Foxy,

I've been playing with you the way a cat plays with a captured mouse. But I'll stop and state it plainly.

There is racism in Australia. There is racism in every nation on earth. I've spent a large amount of time in China, Russia, Japan and the Philippines and I can tell you that the racism here is miniscule by comparison.

That refugees and other immigrants are clamouring to come here, would show to anyone who looked at it honestly that this a welcoming nation. That immigrants who come here then want their loved-ones to also come here shows that the relatively minor levels of racism here is easily tolerable to the immigrants to the extent that they are happy to recommend it to their family.

There is an entire industry here based on combatting racism. It doesn't matter that is a minor concern (even your original survey showed that) to most, even recent, immigrants. Just like poverty, we'll always find pockets of racism. It'll never be solved and never eradicated. So the careers based on fighting it, are secure. But they do need the gullible to buy the story that racism is a major problem, so rest peacefully Foxy, knowing that you are at least helping those folks to keep their (phoney-baloney.. http://youtu.be/uTmfwklFM-M?t=6) jobs.

josephus,

I have told you multiple times what I believe.
Our Indigenous people are our First Nations people and
they deserve to be recognised and acknowledged as such.
They also deserve a Voice to Parliament and being consulted
on policies and programs that parliament makes that affect
them. I don't think that's a big ask - and I support their
request.

It's your choice as to what you support.

mhaze,

Is that what you've been doing - playing with me?

And how's that been working for you?

Did you impress me or change anything?

As for how well Australia is doing as far as its racism
is concerned? And what a lovely country it is compared
to others like Russia? and other countries?

That Australians are so welcoming?

I can only speak about what I've experienced and seen.

We obviously move in very different circles. And I dare say
probably always will.

mhaze,

You're seriously comparing Australia to Russia and
China?

Hi Foxy,

We have a couple of new friends. An Indian family, lovely people, husband, wife and 8 year old daughter, been here only a few weeks. They have no family in Australia, but did stay a short time with an Indian friend in Brisbane. They arrived with only their suitcases, and it took a couple of weeks before their rented house came available, many folk helped out with furniture for the house, things we take for granted, towels, linen etc. He started his new job, arranged before they arrived in Australia, he is a professional), and daughter has started school. The main problem is learning the basics, everyday thing, of where's the best places to shop, how to use public transport (for work and school), got two phones, bank is fixed up, where's the nigh chemist. Next task is buying a car, when funds permit. There are so many basic things we "natives" take for granted. Other friends have done the area tour with them, that's a bit of a help, but still a steep leaning curve for them. They have the advantage of excellent English, having spent 3 years in Europe.

Wants to do us a "goat curry", but where to buy goat meat, hummm...

p/s I have to introduce them to the wonders of 'Aldi' for shopping, wife has been a bit surprised at the prices of some basics in Woolies and Coles, particularly fresh produce, although chicken is cheap she tell us, but spices what a price in supermarkets, where are your street markets for those things, she asked. hummm I can help with the spices...

Dear Paul,

Thank you for sharing your experiences with us.
It's so good to read something positive for a change
on this forum.

We've also had some very positive experiences in
our new apartment building. We have many Chinese as
neighbours and a young couple has befriended us.
I haven't been too well for a few days - and I got
a surprise last night when the young lass knocked on our
door and brought us an evening meal that she'd prepared.

We were so grateful - and it was delicious. Now it's
my turn for one of my dishes for them. Plus I'll also invite
them for a Sunday roast as well.

In our old home we used to interact with our neighbours all
the time. They became like family oiver the years. And they
were of different backgrounds - from Sri Lankans, Italians,
Egyptians, to Macedonians, Greeks and Chinese. And of course
us. No Anglos. And we all got on beautifully.

Not that I'm saying there's something wrong with Anglos.