Racism

[Chibam]

Okay, first off, to limit any confusion, I'm white, 3rd generation Australian. Raised Christian, but I'm not a disciple of any major religion.

I just read this article about what some muslim women are going through here, in light of currant events, and it's pretty sad. The ones who were interviewed seem to be feeling phsyically threatened, or at the very least shunned by the non-muslim community as a whole and for various reasons, I don't believe it's an overreaction on their part.

I wish someone had some good ideas about how to stop the racism. It makes me feel dirty to know that this is such a strong aspect of the community I'm supposed to identify with. But perhaps what disgusts me more is that in some way I can actually relate to it.

I was bought up to be racist. From a very young age I remember sometimes hearing my dad rant things like "All (Ethnic Group A) are grubs!" or "Ah, you bloody (Ethnic Group B) ratbag!" while watching the news. My community was virtually all white Christian, especially my classmates. Throughout my school life, I never actually had significant contact with anyone from ethnic groups "A" or "B" to be able to make up my own mind about these people, so basically my whole experience of these other ethnic groups was through the racist rantings I got bombarded with in the privacy of our home. By the time we learned in school about the Nazi holocaust and how terrible a thing racism is, I think the damage might've already been done. I like to believe I'm not at all racist. I know it's absurd to judge someone based on their race, or the behaviour of a handful of members of their community. But deep down, gut reaction-wise, I get uneasy around people from ethnic groups "A" and "B". I try not to let it show - my problem shouldn't become their problem - I never have anything derogatory to say about them. But I just really wish I didn't have this disease. I wish we, as a country didn't have this disease. I wish it wasn't part of who we are.

It makes me wonder, is this generally how the story goes? Does all this ridiculous hatred come from a bunch of nonsense ranting people heard as kids? Were we so bombarded with cultural horror stories of vampires and werewolves that now whenever we see someone wearing a funny cape or who is especially hairy we believe their coming to suck our blood? It seems so ridiculous that these hollow statements are causing so much pain.

[Neil_1]

Hi Chibam

Thank you for providing your post which was deep and insightful.

My child-hood was "similar" but not fully as to what you described - but I've come across people who hold those beliefs (and from my experience) they are of the older generation.

You wrote it so well when you described racism as a disease - because I feel strongly that it is. 

BUT, the subject of racism, like the subject of depression;  I feel that both topics are heading no-where but in a positive direction.  I mean, if you think back, even 10-20 years ago, and the stigma attached to both, compared with how things are progressing today, I would like to think that both of these are on the improve.

And I think a lot of work is done by parents;  by schools - to have the youngsters better informed than what was happening years and years ago.

The message still needs to be pushed and worked on and I just hope that things continue on a positive path.

Kind regards

Neil

[AGrace]

I think you're right Chibam, racism is a an obvious sign of nurture rather than nature. I think Beyondblue's Stop, Think, Respect campaign hit the mark in terms of re-educating ourselves to be aware of that little voice in the back of our minds that seems to speak a whole heap of judgements. I also think that a lot of change is usually initiated by just one person. On an individual level we need to become more tolerant, particularly hear in Australia where we are enriched by such multiculturalism.

[white knight]

Hi Chibam,  Good topic albeit a sensitive one but?

I deplore racism. However I'm also retired now from largely 40 years in the security industry. Security work is a tough gig. Search someone too well and they complain, search someone too little and you waste your time keeping people safe. And then there is the discrimination of it all. eg

Motorcyclists cannot enter and pay for their fuel at a service centre without removing their helmet. A burqa does not have to be removed?? What is easier to hide a firearm under? But as soon as someone suggests these issues they are pointed at - "racist". Not so.  I have the deepest respect for others religion and beliefs and that includes clothing. But islamic followers claim its a "free country" so they should be able to wear a burqa anywhere.

