On Australia Day, January 26th, one of the worlds leading neurosurgeons Dr Charlie Teo will give the honorary speech and he will make the statement that ‘racism is still alive in Australia‘. Maybe it is to a degree Dr Teo – but so it is in all countries around the world. Australia is one of the most tolerant countries towards people of different cultures, which is why so many seek to live there. New citizens from abroad can practise their own faith, build their mosques, temples, shrines and synagogues alongside the Christian churches that are traditional in Australia. Dr Teo is descended from Chinese immigrants himself and has risen to become one of the most respected neurosurgeons in the country – has anyone refused his services because he is of Chinese origin…? I very much doubt it.
Racism exists everywhere; show me an India where light-skinned Indians are not considered better than dark-skinned Indians. Show me a China where Muslims are not persecuted for wanting to practise their faith. Show me parts of the USA where black-skinned Americans, Catholics and Jews are not looked down on by the bible-belt dwelling red-necks of the South. Show me a France where British people are not referred to disdainfully as ‘les rosbifs’. Show me a location in the Caribbean where white tourists are not killed on holiday for a few dollars and a wristwatch. Show me a Muslim-dominated region (there are plenty…) of the UK where white English females are not openly regarded as ‘white trash’ – show me a Lakemba or Hurstville in Sydney where the mindset of the growing middle-eastern population is any different.
Australians have lived with immigration for decades, we are used to migrants, however why is it becoming increasingly common for migrants now to want to change what they find when they arrive, and even demand that locals accommodate those changes…? and why should there not be some resentment about this…? that is not racism, that is simply indignation at ingratitude…and it’s justified. It’s the same everywhere Dr Teo – and in your ancestral China you need look no further for the worst of human rights abuses. Thanks to the opportunities of the country in which your parents chose, wisely, to raise you – and your fellow Australians who in their majority have treated you with respect and humanity – you are a successful, respected and wealthy man. It is easier to criticise what is closest to hand. Please don’t bite the hand that has fed – and continues – to feed you.
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Good observations Wendy. The post-war migrants integrated to differing degrees, the Greeks and Italians more so in the second generation. I don’t see that happening with the new waves of migration from Asia, the Middle East and Africa, at least not to the same degree.
I think we’re going to face a strong push to allow Sharia law, which would be a bad thing, and possibly polygamy, as just two examples.
There have been suggestions that Sharia law is to be considered for implementation here in the UK where there is a very large population of Muslims and migrants from Africa and the middle east. So far it has not happened though and it would be a foolish government that considered it. I went to school in the 70′s with the children of Greek and Italian migrants of the 50′s – it is true that some of the parents and grandparents did not speak fluent English but they integrated, did not demand their own laws about things. Thats the difference with the migrants from the middle east today – they want their own laws and that is taking multi-culturalism to a different and dangerous level. It creates an ‘us’ and ‘them’ aspect to society which I’m afraid is their fault and already exists to a degree. The French model is the best – assimilation rather than multi-culturalism. French law is the only law of the land and it is not up for negotiation. Multi-culturalism is not about tolerance of other cultures, the more sinister aspect of it is the existence of many different cultures and laws in one land – no successful model of this exists anywhere in the world without civil disruption.
Well said Wendy
I certainly like Dr Charlie Teo and he is a typical Aussie like us all and his contribution to the health of Australia is imeasurable.
But, I think the social and moral changes and attitudes developing back home are more than alarming.
Considering you and I have both lived outside Australia for so long and in foreign countries with a foreign language we can only laugh at what certain elements in Australia are endeavouring to force down everyone’s throats: that Australia is a racist and intollerant country.
Why does everyone want to migrate there if it is so terrible?
