“Jewely - we do have a culture. It's one of general tolerance and a fair go for all. I spent 2 years in NZ and saw plenty of racial tension - predominantly between those identifying as Maori and the Pacific Islanders - Tongan, Samoan, Fijian. For a time I lived close to the Auckland suburb of Otara (Once Were Warriors territory) often visiting the Markets there for cheap fruit and vege. Witnessed big blue between group of Maori and Samoan which involved machetes, bloodshed and panic amongst those getting out of the way. Things have changed. Now my NZ friends inform me everyone hates the "Arabs" - the predominately Islamic middle eastern immigrants.”

Hi Devine, Yep.. in Ch-Ch they don’t like Asians. In Wellington you will find a much better approach to different groups from overseas. Deep South – too cold for anyone too complain to much about anyone else.

The not liking Arabs: I would put money on it coming from Hollywood movies than any personal interaction with them.

In Otara, Papatoetoe etc – best to keep the Maoris fighting with the fobs, keeps them off everyone else’s backs.

“backsAustralians have generally welcomed genuine newcomers - those that want to make a new start, work hard and take advantage of all that this peaceful, prosperous Nation can offer. When immigrants make the effort to fit in, they generally do and they will do well for themselves.”

Genuine newcomers. Pfft. Like me? I do my community thing with foster kids and raise little Aussies, hubby pays stupid amounts in taxes. We bought a house and our kids went through school and now work. We look like Aussies although the accent is a bit dodgy. Kiwi’s “fit” better than anyone.

Sorry Devine but where I am I have been abused by white Aussies for being from somewhere else so they don’t even like the “genuine” ones.

Have you noticed in the news here – they always name a nationality but don’t say anything if it’s an Aussie that did something wrong. Freaky stuff. "A Kiwi and two others..."

Dear examinator,

When I said it's "human nature," to be prejudiced
at no time did I mention that it precluded the will
or the ability to change. Change is a constant,
and it goes without saying that we adapt,
learn and grow. As a matter of fact I did
mention how things had changed since the days of the
"White Australia Policy." How Australia has evolved,
and continues to evolve, and will continue to do so.

Dear Col,

I suppose we do confuse multi-racial and multi-cultural.

I should have made things a bit clearer I guess.

However the point that I was trying to make and I
believe I did state that Australia today is a
society of tremenduous diversity. In some schools,
90 per cent of the students speak a language other
than English as their first language.

The seventies saw tremenduous changes in attitudes
towards migrants. Ethnic radio (radio programmes
broadcasting in many foreign languages), bi-lingual
education, and a new respect for individuality have
made migrants feels more like Australians and less
like outsiders.

cont'd

I think it's interesting to take a look at our
language - which reflects our view of the world,
it's always changing, and shows how we've changed.

New words are being added all the time as discoveries
are made in medicine, science and technology. Words
for things no longer in use are dropped from our
everyday language. For example, words like 'unisex,'
reflect our changed attitudes to men and women. This
word would have been meaningless in past years when
men and women were expected to dress and act differently.

Many 'old fashioned,' words show us very clearly how
people viewed one another.

Females were expected to behave in ways very different
from men. While 'loose morals,' were frowned on by
society in general, there was a tendency to 'look the
other way,' where men were concerned. A man's behaviour
had to be bad for him to be branded, a
'rake,' or 'libertine.' Women whose behaviour was
considered too 'permissive,' were called, 'wenches,'
'hussies,' or 'tarts,' and 'trollops.' Nowadays, we
don't make such a harsh distinction between the sexes,
and so while these words may still be used, the 'sting,'
has been taken out of them.

Europeans who travelled to Australia were often convinced
that the Christian way of life was the only right way, and
therefore many were prejudiced against people of other
religions. Their descriptions of non-Christians as 'heathens,'
'pagans,' and 'non-believers' show us that they considered
people of other faiths to be inferior. In reality, these
people were not non-believers - they were 'believers' of
other faiths and disciplines. These terms today are mostly
used as an exaggerated joke - to make fun of the old ideas.

