Dear Antonios,

Australian legislation relating to racial discrimination covers many aspects of racist behaviour but not all forms of racism.

While legislation guarantees racism unlawful in several contexts, legislation cannot address the underlying social issues.

Hopefully education together with stronger effective legislation will provide the best hope for developing a society free from racism.

Racism is destructive. It disempowers people by devaluing their identity. It destroys community cohesion and creates divisions in society. It is the opposite of the democratic principle of equality and the right of a people to be treated fairly.

I'm so sorry for your bad experiences. I know that with time things will improve. In the meantime don't lose heart. There are many like
you who have had bad experiences but have managed to move on - and find that although there are bad people, there are also good people -
and its the good people that are the future for your children and grandchildren. A future that will see them become a part of this
country. You'll see!

Racism is Australia? What a silly question.

Of course Australia is NOT racist, it’s pure as the driven snow, loving of all peoples, especially Aborigines and embraces everyone of different ethnic and religious beliefs.

Above all - white Australians love other white Australians the most.

There is nothing racist in that!

I think the type of racism we have in Australia is not the typical type we see in many other countries.

I think ours is more based on that one thing that makes us unique in the world - not "mateship", but the "tall poppy syndrome".

Deep down we simply hate seeing others get something that we can't have, even if it's welfare.

The basis for a lot of dislike seems to come from the notion that immigrants (and aborigines) get some sort of free handouts that the rest of us aren't entitled to.

Who hasn't at some time heard the stories of "free cars" and "free housing" and "fast-tracked welfare" for certain people while the rest of us have to work hard to support them?

Even many of those who make it good and are successful are treated with some degree of suspicion, unless they only make the average grade. Too little success or too much success stops them from being "one of us".

For example, the European and Asian cooperative family structures (plus damned hard work) allowed many immigrants to own their own houses long before their native-born neighbours, which helped perpetuate some myths of race-based criminality.

I see little difference between the hatred toward certain racial groups and our own home-grown "dole bludgers" or welfare cheats - it's just that some stand out more easily in a crowd.

Then again we also have people targetting religious groups and bashing gays but that's more a matter of individual personal defects than a widespread social one.

“Vanilla”?
“Vanilla”?
Nooo…I can’t recall having a shoot out with anyone called Vanilla–ever!
[He checks the notches on his Colt 1873 Peacemaker sidearm – finds a notch for a slain foe called ‘Botheration’]
Unless!... you’re the re-incarnation of Botheration?

1) If a govt wants to address disadvantage ( though, Noel Pearson might have some better suggestions) it does not need to grade people according to race. Simple alternative: have an across the board MEANS TEST. Disadvantage can be found in all shades of the rainbow.
2) Racism probably can be defined in a number of ways. When a govt seeks to apportion ‘rights’ and benefits on the basis of race – that is blatant racism (whatever the supposed motives) & ultimately it leads to more problems than it solves.
3) You say you have not seen any one branded a racist for challenging my four examples–stick around ( speak of the devil:one of the prime offenders just posted above- it will probably be raining insults soon)

Unfortunately, many of our most ‘educated’ think racism comes only in shades of white.

GOLLY GOSH... see what happens when I'm not around to pastor the likes of CJ? He neglects his medicationm drifts off into his little 'anti Boaz' closet and says things like"

<<Some, like redneck and Boazy, are perversely proud of our racist heritage.>>

I didn't recognize myself there CJ but... if you say so :)

You should realize old son...that when you froth at the mouth in your delerium...like that.. saying things which are patently untrue...the next time you call me a 'liar' :) people might just remember your dribble here..

I take no pride in the 'racist' aspects of our history, but I do accept it as a reality that we all, though the simple fact of being born here, have inherited.

I grieve terribly at the reports of what was done to Aboriginals at Healsville...where they were tossed from pillar to post to accomodate the white 'privilege and ambition'.... those responsible were utter scumbags. If I had my way, I'd compulsorily acquire all houses on the creeks around melbourne and offer them at special rates to Aboriginal families.. because that's where their connection is strongest to the 'land'....

The worst form of racism in contemporary Australia is that held by the Greens and Left.. who attack their own, and campaign for specific minority racial and religoius privilege, while at the same time OPPOSING the plugging of the PORN leak from the ACT in the name of "Adults should be able to read and view what they like"...no, the lowest of the low and scummiest of the scummy, are some in the Greens and Leftoids camp who will not for love or money admit that they realllllly do like the sleazier side of life while trying to maintain a 'high moral ground'...HAH! what a joke.

"The only way to change is for all of us to finally realize that racial prejudice is a corrosive influence attacking the most fundamental values of Australian society - our commitment to justice, egalitarianism and a "Fair Go" for all." - Foxy

Well said! A key would is "all". My wife and I have several friends in interrational marriages who, tell us that it is often the non-Anglo parents whom most often object to the relationship, especially leading up to the marriage, but not always ending there.

There are two parties though. Herein, people from overseas need to leave their baggage and feuds at the Aussie border.