You say to yourself "he's an aborigine". That was a racist judgement. You are a racist. And so are we all. To identify someone as an aborigine isn't necessarily racist. But to then assume that because they're an aborigine that they are inferior to a white person is racist.
Cletus Delroy
22 Jun 2002, 12:51
Originally posted by Frodo
By the dictionary definition there are few racists in Australia.
By generally accepted definitition everyone in the world is a racist but very few have what it takes to admit to it.
We were born with the ability to make choices ie to discriminate. We discriminate many times daily. Our discrimination naturally involves race. To deny it is to deny life itself.
Hear, hear.
Cletus Delroy
22 Jun 2002, 12:53
Originally posted by Bloodstained Angel
... and still in denial as well ...
Welcome back BSA, we've been missing you a lot (here on Bigfooty).
Cletus Delroy
22 Jun 2002, 12:56
Originally posted by Santos L Helper
I see you have the Frod version of all dictionaries, ie. the version that fits whatever Frodo thinks.
What, and you're not blinded by your own predjudices, and viewpoints ?.
Goldenblue
22 Jun 2002, 13:16
Racism exists in all cultures and all races.
I know many racist whites, I know racist non whites.
Religions are racist to other types of religions.
Regadless of what these idiotic left winged social engineers think, it will never be stamped out till the human race has disappeared from this Earth.
Great issue to debate, but it will never go away......
Santos L Helper
22 Jun 2002, 13:20
Originally posted by Goldenblue
Racism exists in all cultures and all races.
I know many racist whites, I know racist non whites.
Religions are racist to other types of religions.
Regadless of what these idiotic left winged social engineers think, it will never be stamped out till the human race has disappeared from this Earth.
Great issue to debate, but it will never go away......
So anyone who want's racism stamped out is an 'idiotic left winged social engineer'? I know racism is here to stay, but it doesn't mean I can't speak out against it.
Blue'n'Gold
22 Jun 2002, 13:28
Originally posted by Frodo
You open your eyes and see a black fella. You say to yourself "he's an aborigine". That was a racist judgement. You are a racist. And so are we all.
being able to identify someones nationality or race doesn't automatically make you racist...
if I listen to someone speak and think... "they are welsh" .. does that mean i am racist?
All it means is they have a welsh accent and i have recognised it... no different when you are able to see cultural differences ... just because you are able to recognize them doesn't mean you think less of them than any other nationality or race
evade28
22 Jun 2002, 13:41
so when u see an aussie BTige, u think "oh they are prolly racist". when you are being racist yourself.
people are racist through sterotyping and prejudice. everyone is whether they admit it or not. so too bad.
Goldenblue
23 Jun 2002, 13:26
Originally posted by Santos L Helper
So anyone who want's racism stamped out is an 'idiotic left winged social engineer'? I know racism is here to stay, but it doesn't mean I can't speak out against it.
No, I am not saying that. I myself would love to see racism gone, but those so called social engineers who think it can be done are simply dreaming.
My point is:
There is racism against different nationalities and cultures.
There is racism against different religions. (all religions think they are the right ones and everyone else is wrong)
There is racism against the sexes too.
If you can stamp this out and believe it can be done, then I wish you luck.
clucas91
23 Jun 2002, 13:48
Many Australians are racist from a foreign perspective, but among ourselves are not.
I have seen many examples among people of my parents generation and particularly the elderly, who can come out with very racist comments, but I am the only person who notices them.
For example, my mother often points out the skills of those 'Asian drivers', or my grandparents often refer to Asians as 'those slit-eyes'.
Seemingly innocent comments among Australians, but ignorant and rude to others.
Just a word on the difference between racism and discrimination. This is really just my opinion, but I think I'm also allowed to have one of them, strangely enough.
