Sick of everyone calling Australia racist.
Jan 20th 2010, 8:50 pm
#198
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Re: Sick of everyone calling Australia racist.
Jan 20th 2010, 9:46 pm
#200
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Re: Sick of everyone calling Australia racist.
As a South Africa and having been brought up by British parents and witnessed all the changes in SA, can I please comment:
To me racism means hate, and this is a very strong feeling. Just because someone does not like someone else and because he is another colour, does not indicate racism. In South Africa when the new government came into power, we did not see Blacks and Indians and Coloureds move into the white areas, because they prefer to live within a comfort zone of people they know and understand. This can be seen all over the world. Different race groups tend to live like with like, it is a matter of nature...you don,t see lions living in the same area as cheetas, even though they are both wild cats. All humans have their own way of doing things, and if the problem is ever to be solved, which might be unnatural...don't mean to be pessimistic...then it is a matter of everyone accepting each other as different, and concentrate on making oneself better, rather than trying to make everyone else the same.
I have always felt that human nature tends towards the lowest common denominator, and it is every individual's task to improve themselves first, and allow others to follow. Australia is no more racist than any country where more than one race of humans live, just stand up for yourself and believe in who and what you are, and don't react...ignorance is bliss when it comes to ignoring someone who is trying to be racist towards you.
On the other hand, if you pull the racist card when youget blamed for poor work or doing something that offends other people, then you are just as much to blame for stirring the racism pot..rather take a good look at yourself and assess the situation, and then make an informed decision.
We are all different, we just need to accept that and keep smiling, because we could be living in the UK!!!
To me racism means hate, and this is a very strong feeling. Just because someone does not like someone else and because he is another colour, does not indicate racism. In South Africa when the new government came into power, we did not see Blacks and Indians and Coloureds move into the white areas, because they prefer to live within a comfort zone of people they know and understand. This can be seen all over the world. Different race groups tend to live like with like, it is a matter of nature...you don,t see lions living in the same area as cheetas, even though they are both wild cats. All humans have their own way of doing things, and if the problem is ever to be solved, which might be unnatural...don't mean to be pessimistic...then it is a matter of everyone accepting each other as different, and concentrate on making oneself better, rather than trying to make everyone else the same.
I have always felt that human nature tends towards the lowest common denominator, and it is every individual's task to improve themselves first, and allow others to follow. Australia is no more racist than any country where more than one race of humans live, just stand up for yourself and believe in who and what you are, and don't react...ignorance is bliss when it comes to ignoring someone who is trying to be racist towards you.
On the other hand, if you pull the racist card when youget blamed for poor work or doing something that offends other people, then you are just as much to blame for stirring the racism pot..rather take a good look at yourself and assess the situation, and then make an informed decision.
We are all different, we just need to accept that and keep smiling, because we could be living in the UK!!!
Jan 20th 2010, 9:48 pm
#201
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Re: Sick of everyone calling Australia racist.
But I can't see why I should be asked to reflect on the physical form itself and consider it racist. I look at it and see a black person. To say that is racist is even more demeaning.
Jan 20th 2010, 9:49 pm
#202
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Re: Sick of everyone calling Australia racist.
It's the history of it. It was designed as an insult to blacks. No question of this.
Jan 20th 2010, 9:49 pm
#203
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Jan 20th 2010, 9:49 pm
#204
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Jan 20th 2010, 9:52 pm
#205
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Re: Sick of everyone calling Australia racist.
But where is it a racist term? I had never heard the term until I started reading this thread. What's unacceptable in one country might have a completely different meaning in another.
A golliwog is black. A raggedy ann is ginger. Golliwog has been used as a racist term since the 50's/60's.
Jan 20th 2010, 9:53 pm
#206
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Re: Sick of everyone calling Australia racist.
Jan 20th 2010, 9:55 pm
#207
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Re: Sick of everyone calling Australia racist.
Shame. A barbie doll is a caricature of a rare white woman. Understand your second point. To be honest, if one turned up in a charity shop and my daughter wanted it - I would buy it and be very clear in a sort of rarified manner that I was pleased that she was being inclusive - or some such other nonsense - howsyour father.
Jan 20th 2010, 9:59 pm
#208
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Re: Sick of everyone calling Australia racist.
Shame. Understand your second point. To be honest, if one turned up in a charity shop and my daughter wanted it - I would buy it and be very clear in a sort of rarified manner that I was pleased that she was being inclusive - or some such other nonsense - howsyour father.
The problem is the golly is based on a minstrel. A white person blacked up with the sole intention of making fun of black people. This is where the historical context is important.
I also believe that the presence of these here does not denote racism. Again it is simply ignorance. People need to be aware of what this sort of thing represents though.
Jan 20th 2010, 10:47 pm
#209
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