redneck, are you really a redneck? You come across like parody of what the left thinks those of us on the right are all about.

Do you really think most aussies give a hoot about the colour of someones skin? Plenty might not like the public face of some cultural groups but I don't know many who care about skin colour. How many of us boo when one of the dark skinned fellows in the footy team we support scores a try? How many of us were upset when Kathy Freeman beat white girls in races?

Not many angels around here but there is a real desire to get past some of the terminology which seems to stop us making progress on some of these issues. When the left slings the term racist around to describe those who are not they shut down debate which might help us solve the underlying problem. When you say that asian's are racist so that makes it OK we get nowhere. I'm one of those who does not like racism regardless of who is doing it. I don't have a role in debate on the issue in Malaysia but I do here.

Why would I care if our neighbours think we are racist? Maybe I'm culturalist enough to think that we have something good going in this country (I know we've got some problems too). We have a justice system which has made some big stuff ups but one where being charged does not mean being convicted. We try hard to put aside our tribal preferences and give people a chance (not always successfully). We have national heroes both men and women and pretty much any skin tone you can think about. Maybe if we let our neighbours see that working the kids growing up over there might adopt some of the good bits from us. Never know we might leave a friendlier neighbourhood for the kids.

R0bert

Chek, what do you think of Windschuttle's recent books like "The White Australia Policy" and "The Fabrication of Aboriginal History"?

If you haven't read them, I reckon you'd find them very interesting and illuminating.

Yes Robert, I am a fair dinkum, gun owning, four wheel drive with dirty great bulbar driving, dog owning, low intellect, white European redneck.

On the subject of whether Aussies worry about the colour of someone’s skin, I would have to say “yes”. The most significant factors for intergroup hostility within any country is the degree of difference between the two cultures, and the population proportions of the two (or more) groups. Like it or not, skin colour just happens to be the most reliable indictor of cultural difference.

I agree that the finger waggers try to stifle debate by claiming that their opponents are dim witted racists whenever the subject of race is mentioned. I do not agree that I am guilty of these sorts of tactics myself. I am simply pointing out to those on the high moral ground, who appear to think (or claim) that only white people are racist, that racism is universal, timeless and part of the human condition.

You may not like “racism”, but then you probably do not like “Lust”, “Envy”, “Pride”, “Greed”, “Sloth”, “Anger” or “Covetousness” either. But I think that you would admit that you may have been guilty of all of these sins, at one time or another, to one degree or another. Elevating “racism” to a moral absolute will make you an easy target. Think about it. Being morally self righteous is a persona that is not attractive to anybody, and adopting such a pose means that you can never sin yourself without being accused of hypocrisy.

You may think that we have “something good” going in this country, but I do not. This country was once protected by the White Australia Policy, which was a policy I wholeheartedly agreed with, with a few reservations. This country was much better place because of it, and for the last thirty odd years I have watched my country go down the toilet because it was repealed.

I'm as blond haired & blued eyed as a caucasian can be - my heroes? Kathy Freeman, Nelson Mandela, Nicky Winmar (Saints supporter) - I'd better not get started this list could be an infinite one of all hues. I agree with R0bert - colour really doesn't matter.

Perceived threat does.

Redneck I feel sorry for you - divisive policies such as the white Australia policy increases racism.

The more mixed our culture the more we are likely to become familiar with a diverse range of people - and familiarity does not breed contempt - apartheid does.

Do only white roses smell so sweet? (most humble apologies to W.S.)

Redneck, you really Aussie? You sound like you'd be much better suited to Alabama or somewhere like that. Your thinking is certainly not native to these here parts.

And by the way, if you read Keith Windschuttle's "The White Australia Policy" you may be rather disabused of your notions regarding it. Very few of the politicians and population when that policy was enacted thought like you. Barely any Australians have ever thought like you. Like I said, you might be better suited to somewhere like Alabama, where your heart really seems to be.

Hi Trinity, welcome to the discussion.

Let’s look at your premise, “Colour does not matter, perceived threat does.”

Racism is not only a product of normal group loyalty, it is also product of normal inter group hostility. No matter what Aquarian world that any Idealist wishes was reality, no Idealist has ever found a way to stop birds of a feather flocking together, and the flock getting hostile towards any other bird of a feather invading their territory.

The capacity for any homogenous society to be tolerant towards out groups can be a product of their own social conditioning. Some groups openly preach tolerance as a part of their cultural conditioning while other group preach the exact opposite. But even the most tolerant group will very quickly become intolerant when confronted by an out group which they perceive is hostile. This condition is greatly exacerbated when the difference in the cultural values of the two groups is profound and their values are mutually exclusive. It is further exacerbated if the numbers of the out group is growing much faster than that of the primary group, either through immigration or birth rate differentials. Sooner or later critical mass is reached and the two groups become openly hostile to one another. The peaceful land that they both inhabit is torn apart as the two groups begin to polarise into separate territories. The result is always an upsurge in crime, civil strife, calls for separatism and even civil war.

I hold these truths to be self evident. They are as immutable as the law of gravity. No amount of self righteous posturing will make a fig of difference to the eventual outcome.

As for “Familiarity does not bred contempt, apartheid does.” Every country on this planet has a border and an armed force to protect it’s citizens territory from being over run by other people of different cultures. The desire to live amongst people who you consider are your own kith and kin, and with whom you feel safe, is a cultural universal.