Dear examinator,

I've always thought that the disputes among
racial and ethnic groups were not really about
racial or ethnic differences; they were about
the use of such differences to create and
preserve inequality in the competition for
scarce resources. So, wherever different
groups compete for the same resources -
blacks and whites for power and wealth in South
Africa, settlers and indigenous tribes for the
possession of the Brazilian hinterland, Israelis
and Palestinians for the same piece of territory -
intergroup hostility is the result, particularly
if the groups remain unequal and one of them is
able to exploit or victimize the other.

In fact hostilities may subside if the sub-ordinate
group is able to gain greater equality with the
dominant group. The strong hostilities that
originally existed in Australia against the Italians,
Poles, Germans, Balts, Greeks, and so on has gradually
lessened as these groups have gained entry to the broad
Australian middle class, where they are seen as equals
rather than as rivals.

The ideology of racism is the belief that one racial
or ethnic group is inferior to another and that
unequal treatment is therefore justified.

Of course - fear does play a part as well. Those who
were racially or ethnically akin to the dominant
group (white, Anglo-Saxon, Protestant) were accepted
fairly readily. Such as the Scandinavians, the Balts,
and Germans.
Those who were different - such as the Lebanese,
Turks, and so on - faced much more prejudice and
discrimination.

Dear Jewely,

I thought you were a citizen.
I'll have a few words with the PM!

examinator,

“As a matter of fact My last para was not a specific attack on anyone particular least of all you”, you say in response to my post.

I’m sorry my friend, but it was addressed ( I didn’t see it as an attack) to me IN PARTICULAR. You put my name on it! It’s no big deal, but have another look: you said, “Leigh
Me thinks you protesteth too much.”

Had you not addressed the remark to me, I would not have responded. Are you sure that you know what you are posting?

If you are sceptical about ‘nationalism’, your interpretation of the word must be different from mine. I’m somewhat alarmed, though, that you are not patriotic. Being patriotic doesn’t mean the same as ‘jingoistic’, which is a problem that many of the people of countries who might one day be threat to us go in for. Nor does it mean hairy-chested aggression and the ‘my country right or wrong’ muck.

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

"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."

Aah - Jewely methinks your words from the latter post sum up why Kiwi friends and in-laws (yes I married one & he's managed to fit in very sucessfully despite never-ending sheep jokes thank-you) say 'everyone hates the arabs'. I get the impression that 'native' Kiwis (whatever their racial background) think that many Middle Eastern newcomers expect extraordinary respect and tolerance for their beliefs and 'culture' while expressing contempt for the lifestyle and beliefs of many of their host countrymen.

I sense a comparision with attitudes of certain similar groups here in Australia ...mmmmm?

I have encountered some of these migrants through work in public health. Most were very nice people but those (males) that weren't were pig-ignorant, arrogant %$#*& of the very highest order. Nobody in the middle ... The only satisfaction one had from any encounter was they had to tone down the behaviour or we would have them removed. Some of the attitudes towards women and children are extremely disturbing. "I kill my daughter if she go out in the street in those clothes ..." referring to a teenage bystander in a short skirt and tank-top and this SOB is serious. We don't need that 'culture' here thank-you.

It all comes down to what I've said earlier - come here with the right attitude, leave your crap behind, practice your traditions that are acceptable to the Australian way of life and be prepared to drop those that aren't ...

So what's keeping you from getting citizenship Jewely? You'd be the first Kiwi I know having trouble bar those with some sort of 'black mark' eg criminal conviction, visa transgressions from other Commonwealth nations or AFP security concerns ..... or have things changed drastically in the past 2 -3 years ??

Jewely
Crazy child what make you think I've changed *that* much?
In truth I did no more than the native children , my play mates. Their parents used the same logs for the same purpose, well walking anyway. Instead of the don't do that etc. they taught us how to do the right way. The Garlep nut gathering was standard fare... My point is it's the culture you're raised with that helps breeds fears/ prejudices.
Years ago I remember seeing a southern white 4 yo being interviewed on TV she proudly said ''I hate n#gg*rs “ But when asked what one was and why the child returned a blank look …..Taught prejudices.

