Racism, sexism and exploitation are all loaded words which must be placed in their context to have meaning. It is considered racism or ethnocentrism to oppose the mores of another society. Most of us including myself in this society oppose female genital mutilation. However, it is an accepted practice in other societies. To oppose it is to put our cultural values upon another society. In that respect I believe our cultural values are superior. We generally believe that practice is exploitation of and demeaning to women. However, seen from the view of that society it is in the natural order of things, and our opposition can be seen by them as racism.

We can cite other examples where the meanings of racism, sexism and exploitation differ according to those who define the terms. Rather than attempt such a grandiose goal as ridding our society of racism, sexism and exploitation where definitions differ it would be more fruitful to set up more easily defined goals such as limiting the arms trade and curbing population growth. Others would disagree in setting those goals as a priority and have other choices. However, I think the elimination of racism, sexism and exploitation, especially the last term, is an an unreasonable goal because of the difficulty in getting definitions we can all agree on.

Foxy wrote:

"It is up to us whether we want to belong to a society where no-one is disadvantaged or isolated from the community."

If one disagrees with the values of a community it is right to isolate oneself from the community to the degree that one finds possible. People may differ on the definition of being disadvantaged. My income is sufficient for me, but many people with the same income and different tastes would feel disadvantaged.

The society Foxy advocates has an implicit compulsion and might demand an unreasonable uniformity of values. I do not want to belong to such a society.

Hi Foxy,

It is up to us. We have to decide whether we are part of the problem, or part of the solution. Sitting on the fence, or simply discussing issues, isn't enough, is it? So again, we have a choice to make.

Sancho,
'Fundamentalism hinges on the belief that the faithful are the Big Good, and they oppose the Big Evil. Without a clearly identifiable nemesis, the fundamentalist lacks a moral landmark.

Islam and Christianity have slotted into a cosy, mutually beneficial relationship of opposition which allows them to fulfil their divine obligations through hatred and violence, rather than the considerably more difficult exercise of tolerance and accommodation.'

You continue to comfort yourself with misinformation or untruths. I think you have substituted the word Christianity in place of human secularism. You are obviously blinded to the death culture that secularism has produced as opposed to the dignity and respect of life Christ's teachings have brought. At least try and be honest with your slander.

Dear David f,

The point I was trying to make was - the best way to help disadvantaged people is by giving them the capacities they need to gain control of their own destinies. That means education and re-training, relevant work experience, and integration into suitable employment, together with adequate housing and access to transport.

Getting people into meaningful work also restores them to full social inclusion, and ensures their children are incorporated fully into society as well. In this way we replace intergenerational poverty with intergenerational inclusion.

Social inclusion is not just about employment, of course. Many other groups for whom paid employment is not an option are currently isolated from mainstream Australian life, including the disabled and the elderly. It is up to us to have a desire to build a better society, because we genuinely want to help others, particularly those in need. It is up to us to want a society where no-one is disadvantaged, especially people who are vulnerable.

But as you pointed out - the choice is ours to make.

"Therefore, the majority of the population remains unaware of who they really are, and how they live. I say "the majority", because it is possible to fight this process. Now to do so, we must somehow re-manufacture ourselves. And if we don't, we will continue to do the bidding of a racist, sexist, and exploitative system that just doesn't care."

Oh what truth you speak my friend the OP

as you say we must reinvent ourselves but you did not say that involves pain by way of those who want you to STAY in the fold and the pain of giving up that warm & cuddly feeling of just going with the mob

but hey, it IS worth it

this issue is simply the old chestnut, currently called political correctness

Dylan described it in 2 classics

1/ God on our side to describe the EASY path of just go along with the govt/masses eg the war in Iraq or be a good Catholic or whatever

2/ Mr Tamborine Man described the joys of THINKING, a commodity that has become far rarer in our time

and Hitler described as

It is a great fortune for governments the people do not think

so all of you back to Big Brother, yo all hear

seems to me people will do ANYTHING these days [by way of availing themselves of some form of "entertainment"] to AVOID the dreaded thought of having to think for themselves

but hey, as I said [same as OP] once you throw your "thinking sub contractors" overboard [be they Howard, the church or whoever] a great weight lifts from your shoulders