A previously influential American thinks Australia is a backwards place..
 

Discuss...

http://www.news.com.au/couriermail/s...003402,00.html

Re: A previously influential American thinks Australia is a backwards place..
 

It's unusual for an American to be so perspicacious.

Re: A previously influential American thinks Australia is a backwards place..
 

Lawrence Fishbourne said something similar after shooting the Matrix series over here I believe

Re: A previously influential American thinks Australia is a backwards place..
 

Just discussing this with the wife.

It's a tricky situation. One man's opinion over another.

Clearly there has been a spat between him and the government. That is what he is really talking about. He got, and took a very high paid job, and now's he left. Obviously Rudd doesn't like him.

Infact, depending on who you talk to, Australia is both racist and multi-cultural.
And it is the same with the US. There will be US WASPs who would not give him the time of day.

It will never die.

Re: A previously influential American thinks Australia is a backwards place..
 

You could say the same about many parts of the USA.

He was happy to take the big bucks when they were on offer, and I'm sure he lived a very priviledged lifestyle when he was here.

Sounds like sour grapes to me.

Re: A previously influential American thinks Australia is a backwards place..
 

Strange thing for him to say. Its not as if he would be the type of chap (given the position he was in) who would be down the rsl or in the TAB so I wonder where he experienced it. Maybe somebody made a swine flu joke to him?

Re: A previously influential American thinks Australia is a backwards place..
 

I think you're right. From our experience. Perth doesn't seem racist at all. But I think that many Australians do need to realise - as I've said many times on BE - that just because they perceive something as not being racist - Pom, Wog, amigo - that it doesn't mean that the recipient of that term is not offended.

The arrogance - "that's what we call Paki's, accept it or leave" - doesn't do them any favours.

Re: A previously influential American thinks Australia is a backwards place..
 

Yep, it could be construed as backwards. In some ways, I find thats a refreshing change from the over-complicated and pressured lifestyle in the UK. In other ways it drives me insane - the banking system springs to mind. It's all relative I guess.

As for Australia being racist - yep, I can see that, however I'd argue that for the majority it stems from basic ignorance as opposed to anything more sinister. I'm still uncomfortable with all this 'wog' and 'paki' business and I hope that I never become comfortable with it.

Re: A previously influential American thinks Australia is a backwards place..
 

I've been here 8 years and still have never uttered those words. I couldn't, pretty simple!

Re: A previously influential American thinks Australia is a backwards place..
 

couldnt agree more

Re: A previously influential American thinks Australia is a backwards place..
 

As for backward, even the ABC uses baby talk. Boatie, firie, schoolie, toolie, horsie, doggie...

Re: A previously influential American thinks Australia is a backwards place..
 

And don't start me on his stats.........

Australia slammed as racist and backward
 

From the ex CEO of Telstra who has left the country.

http://www.news.com.au/couriermail/s...18-952,00.html

Fair comments from Sol, I think.

Re: Australia slammed as racist and backward
 

I don't know the whole background to this, but he does sound like he has an axe to grind.

However I'm interested in people's views on racism generally. We're (white) British but have an adopted Asian son. I read a discussion on racism on another UK board. People said Aussies were racist but when probed it sounded more like "joshing", calling Brits whinging poms etc.

So if there IS racism (and I have to say I've never noticed it) what form does it take?

Re: A previously influential American thinks Australia is a backwards place..
 

"pakis" is often used with benign intent. The same way many would say "kiwi" for NZer. I've even seen "pakis" used in the media in articles about the pakistan cricket team. Similar to saying "brit" etc. Totally different to "wog" ....

It's just used differently by many here. Although .. with UK influence it may take on a nastier meaning.