Absolutely – and how much does one have to tolerate before some intolerance is justified…? probably when somewhere like India becomes predominantly white and churches outnumber temples…
Wendy, I totally agree with your thinking. I believe what most people feel about m/c is resentment & dislike not so much racism because the fact that other cultures (I’m talking about mostly middle eastern) come to our shores to escape from so called tyranny & make a better life but quite the opposite occurs. They want to implement their laws, culture & probably hidden agendas so much so that ours is being eroded away, worst is that our politicians give in just to gain votes causing great divisions. I am a Christian & not afraid to say that my faith is in God alone as man has proved over & over that he is a created being not to be trusted.
Good point Debra. Immigration is nothing new to Australians, what is new is the new wave of immigrants over the past 10-15 years who come from cultures vastly different to ours – non-christian cultures based on inequality of women and medieval laws and attitudes – who oppose Australian culture, laws and way of life. The immigrants of the post-war period from Greece, Italy, Hungary, Yugoslavia all integrated into our society. I am saying those migrants had an easy time of it at the start because they didn’t, but they earned the respect and acceptance of Australians through their desire to work and be ‘one of us’. They did not arrive and then shout for their own laws to be implemented, or wave placards in the streets condemning Australians and their laws, or make threats against the people of their new country. Those who have arrived from the middle east in the last decade are doing that. Why should we not resent that…? my son’s girlfriend was spat at in Auburn last year because she was not wearing a burqa but a denim skirt and t-shirt…imagine, a burqa being mandatory dress on the streets of an Australian suburb? it seems it’s fine for them to demand others fall into line with what they want, but they are not willing to do the same! I would like to know what would happen if a traditional Aboriginal dance group wanted to perform in one of Sydney’s muslim-dominated areas (just as an example) in their traditional dress…bare skin and exposed and painted female breasts…what kind of reception they would get from the ‘locals’? I’ll tell you – a reaction that would be considered racist coming from white people, but termed more politely as ‘culturally offensive’ for muslims. Australians are not racist – just fed up.
Wendy, interesting the story about Auburn 2 fellows whose dads were the chemist and the photographer in Auburn back in the 70s and I know the area well. Only recently I was talking to a close friend and nephew of the photographer and he said you just wouldn’t recognise the place anymore and related things that lined up with your son’s experiences. I also have a good friend who happens to be on the left side of politics and a lesbian and she informed me that the area in which she grew up looks like the Gaza strip and that many traditional residents simply had to move out. I think it was Kingsgrove and also Lakemba.
I lived in an apartment block for 10 years with people from Islamic countries and had no problems but there was no real mixing apart from pleasantries when meeting in the lift etc.
You made a point that even though migrants of the past didn’t have it easy they certainly adopted Australia and look at the results today and the number of former migrants and their off-spring who hold public office in the local, state and federal spheres.
Look at how all migrants are welcomed in Australia when they become citizens on Australia Day. This is unique and no other country in the world can boast the same: see clip and story below.
TCN 9 Current Affair film and scenes from from the ceremony to welcome new Australian citizens in Manly with Jean Hay the Mayor of Manly. A lovely young family originally from HAMBURG also became Aussies in Manly today.
I was born and raised in Manly one of the most beautiful parts of Sydney and attended many an Australia Day ceremony in my childhood.
Also interview with a lovely a family formerly from Iraq. These beautiful citizenship ceremonies of welcome take place in every town and municipality of Australia and are wonderful occasions.
Many nations can take a leaf out of Australia’s book when it comes to giving new citizens a warm welcome.
http://aca.ninemsn.com.au/article/8409304/australia-celebrates
Thanks Martin. My dad was born and bred in Auburn and I remember visiting relatives there and in Fairfield in the 70s’ – I know I would not recognise it today. My son told me they felt very uncomfortable being there, and in Parramatta as well. But then these people are tribal and from tribal cultures and as such ‘mark’ their territories in ways which exclude anyone they deem to be outsiders. That’s not racist that is fact. I have always wondered though why the Aborigines have never claimed these suburbs as sacred land…
In France the process to become a French citizen is an exacting one and they make no exceptions for anyone – if you satisfy the requirements and can pass the written test and interview you take part in a lovely ceremony of citizenship. Foreigners in France have to earn their citizenship.