I have a friend who happens to have red hair and also has brown eyes. When someone asks me "Which one of your friends is Jess?" I say 'the one with the red hair" because her red hair distinguishes her and her brown eyes don't. That doesn't make me hairist, because I don't think that people with black or brown hair are better than those with red hair. It means I've discriminated, because I have to discriminate between people or else everyone is exactly the same. Just like many of my friends play netball, but one is a gymnast, I might describe that person as a gymnast, but it doesn't mean that I'm being sportist. If that gymnast is a blonde, I don't then go on to say that all blondes are gymnasts.
All of the isms such as sexism, racism, ageism, do include discrimination, but it's not discrimination alone - it's discrimination as well as excluding, attacking, belittling, or judging in some way.
By the way, I'm yet to see any evidence racism is something that's natural, and so I see no reason why it can't change
Porthos
23 Jun 2002, 22:41
By the definitions of racism given here, I'm not racist.
I am, however, clubbist. :eek:
Originally posted by evade28
so when u see an aussie BTige, u think "oh they are prolly racist". when you are being racist yourself.
people are racist through sterotyping and prejudice. everyone is whether they admit it or not. so too bad.
I don't meet many Aussies, but I wouldn't label them any more racist than most.
My question was originally designed to stir up some debate on the serious matter.
And even if I did accuse Australians of being racist, that wouldn't label me a racist. You can't be racist against those with the same racial charcteristics as yourself.
Racism often get's mistaken for discrimination.
Race - group of humans: any one of the groups into which the world’s population can be divided on the basis of physical characteristics such as skin or hair colour
Jim Boy
24 Jun 2002, 19:49
Originally posted by Fat Red
Scarily, I sort of agree with Frodo. I try as hard as I can not to be prejudiced, but if I see say a Maori guy coming down a dark lane I will be more scared than if I see a white guy. I'm sorry if that offends anyone, I know that perception is ugly, but it is my reaction.
Interesting statement. But I think what you are saying that you'd rather not meet some bloke six foot across at the shoulders with balck tshirt in dark alley, rather than some skinny runt. And that is fair enough, I would prefer it that way as well. But the underline problem is that you're assuming that a maori will fit that description and that a white guy won't.
But ask yourself, would you rather meet a skinny maori runt in an alleyway, or a white bloke who might double as a body guard for Mike Tyson.
If you'd still rather meet the white guy (and I don't think you would) then I'd be worried for you.
On the general topic, yeah there are plenty of ozzie racists, not as many as a lot of countries, but it still really needs to be worked upon. Unfortunately Howard is working on it, by encouraging racism through working on and stoking the electorate's fears of 'outsiders'.
Originally posted by BTige
You can't be racist against those with the same racial charcteristics as yourself.
I disagree. There are many examples different cultures with very little tangible difference between each other, who have extremely "racist" views towards each other.
Likewise, even within some cultures, racism may occur between levels of "castes".
Trust a ****en pom to start this thread. Nag nag nag.
Originally posted by M29
Trust a ****en pom to start this thread. Nag nag nag.
How do you know I'm really a Pom?
Originally posted by Stocka
I disagree. There are many examples different cultures with very little tangible difference between each other, who have extremely "racist" views towards each other.
Likewise, even within some cultures, racism may occur between levels of "castes".
Disagree all you like. What you percieve as a type of racism is really another form of discrimination/prejudice - Nationalism, regionalism, culturalism.
The caste system has nothing to do with race. It's no more than a form of a rigid class system. It's like saying the British class system is racist.
Originally posted by Bomber Spirit
To identify someone as an aborigine isn't necessarily racist. But to then assume that because they're an aborigine that they are inferior to a white person is racist.
old definition methinks.
The dictionary says exactly that but it's not accepted any more. The mere mentioning of anything concerned with race is now considered to be racism.
I don't think any race is inferior to another but I'm often labeled racist because I mention a race. Now I just accept that by popular opinion I am.
Originally posted by Blue'n'Gold
being able to identify someones nationality or race doesn't automatically make you racist...
if I listen to someone speak and think... "they are welsh" .. does that mean i am racist?
