I have never denied that racism exists in Australia. I do believe that it also exists in every other country. Racism is born out of fear of people who have different religious values or different skin colour.

When there is competition for jobs or welfare handouts, or we fear our country will be over run by people different to us, there is a tendency for people to use racist words to describe the perceived opponent. I have been described as having a trusting nature because I am prepared to travel alone overseas and because I open my home here to Korean backpackers every harvest season. Okay, I lose a few spoons and once a saucepan, but nothing more than would be pilfered by Australian backpackers.

It was because I saw the Koreans being denigrated unreasonably that I chose to befriend them. Since then the ones I have welcomed into my home have proved excellent and reliable workers.

Not all farm employers are racist. They value any worker for their efficient labour, but initially they may be reluctant to hire a group whose culture they do not understand. During the harvest season I only take Koreans because I have found there will be squabbles, sometimes started by the Koreans if I take Irish, German or French backpackers at the same time.

I observed that these squabbles were territorial, rather than directly racial. This brings me back to my initial point that racial actions are born of fear. By my example I believe I am showing others that they have nothing to fear from one particular racial group. What example are you setting to reduce Australian racism.

'What example are you setting to reduce Australian racism.'

When I perform imitations of darker skinned people than myself, I use quality make-up instead of boot polish, and use quality wigs.

I treat dark skinned racists exactly the same way I treat light skinned racists. As far as my attitude towards others is concerned I tend to judge them by their attitude towards me.
The way I see myself is that I must either be a glutton for punishment or I am not racist because I have lived the past 55% of my live amongst Australian indigous people & if I am not prevented by some dim witted bureaucrats I'll continue to do so.

Dear Country Girl,

Firstly, let me say, "Welcome Back,"
it's been some time since I've seen
you posting on this Forum.

Thanks also for this thread.

How proactive am I to reduce Australian racism?
That's not an easy question to answer. I don't
wake up each morning with the thought that "Today
I'm going to treat everyone equally." Because I
couldn't keep that promise for very long. I know
the first slow driver on the free-way that's
going to drive me nuts will bring out my reaction
of , "Bet they're Chinese!"

We all have our scapegoats and stereotypes.
I'm ashamed to say that I was confronted with mine
at uni - when I was compiling an anthology of
Anti-Nuclear Australian Poetry and I came across
the wonderful poetry of Kevin Gilbert, especially
his, "The Pen is Mightier than the Sword." This
poem came to me as a total surprise. I had expected
from Kevin Gilbert poetry that would reflect the
Aboriginal people, something compassionate, dignified, simple,
and peaceful. The poem was written by a poet, who
"happened," to be an Aboriginal. A poet who wrote in
the most elaborate English turn of phrase - who was
passionate in his concern for humanity. I was
confronted by my own stereotyping.

Anyway, that was a lesson that I learned well and truly.
And from that day on - I made the conscious decision to
try to judge people as I find them to be - not by some
sort of "image," that's presented of them in the media.

I'm not perfect, I don't always succeed - but I'm working
on it!

Damn you Foxy!

I've just spent an hour trying to find Kevin Gilbert's 'The Pen is Mightier than the Sword' on Google without success. Can you provide a link, pleeeeeease. I would very much like to read it right at present, for reasons you may very well appreciate.

Thank you for standing out against the lynch mob on the 'Polanski conundrum' thread. Often the key to an understanding of any matter lies in the asking of the right questions. The question you posed there was one such. I think I may now have the answer to it. Its now very much 'watch this space' on the 'Polanski conundrum' thread.

http://forum.onlineopinion.com.au/thread.asp?discussion=3093#73631

You have helped enormously with respect to the case of another two persons facing extradition without hearing to the US, people who were never fugitives in the first place, although the US process brands them as such from the outset, thereby stripping them of any rights they might otherwise be expected to have had to due process of law. One of the upshots of that is what is coming out on the 'Tall Red Poppy Syndrome?' thread.

http://forum.onlineopinion.com.au/thread.asp?discussion=3128#73766

To answer Country Girl's question, I try to be as inclusive as I possibly can, whenever I can. I was, for example, in my opinion, pro-active here:

http://forum.onlineopinion.com.au/thread.asp?discussion=3053#71605

To try to reduce Australian racism, I tried to let every race get a mention, let every race have a place in the sun. Treat everybody equally, I always say. Sticks and stones may break my bones, but names will never hurt me.

When will you people stop all this navel gazing?

Anyone who reckons that there aren't national, & racial traits is either a dill, or a fool.

When I go to New Caledonia, I find the locals much nicer than the French. Does that make me a racist?

When I go to Asia, I find the Taiwan chinese, much nicer the mainland lot. How am I doing there? That is national to me, but racial to them.

I find the Japanese even nicer, much harder to negitiate business with, but much more trustworthy, after the deal is done. Is that a racist remark?

I always found the people of the outer, smaller islands, & atolls of New Guinea, & the Solomon islands to be more welcoming people than those of the larger islands. These people have enough polynesian ancestry to be a different race. [EG, their hair is straight] Was this a racial trait, or did they just get less visitors, so were more interested?

Was it racist for me to notice?

I wonder what the racial background of Ex senator Bill O'chee is. Damned if I know, but I sure wish he was still in our parliament. I wonder if that makes me racist.

Come on folks, get a life.