This latest debate went to the federal parliament. As it now stands after some verbal conflict people can enter the building and watch parliament while at all times wearing a burqa. This is ok. They have that right. But just as a bikie can enter the same building but would be searched thoroughly...so should those wearing a burqa because a burqa could be an ideal cover for a weapon.

And that's my point. A burqa hides identity and facial expressions which in a free world, is relied upon for our free world communication with each other. This is why some feel threatened. In a free world we dont want to feel this feeling.

But feelings are one thing, religion and custom is another. Religion and custom is more important than feelings in my view. I suggest that the burqa stays but extra security is implemented because of the risks of the burqa, and any other large flowing or garment possible of concealing a weapon is addressed with extra security.

I've heard some followers reject this plan as its a "free world". We are guilty of wanting our free world to continue.

[AusHam]

Hi Chibam

Thanks for your understanding and insightful post. My background is Im a first generation Australian born Chinese who grew up in the Sutherland Shire. Growing up, I experienced a lot of direct and indirect racial taunts about my heritage as well as how my parents raised me. For example, in primary school I called "ching chong chinaman", while in high school, I got ridiculed for my "astudious nature" as well as "eccentric" behaviour. I grudgingly always got picked last on each sporting team, because I tended to be less athletic than most of the others. However, thankfully most of these people have grown up and treat me like an equal.

However, I've also experienced discrimination from people within my own cultural group as well. For example, at my previous workplace, my boss did not like my individualistic behaviour because she thought I was too "rebellious" by doing my job differently (I did achieve the same result though). From a chinese church I use to go to, one of the girls who attended there said I should try and "obey my elders", because I wanted to constructively question some of the points I was not sure of.

I live with racism almost every day, whether it is intentional or unintentional. Thankfully we live in a free country though where people no matter what race are treated as equals. Im also thankful that people like you guys exist who want to understand and learn rather than pass judgement or make assumptions. 

Thank you! 

[Chibam]

Some good points, white knight. I wasn't really referring to the burqa debate, more the outright instances of racial abuse against muslims, such as the numerous anti-islamic graffiti incidents I've heard about.

I should note also that my understanding of the article I referred to in my original post was that none of the women interviewed wore a burqa, but many, perhaps all, wore a headscarf (I think their called Ayabas?)

Regarding the burqa debate, I don't think this is by itself racism and I'm sorry that some people misunderstand it as such. The security concerns of the anti-burqa movement are well thought out and clearly not motivated by a racial prejudice. However that's not to say that there aren't incidents where someone with legitimate, fair concerns will say "We should ban or restrict the burqa for security reasons" and others motivated purely by racism see that as an excuse to jump into the conversation with remarks like "Yeah! Why can't you people behave like Australians?"

It's a complicated issue to be sure, and it's no wonder that those on the other side of the matter have trouble telling the legitimate concerns from the outright racism.

[Chris_B]

In light of our Invisible Discriminator campaign being relaunched, I'm bumping this old thread, which was a really valuable discussion. Chibam was talking about how our attitudes towards other groups of people are formed from a very young age, and how even with self-awareness, he can still feel this attitudes persisting. This is a really honest statement and acknowledging where we are at in our attitudes is the first step towards change.

Quite often, we instead see people reacting defensively when they're confronted with the very idea that they might be prejudiced.

AusHam talked about his experiences as an Australian of Chinese descent, and how living with racism everyday has impacted him.

On our forums, we know from our user research that 22% of our users were born overseas and 14% speak a language other than English at home, so we have a very diverse group here. Please share your thoughts.

[blondguy]

Thankyou ChrisB for bumping this thread as its important to stop any racism.

I was born in NSW but lived the bulk of my childhood in Canada. When came back to Australia I was bullied as I had an accent and was ridiculed for not understanding the question "who do I barrack for" It was a meaningless and useless question to ask me when I was 9 years old...even by my teachers.

My elderly mum has been called a wog for years because of her thick Scandinavian accent. When my mum came to school to pick me up the kids used to call her a wog. I still feel the pain I saw on her face.