You are right that mobs tend to exist even comprising of otherwise sensible people who after the even are appalled at what they've done. There are several famous experiments that emphasise group thinking and what people will do rather than be seen as a dissenter to the mass justifying as they went . Germans aren't some evil alien being yet they permitted horrors beyond modern sensibilities. One of the key issues was the cynical manipulation of patriotism and self interest.

Foxy
On one level you are absolutely correct however if you drill down a bit more for some commonality you find 'fear' is the real cause. I remember as a child the fear of waiting for corporal punishment was far worse than the actual punishment.

When I was a medium wheel in business I was afraid of losing everything and identified myself by my position. I discovered that the sun still shone and I could still enjoy life without all the trappings most of which I didn't really need . Likewise I was now a person not a state General Manager( a temporary activity/title). True it came with painful adjustments but now I'm involve in the real world and I'm not ducking and weaving to avoid the spectral slings and arrows of corporate adversity.

Consider the difference between want and need. Israel/ Palestine conflict. The national pride etc. at play.

Hi Divine,

I personally think everyone is interesting but I am lucky that I was in the part of Saudi that is really strict so I learnt more and that they really really liked Kiwis. Something about during the war the Kiwis ran the stores so if you were Arab and you wanted anything it was known “go ask the Kiwis”. Arabs and respect, there just aren’t many in NZ so not thought about until some movie comes on.

Don’t know with Aussie, still haven’t figured it out (sorry Banjo) but I keep asking Australians and they don’t know either.

Yeah the sheep jokes, weird huh. Much better jokes are made up about every other culture here and of course it doesn’t affect the Kiwi females. Overseas everyone thinks Kiwi’s are part Australian anyway and no point in explaining differently really.

Oh the kill my daughter thing, gawd they’re cute. Amazing that they do it too. I met far too many white women who had married Arabs and were abused and trapped after breeding. I was useful on the compound, wives would call and I’d go talk the Arab hubbys down. Bit exhausting really. Got back to NZ and was still doing it with Samoans and boy are they harder to distract.

“Right attitude”… see Maoris have similar feelings. Personally you can come anyway you want and we’ll work around it – like fostering kids I guess. Accepting where they have come from then taking it from where they’re at because it works better.

I knew I was weird. People die cause of boarders and they can’t migrate, I don’t like it.

Citizenship. I stare at the centrelink site and don’t get it. I filled in the papers, paid money went to interview and nup didn’t have “recidency”. Two and half hour drive to Sydney with three little Aussie kids just to be turned around, can’t work it out. No refund either. I got here April 2006.

“Years ago I remember seeing a southern white 4 yo being interviewed on TV she proudly said ''I hate n#gg*rs “ But when asked what one was and why the child returned a blank look …..Taught prejudices.”

Haha… hey got a couple of white male toddlers not too long ago, they used to run around going ”bang bang kill the N’s”. There was another little toddler here who happened to be one, they all just played.

One place I lived in NZ a little two year old would pop in and his greeting was “F U white B!tch”. Bless him, he always got a biscuit. The first story, they stopped just by me doing nothing, they forgot. The other one, he’ll be about 14 now and probably still greeting white women the same way.

“... Germans aren't some evil alien being yet they permitted horrors beyond modern sensibilities. One of the key issues was the cynical manipulation of patriotism and self interest.”

Do you think Patriotism or Religion has bonded people to do more wrong over time? Patriotism seems to have one figure head as the key?

I think what has kind of been decided is maybe Aussie is such a mix that there is no easy answer right now? It has to age and blend a bit more for the peoples to go in a common direction? There is probably some responsibility on white Aussies to get in there amongst it and let the new “groups” know who you are. And if I get citizenship anytime soon I can do my bit better!