All it means is they have a welsh accent and i have recognised it... no different when you are able to see cultural differences ... just because you are able to recognize them doesn't mean you think less of them than any other nationality or race
Good opinion but not supported.
If I see an aboriginal gang beating up some pensioners and i think 'they are aboribinal' because i recognise their looks and I write here what I saw then I am called a racist.
Now, as a race I don't see aboriginals as being inferior but my comments are interpreted nonetheless as being racist.
The word 'rasism' is now being used as an effective curb on freedom of speech. ie we are being manipulated and the sheep just keep on baaaa.......ing
Originally posted by aggels
Just a word on the difference between racism and discrimination. This is really just my opinion, but I think I'm also allowed to have one of them, strangely enough.
I have a friend who happens to have red hair and also has brown eyes. When someone asks me "Which one of your friends is Jess?" I say 'the one with the red hair" because her red hair distinguishes her and her brown eyes don't. That doesn't make me hairist, because I don't think that people with black or brown hair are better than those with red hair. It means I've discriminated, because I have to discriminate between people or else everyone is exactly the same. Just like many of my friends play netball, but one is a gymnast, I might describe that person as a gymnast, but it doesn't mean that I'm being sportist. If that gymnast is a blonde, I don't then go on to say that all blondes are gymnasts.
All of the isms such as sexism, racism, ageism, do include discrimination, but it's not discrimination alone - it's discrimination as well as excluding, attacking, belittling, or judging in some way.
By the way, I'm yet to see any evidence racism is something that's natural, and so I see no reason why it can't change
Good addition.
The whole point is that what used to be seen as 'unwanted' is
UNFAIR RACIAL DISCRIMINATION
and it is the word 'unfair' that is the key word.
And that should still stand today.
There is a trend to reduce the amount of descriptive words we speak or write. This typifies what has happened.
20 years ago UNFAIR RACIAL DISCRIMINISM
10 years ago RACIAL DISCRIMINATION
now RACISM
It's all about the same thing but we've bastardised the English
Originally posted by Frodo
There is a trend to reduce the amount of descriptive words we speak or write. This typifies what has happened.
20 years ago UNFAIR RACIAL DISCRIMINISM
10 years ago RACIAL DISCRIMINATION
now RACISM
It's all about the same thing but we've bastardised the English
My original question was aimed at the problem of racism. If others wish to bring in other forms of discrimination and prejudice, that's their problem.
Having lived in the southern USA and area's of the UK where the ghetto is part of everyday life, I think I know a bit of what I'm talking about. However, that doesn't mean I have nothing to learn on this subject.
There are some with the most bizarre (Medieval) idea's about who should live where and do what with who.
Originally posted by BTige
Disagree all you like.
Yes, I will, if I want to. That's the whole point of the board . . . to have a discussion in which people can feel free to agree or disagree.
Although, I find that particular comment of yours a bit strange (in fact, your response tends to have 'troll' written all over it). If you can't handle someone debating a particular point in question with you, then perhaps this isn't your place . . .
Originally posted by BTige
What you percieve as a type of racism is really another form of discrimination/prejudice - Nationalism, regionalism, culturalism.
The caste system has nothing to do with race. It's no more than a form of a rigid class system. It's like saying the British class system is racist.
A touch pedantic, I think. I actually never commented on what I perceive as "racism", and in fact, the terminology was hardly the point of my post, and it certainly doesn't really relate to how my response related to your comment.
At any rate, I also tend to think that you've decontextualised one or two comments that I made (while ignoring others) pertaining to my point, and applied some sort of 'negative' judgment via the appraisal of your own (unsupported) personal perspective, which really has not aided the discussion at all.
You originally commented that people of the same racial background could not be racist towards each other, to which I replied that there are many arguable examples of such. I hardly think your questioning of terminology used, or the circumstances you applied to my particular point were appropriate in regards to the point in discussion (more of a deflection, than a debate).