I have always embraced any race.. Aboriginals, Greeks, Italians when I started school here in 1969 when I was 9.

I have been made to feel like crap since our family came to Melbourne in 1969 and I shouldn't have to feel like crap for being who I am.

The only real issue I have is with 'arranged marriages' I think this is degrading and soul destroying to a young person. I have seen this before and find it a form of abuse through misguided beliefs and excess pride

I have an open mind however and I welcome any criticisms as per my beliefs. I can only learn 🙂

Thanks everyone..just stating the big picture..

My kind thoughts

Paul

[V17]

I've been hesitant to respond to this post. For a number of reasons, I guess. First I came here to the forums because I wanted to make sense of having suicidal thoughts. Now, I'm trying to make sense of so many trauma's that have happened in my life. It's really hard to pin point where it all began or even if one thing triggered the next and so on and so forth. Secondly, I do not think 2500 is going to be enough.

My mother is of aboriginal/english decent she was born on a 'Mission' and my father is english/scott decent. I have not grown up in an environment where fingers where pointed and blame laid. I identify with both yet, I find it really difficult to generally 'fit' in on either side. I'm loved dearly by my parents and they have encouraged me to be 'me'. However, everyday of my life in the public arena, someone will always ask what nationality I am. Always. I'd say I am Noongar. I know my culture and language - infact taught it at the high school. The thing is, when I would say I am Noongar most people would question me saying that I look Greek or Italian - as if I didn't know what my 'make-up' is, right? It's very rare that someone would say, wow - that's so cool or the likes. Racism is something I wake up to most days. Only recently I wrote a letter to the Minister of Transport because of the bullying done to my nephew by the school bus driver. I deliberately left out the racist remarks he made. I don't deal with 'middle men' anymore, nothing gets done and is constantly swept aside.
Then there is the 'other side'. My cousins on my mum's side who are struggling; they don't want to identify with me because they think I have 'turned white' on them. It hurts.
I seem to only last 6 months to a year in most jobs I hold because the black dog rears it's ugly head. Most jobs I have taken have been 'aboriginal created jobs' and I take them for the sole purpose of wanting to help and make a difference. Gradually, I've been honed down and it is gradual over a long period of time. There are times, many times, when I rise to the challenge and convince myself to not be beaten down and a lot of those times I succeed. I don't want to fall prey to the blame game; the hate game - on both sides. I feel sometimes that it's just best to stay in a dead end job where it's quiet and no-one will hurt me but it has proven to be unrealistic. I need to show my son how not to be beaten, but I am feeling really blue today. Overwhelmed by everything.

V.

[Proper_Etiquette]

A very sensitive subject indeed.. especially for me given I used to be one of those people on the 'wrong side of the fence'. I suffered through depression and anxiety as a child/teenager and, as a lot of teenagers do, tried to deal with this through hating the world and rejecting others rather than embracing them. No doubt we've all heard stories of indoctrination of Islamic terrorism etc., I was similarly caught up in a very white supremacist group because they made me feel accepted, didn't care about my problems and gave me something to 'fight for'.

It was only later (after hitting rock bottom) that I realised I had become everything that I hated about the world. I was bullied, so wanted to bully others. Blaming others for the problems I was facing. Inventing reasons to dislike people- it was so easy to judge people by the way they look or act that is different to my norm- just like I had been judged for being different as a kid who couldn't talk properly.

I will post this at the risk of being judged.. it is important to me as I have spend the second half of my life attempting to make up for the person I was when I was young, and I do apologise if it offends anyone. I am so thankful that I could turn my life around and while my problems are still there, I have found life so much more fulfilling spreading love rather than hate. Discrimination, whether it be race, disability, gender, sexuality or anything else is like a cancer that destroys both the victim and the perpetrator. Hopefully in the coming years everyone around the world will realise the stupidity of it and come together as one.