Many of you will call me racist, and going by many definitions, I wholeheartedly agree. I believe that you have the right to leave a country if you don't agree with its laws and don't wish to participate in its culture.
In fact I believe the biggest form of racism is lack of assimilation (ref: paraphrase of Barbeluik). As far as I am concerned black, white, yellow, Middle Eastern, Asian, whatever, if you are prepared to love and respect our country and the people in it, then you are welcome here. Sure, there are some cultures/races that I like less than others, but I don't actively go out to cause them trouble. I may boycott Halal products where possible, and businesses that are obviously racist against Australians (ie signs totally in other languages, staff that ignore etc), but NEVER like this...
By now most of you would have heard about the "race riots" in Cronulla over the weekend. What you may not know is that many of the original aggressors are in fact long term residents and even citizens of Australia. What worries me is that (on BOTH sides) how can anyone who was raised (and particularly educated) in this country think that their behaviour (both the original aggressors and the rioters) is acceptable? In KINDERGARTEN you are taught "use friendly hands" - did these people skip Kindy?
How dare anyone attack innocent citizens (ie the people who just happened to be in Cronulla) let alone Ambulance Officers and Lifeguards. Australian, Middle Eastern, in this case I don't care who it was. Show some respect - if not for others, for yourselves and the Ambo's and Lifeguards.
Yes, I am proud to be racist - if you don't want to abide by this country's ethos (let alone laws) - go elsewhere - I do not welcome you or YOUR racism against Australians (whether Australian by birth or naturalisation) here.
Kath
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please define "assimilation". What is Australian? Does one have to abandon one's cultural heritage/traditions/language to be "Australian"??? I am not trying to pick on you, but this is part of the discussion I believe we need to have in Australia. My personal belief is that people should abide by our laws here in Australia, but that cultural heritage is immensely important for an individual's identity and should be respected and maintained (so long as we're not breaking laws - read me right, I am NOT advocating having 4 wives a-la mormons etc). Thank God for immigrants and the improvements they have made to food in Aus in the past 20 years!!!
Assimilation - where a cultural group adopts the culture of the new country. I belive that people who come here should adopt our cultural practices, language etc and still have the right to embrace and even share their culture with us. I do thank God for immigrants, but I am not thankful for people who come here and refuse to adopt our language, culture etc. I can't stand it when they live in a bubble and refuse or refuse to let their kids "Australianise" which is in my opinion to treasure and celebrate the old (as long as it's legal) and embrace the new. :)
I'm glad that your version of "assimilation" doesn't seem to mean "become the same as everyone else so we don't have to deal with your cultural difference". All too often that has what it has meant in the past and that's why i always have such a violent reaction to it.
On the langauge thing, please remember that for some older immigrants they face the problems of torture, post-traumatic stress disorder and other effects of the terible situaitons in their own countries (at least the ones out here where I teach do...). They are often not here out of choice, per se, but because there is nowhere else for them to go anymore. Many refugees want desperately to live in their own countries with their families and friends and find their situation here frightening, unsettling and depressing. Many struggle with illiteracy in their first langauge and low levels of education. Their natural instinct is to huddle together with others of their culture/langauge for a sense of safety, security and comfort. How do we, as "mainstream aussies" (whatever that means - I'm more than half wog) help these people to achieve comfort and sucess in our society????
Heavens No! I grew up with that idea (my parents are in denial as to that is how they brought us up) but I like sharing culture. Good point re language. However my references and frustrations are with people who come to this country voluntarily and don't want to mix in. I expect that when people (and I mean the pre-retirees, ie not "grandma" etc) are here for a few years that they should be making serious attempts at using English in everyday life.
Another point is that you even need to assimilate when you come to another area. I had to adapt to Gloucester's culture when I came here. On a light note, I introduced them to real coffee & nachos, they introduced me to real food (ie not plasticy over-processed crap). The same idea (only bigger) for people emigrating to Australia by choice. K :)
you did the right thing - how could anyone live without REAL coffee??? The very thought sends shivers up my spine...
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