Hi Foxy

FOR SECURITY PURPOSES RACIAL STEREOTYPING HAS SOME VALIDITY.

Re race based "WHITE Terrorism Threat Increasing" https://forum.onlineopinion.com.au/thread.asp?discussion=9500 General Discussion starter.

It is an evitable reality that one's religion is rolled into racial stereotyping.

So. In the AUSTRALIAN context:

1. Christians are mostly UK-European origin WHITE

2. Jews mostly UK-European origin WHITE

3. Muslims are mostly Middle Eastern, South Asian and Southeast Asian origin BROWN
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BUT these easy equations have minority exceptions.

1. Significant CHRISTIAN minorities in Aus are Black African, Lebanese Christian and a minority of BROWN Latin American Catholics.

2. There are BLACK African Jews here but very few.

3. A minority of Muslims in Aus are WHITE converts. It is perhaps difficult for Canberra Security (eg. ASIO, AFP, ASD) to monitor newer ones including unidentified immigrants.

- Blond haired-blue eyed WHITE Caucasian Muslims eg. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peoples_of_the_Caucasus#Turkic

The 2013 Boston Bombers, who killed/maimed many, were from the tiny US WHITE Caucasian (from Caucasus region astride Europe/Asia) minority Muslim grouping.

But they caused grave damage. See http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Boston_Marathon_bombing#Backgrounds
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YET, COLOUR CODING TERRORISM, HOWEVER NON-POLITICALLY CORRECT, STILL HAS ITS USES.

We need to define what we mean by racism. Because within the same race there are feelings of rejection or preference by those of the same race. We all have preferences with who we associate and if it is merely on the basis of skin colour - it is shallow. We have to rule out anything that is based in personal preferences, like we do not accept the company of those that do not speak our language, hold our values, food preferences or hygiene.

Racism has to be identified as rejected or preferred because of an identified race, all other discrimination is on preferences.

Dear Pete,

We often put labels on people. I personally believe
that labels belong on jars. However we stereotype
people from different backgrounds as it is, so I'm not
too keen on colour-coding them. We should take people
as we find them. There are extremists within all
groups.

Also, if we get to know people from various groups
we just might realize how much we have in common.

Dear Josephus,

I've stated previously that it is normal to want
to spend time with people that have the same
interests, background, culture, and language.
It creates a sense of belonging.

The downside is that it can also set up differences
between other groups and this might lead to us
thinking that our group is better than others.

In my earlier comment I said the whole idea of racism depends on who you're asking, and it can get quite crazy.

I even made a fair argument that it's not racist to call an Aussie an Aussie.
- So why should it be racist to call a Chinese people Chinese?

I thought that for this comment I might change it a little.
How about the label 'anti-semite'.
I've frequently been called such anytime I criticise Israel.
The thing is, at the end of all my arguments, no-one can beat me on a basis of merit.
Even David Singer skulks away when he knows he can't win the argument on a basis of merit.

So why should I be labelled some kind of derogatory meaning term when all I ever do is tell the truth, and make my arguments on a basis of merit.

Others claim I'm commiting an offense against them or discriminating against them in some way, but if all I do is lay out facts and tell the truth, then is their continued use of the word 'Anti-Semite', as well as the badgering and attempts to belittle my opinions not the real offense or discrimination?

The most racist thing occurring in Australia is a certain group demanding special inclusion in the institution, simply because they found the place before the Poms.

The second most racist thing is the same group demanding & receiving special rights & privileges.

That is fine with me, but then I'm a racist. After my experiences in the Pacific islands I don't like the French.

Dear AC,

There does seem to be a growing trend for some
people to equate criticism of the Israeli state
policies with antiSemitism.

While challenging antiSemitism is vital this trend
to label criticism of Israel's policies as
AntiSemitism is an attempt to silence critics of
Israel rather than halting antiSemitism. Israel
should be subject to the sem critiques as other
nations.

Conflating anti Zionism with Jew hatred is a
tragic mistake which "chills political expression
and support for Palestinian rights."

As for telling people the truth? We often blame
people for our problems. People who are different are
an easy target. "Those people take our jobs."
"They're lazy." "brainy." "aggro." "They get government
handouts." We've all heard these. Newarly all the time
these statements are wrong.

Dear Hasbeen,

We all have our biases. Some stronger than others.
And it's difficult to make judgements unless you've
experienced things yourself. Your dislike of the French
is based on what you've experienced and it sounds
quite normal. Many Lithuanians suffered under the
Soviet Regime, but does that mean they should dislike
Russians? I hope not.