Originally posted by Stocka
At any rate, I also tend to think that you've decontextualised one or two comments that I made (while ignoring others) pertaining to my point, and applied some sort of 'negative' judgment via the appraisal of your own (unsupported) personal perspective, which really has not aided the discussion at all.
Is that an entry for the Campagn For Real English or what?
I've never either deliberately contextualised or decontextualised a thing in my life. I suppose there's a first time for everything.
If I'm a pedant, where does that put you?
Originally posted by BTige
How do you know I'm really a Pom?
I thought you said you were in a post here somewhere. And they way you used the word smeg on the music board. Unless you're a red dwarf fan, not many here in Oz.
Aussie are not that racist what is misunderstood about Australians is that we are a culture where we joke about things alot and prefer things to be out in the open. If you can't have a laugh then don't bother having a life.
Being racist is not about making a comment it is about your actions. The parts of the community who say that they are being discrimminated against are actually some of the most racist part of the community themselves. The Vietnamese community is not what I would call an open community willing to accept outsiders nor are some othe asian groups, they congregate in the own social groups inter-marry and do not try to assimilate so who is racist. I have travelled and hae found that the English, French, Greeks, many Asian cultures are more racist than us.
Their is always the point that they have come here and must adapt to more of our customs than us to theirs if they don't like it then go home. I will not change my ways and I will still tell ethnic jokes as I tell them for a laugh, if some has a problem with that then f*ck off.
Frodo, do you ever get the impression you are tallking to youself?
Originally posted by skilts
Frodo, do you ever get the impression you are tallking to youself?
If I did then you just proved me wrong :D
you can lead a horse to water
but you can't make him drink
Originally posted by Slax
Aussie are not that racist what is misunderstood about Australians is that we are a culture where we joke about things alot and prefer things to be out in the open. If you can't have a laugh then don't bother having a life.
Being racist is not about making a comment it is about your actions. The parts of the community who say that they are being discrimminated against are actually some of the most racist part of the community themselves. The Vietnamese community is not what I would call an open community willing to accept outsiders nor are some othe asian groups, they congregate in the own social groups inter-marry and do not try to assimilate so who is racist. I have travelled and hae found that the English, French, Greeks, many Asian cultures are more racist than us.
Their is always the point that they have come here and must adapt to more of our customs than us to theirs if they don't like it then go home. I will not change my ways and I will still tell ethnic jokes as I tell them for a laugh, if some has a problem with that then f*ck off.
It's quite possible that many Asians, Africans etc, are more racist than white Australians.
Being a racist can be about comments if those comments are designed to stir up hatred. Dr Goebbels would know about all that.
Are the Poms anymore racist than Aussies?
Originally posted by M29
I thought you said you were in a post here somewhere. And they way you used the word smeg on the music board. Unless you're a red dwarf fan, not many here in Oz.
I am a smeggin Pom, but you presumed that because I'm from the British Isles that I was a Pom.
Anyhow, I'm part Welsh, are they poms?
Originally posted by BTige
Anyhow, I'm part Welsh, are they poms?
Beh, you're all the same to me. :)
Originally posted by M29
Beh, you're all the same to me. :)
Yeah, from 12,000 miles away, I suppose we are.
Why do you have a Manchester postcode for a monicker?;)
Sydneyfan
27 Jun 2002, 23:45
It can be difficult to generalise and brand a whole nation as racist, it's much easier (rightly or wrongly) to brand a Government as racist however. Within a nation or even within cities there can be varying levels of racism due to many factors. I'd consider the UK as having overall quite a good reputation as being a culturally diverse and inclusive society, particularly in London and other larger cities but last year there were riots between Causasian and (South) Asians in the northern cities of Bradford, Leeds and Oldham.
London overall has a good record as being a culturally diverse and inclusive society but when my sister was living in the East End for a while a couple of years ago, she had a window smashed and it was believed a motive could have been the fact that her landlady was Jamaican and there had been a lot of friction and similar incidents between the West Indian community and Cauasian community in that area (it was area with a history of poor race relations, being a National Front stronghold where a lot of white youths in the area where pro-nationalist skinheads).