There are many terms which reflect the feelings of superiority
of some people of one race over people of other races.
For example, 'boong,' referring to Australian Aborigines,
'dago,' referring to Italians, 'wog,' referring to migrants
living in Australia, 'savages,' or 'barbarians,' referring to
natives of non-European lands.

These 'outmoded' words are no longer acceptable to most people.

Foxy,
>>“Prejudices will exist no matter where you
live. It's human nature. “ (does/is it?) Did I misinterpret?
I certainly didn't mean it the way you took it sorry ( where is Romany's word smithing clarity when I need it).

I was pointing out that it appeared that your that the reasoning supporting your comment were a little superficial not deep enough to identify the real cause. My experience with other cultures is that prejudices are culturally and experientially dependent. I've seen cultures that accept other cultures and those that have been taught to fear novelty (like animals that have never experienced humanity)

I would suggest that 'Fear' is universal and is in human nature but the details/ targets are learned.
i.e. When a child I used to run across moss covered logs as bridges over deep gullies thinking nothing of it.. climb 50/70 ft high trees to get a feed of Garlep nuts. Now I'm too s#*t scared....I've learned to be frightened of those situations.
I've seen children handle deadly spiders, scorpions snakes with confidence/respect but without fear.

Prejudices are based on fear...fear of change of the unknown the possibility of the consequences to being isolated without the security of the group. (socialisation)
The same reasoning applies to what we fear. Cultures are and inculcate the list of fears in extreme cases these fears turn into phobias and Xenophobia is just one there of.

I made the point change adapt the culture and you change the list of fears

Col nationalistic pride etc. is another learned mind set/ potential prejudice. One that is superficial/emotionally based. A bit like allegiance to a football team.

Fractelle
There is some interesting articles on this and in relationship to those who have been isolated due to mental illnesses and subsequent responses to socialisation. quite different to expectations.

Max
The above applies but in your case subsequent posts clarify your stance. Sorry if I got it wrong.

"Prejudices are based on fear...fear of change of the unknown the possibility of the consequences to being isolated without the security of the group. (socialisation) The same reasoning applies to what we fear. Cultures are and inculcate the list of fears in extreme cases these fears turn into phobias and Xenophobia is just one there of."

How come it is only when people are feeling very brave, like in a group, that the prejudices come out? Or is it that they don’t want to separate from the group so they spread their phobias that they may not individually believe in or didn’t till they joined the pack.

So are white Aussies scared? Is that why they are so racist? (Okay the ones I personally have met )

It’s who we hang with aye, or we wouldn’t know. In Saudi I got the whole vibe about all western women are tarts. I was there long enough to believe it, didn’t matter that I was one.

“i.e. When a child I used to run across moss covered logs as bridges over deep gullies thinking nothing of it.. climb 50/70 ft high trees to get a feed of Garlep nuts. Now I'm too s#*t scared....I've learned to be frightened of those situations.”

You were a crazy kid Examination. Must say, kids don’t have a lot of body protecting fears, they need us grown ups to be afeard for them. I have had Arab kids, Samoans, Maoris, Aboriginal, Russian, and lily white Aussies – you’re right none of them were scared of me.

That fear of “others”, the X word, must come quite a lot later. But even little ones have a built in culture, way of doing things, what and who they respect is obvious. Nup I can’t even describe it without going all OUG on you with the combination of words to get across a lack in the English language.

Foxy, get me citizenship and I wont feel like an outsider!

Sol Trujillo was born in the USA.People in the USA are more politically correct that us.We cut to the chase and call a spade a shovel.In the USA if there is crime area made up of maily black people they mention it by innuendo rather than saying what they really think.

Our culture has the habit of being being honest and saying what we think.If this makes us backward and in the eyes of Sol racist,I would prefer to remain backward.

Adios amigo,Sol.I'm sure the millions you took from Telstra will more than compensate for your ineptitude and your wounded pride.