Unfortunately, the cry, "racist" has become hackneyed and is now used for anything that has to do with immigrants, Australian aborigines and frequently (and incorrectly), issues relating to different cultural or religious groups. Where I live indigenes describe anything that doesn't suit them as being racist (against them), but never call the racially positive programs (for them) racist. There's a lot of contradictions.
When someone asks me if I am a racist or if Australians are racist, I always ask what is their definition of racism. Here's what The MacQuarie Dictionary says:
- "The belief that human races have distinctive characteristics which determine their respective cultures, usually involving the idea that one's own race is superior and has the right to rule or dominate the others.
- Offensive or aggressive behaviour to members of another race stemming from such a belief
- A policy or system of government and society based on race"
Do I believe that my Caucasian race is superior and has the right to rule or dominate others? Definitely not. That each of the races is different is an undeniable fact.
Would I be offensive or aggressive to members of another race? Definitely not. I believe in the worth and right to dignity of every living thing.
Do I believe Australia is a racist country? Yes, with qualification.
Australian has policies and a system of government and society based on race. To make it sweet, governments have passed legislation to say their policies and system of government are NOT racist. That doesn't change the facts that they are, it simply protects them from prosecution. Australia remains a country that is racist.
Now for the people.
I believe with all my heart that most Australians have a similar perspective to mine. What is often misconstrued as racism is actually disagreement with such government policy as the refugee policy; allowing people to immigrate here and then sit around on welfare; whining by religious groups for rights that aren't congruent with Australian society eg, like implementation of Sharia Law, people who want to take from Australia but not contribute, and other peripheral matters. Australians will accept anyone who makes an effort to integrate, doesn't try to change our culture, values etc to suit them, and who contributes. There are millions of immigrants here today who can attest to that.
Endnote: There are five identified races:
- Caucasoid
- Negroid
- Capoid
- Mongolian
- Australoid
Some races have people with different coloured skin or slightly different features. For example, Indians are generally part of the Caucasoid group which also has people with stark white skin.
Are you a racist? What race are you? Want to share your views? Please do.