Australia overall is a culturally inclusive and diverse nation but there are definitely places where if you were black you'd be likely to experience discrimination, country NSW and country Queensland for example. Sydney also is a culturally inclusive and diverse city but there's parts of Sydney where the race relations between certain races are strained, for example the Canterbury-Bankstown area between the Causasian and Arab communities.
Australia does have a racist past but in the last thirty years has done a lot to eliminate its racism, but some racism stills lingers, and there's always going to be a segment of any community who are racist.
In conclusion, some Australians are racist, most are not. I think that Australia would be less racist than most countries of the world. Canada seems to be one country however, which like Australia has very high levels of immigration but seems to have quite low levels of racism, and is possibly less racist than Australia, but then again there's still some lingering strains and tension between the Anglo- and French-Canadian community, so no place is perfect! ;)
Originally posted by BTige
Why do you have a Manchester postcode for a monicker?;)
Is it really? I have no idea. Honestly. :)
Mobbenfuhrer
28 Jun 2002, 07:07
Originally posted by BTige
I am a smeggin Pom, but you presumed that because I'm from the British Isles that I was a Pom.
Anyhow, I'm part Welsh, are they poms?
Nope ... or, well, sortah.
I think the term is "Pwllyllmwymmllommy"
(intended in jest)
RIP Neddie Seagoon! I can see you don't come from sardines, Jim.
That depends, in north Wales it's: Llyyppllyppygllairmfyannybrnymwyrgwyllyphyllorych
TigerCraig
1 Jul 2002, 17:00
I think Aussies are "culturalist" rather than "racist".
By that I mean that if a person of Asian appearance, say, opens their mouth and comes out with a broad Aussie accent, talks about the footy and cricket, and buys when its their shout, they will be perfectly accepted. I've seen heaps of examples of that.
A racist is someone who believes that their race is inherently better than another race, regardless of cultural experience, upbringing etc. I don't really see that here. But there is certainly intolerance of people who want to ACT differently.
SonOfScray
1 Jul 2002, 17:58
the Klan are racist.
The Nazis were / are racist.
The Taliban are racists.
Do, because of a few cultural differences and a tendency to make comments about ones race in jest, we as Aussies deserve to be labelled racists?
I think not.
In Japan many locals refer to westerners as 'roundeyes' very similar to the way many westerners refer to asians as "slopes / slanty eyes' really whats the difference?
From the overseas perspective Aussies are honest bastards that speak as they see it without using nice poetry. And I love that perspective.
Better to call someone an ugly black prik and be called a racist rather than an 'unfortunately bred person of an alternate culture who is of dislikeable character'
ps all insults in reply will be forwarded to mein fuhrer for action ;).
Goldenblue
2 Jul 2002, 14:54
Originally posted by Frodo
From the overseas perspective Aussies are honest bastards that speak as they see it without using nice poetry. And I love that perspective.
Better to call someone an ugly black prik and be called a racist rather than an 'unfortunately bred person of an alternate culture who is of dislikeable character'
ps all insults in reply will be forwarded to mein fuhrer for action ;).
:D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D
I actually find some of the most racist people those who claim to be disgriminated against. They can't stop complaining and it's always gimmie gimmie gimmie.
So just burn the lot of them and the problem will disappear.
Originally posted by Slax
I actually find some of the most racist people those who claim to be disgriminated against. They can't stop complaining and it's always gimmie gimmie gimmie.
So just burn the lot of them and the problem will disappear.
I don't think you know what racism is BOY!
Shine my shoes!
Okay starting with....
So just burn the lot of them and the problem will disappear.
Way to close to neo-nazi comment there! :(
A friend of mine is very racist. Well, he's bad if someone can't really speak English, or has broken English. He's a bogan.....Is it possible to put bogan Aussies against all other Aussies in this? Did I just sound racist? Is 'bogan' a race?
Hmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm..... :confused: :confused: :confused:
As far as I'm concerned there's too many "ism's" and "ist's" in the world today......the obvious solution, delete all knowledge of these words......then everyone can go hacks and nothing will be "racist" because it won't exist. (What's that? Time for my medicine already? :D )
My conclusion:
I'm not racist......I hate bastard equally! :D
manutd/dogs
27 Jul 2002, 17:31
I believe that the term 'racism' is extremely outdated, especially in reference to it's meaning:
1. The belief that race accounts for differences in human character or ability and that a particular race is superior to others.
2. Discrimination or prejudice based on race.
I believe that Australia, as a nation, is more xenophobic than anything else, with this being due to us having an extremely isolated culture, i.e. an island nation in the middle of the Pacific. We, like the American south, see any interference with our politics, (the U.N. for instance) customs, etc, as 'outsiders' meddling where they don't belong. We still have many older citizens who have had 'racism' drummed into them through wars and years of living under the white Australia policy.
Thus, overall, I think that there are more people in this country who are not racist than than those who are.
Docker_Brat
27 Jul 2002, 19:33
Originally posted by TigerCraig
I think Aussies are "culturalist" rather than "racist".
By that I mean that if a person of Asian appearance, say, opens their mouth and comes out with a broad Aussie accent, talks about the footy and cricket, and buys when its their shout, they will be perfectly accepted. I've seen heaps of examples of that.
A racist is someone who believes that their race is inherently better than another race, regardless of cultural experience, upbringing etc. I don't really see that here. But there is certainly intolerance of people who want to ACT differently.
I think you may have hit the nail on the head.
Briedis
30 Jul 2002, 13:56
Originally posted by Goldenblue
There is racism against the sexes too.
No there's not. It's called sexism! ;)
Briedis
30 Jul 2002, 14:01
Originally posted by BTige
The caste system has nothing to do with race. It's no more than a form of a rigid class system. It's like saying the British class system is racist.
Actually, there is enormous caste prejudice on southern Indians by Northern Indians. Apparently the lighter-skined northern Indians don't like their family being involved with darker-skined people of the south.
Briedis
30 Jul 2002, 14:07
Originally posted by Frodo
Good opinion but not supported.
If I see an aboriginal gang beating up some pensioners and i think 'they are aboribinal' because i recognise their looks and I write here what I saw then I am called a racist.
Now, as a race I don't see aboriginals as being inferior but my comments are interpreted nonetheless as being racist.
The word 'rasism' is now being used as an effective curb on freedom of speech. ie we are being manipulated and the sheep just keep on baaaa.......ing
But it depends on how you report it Frodo.
If you say "I saw a gang beating up a bloke" then it is not racist.
If you say "I saw an Aboriginal gang beating up a bloke" then it is racist because there is no real need to report the gangs race. It is not necessary to point out their race.
If the police then asked you to describe them and you said you thought they were of aboriginal origin then that is just a description and not racist.
But pointing out that they were aboriginal in the first place would be racist.
For example, if it were a causasian gang beating up a bloke would you say "I saw a Causasian gang beating up a bloke?" Would you point out their race then?
Briedis
30 Jul 2002, 14:15
My opinion on the topic is that I think there is a fair degree of racism in Australia, but it is decreasing rapidly with each generation.
Most of us "GenX" Aussies have had the opportunity to grow up and make friends with people from many racial backgrounds. It's a part of our lifestyle.
And I reckon the great thing about this country is the level of integration into society that new cultures are encouraged to do. In the past, new migrants have pretty much stuck to their own cultures, which is understandable as it is what they know and what they grew up with. But as the generations pass the children of these migrants become far more integrated into our society. Australian culture is now very multi-cultural and we benefit from it as people.
It also amazes me how so many different cultures can live here and there a very few, if any, racial riots or problems that you see elsewhere.
We have a lot to be proud of in this country. Yes, we have made some horrible blunders in the past in terms of race relations, but we can not change history and the future looks pretty rosy.