Is racism widespread in Australia?

19 Jan 2012
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(File: AAP)

(File: AAP)

Australia still hasn't thrown off the scourge of racism, according to top neurosurgeon Dr Charles Teo, who will give his Australia Day speech in Sydney next week.

The son of Chinese immigrants says he experienced it himself growing up and says his daughter is still being victimised. What do you think? Have you been a victim of racism or witnessed racist behaviour in Australia? What can be done to stamp out racism?

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gobsmack

ryan fitzroy - from sydeny, 3 months ago

my partner and i went woolies last week i went in to get some stuff and my partner sat down on the seats outside. she began talking to the lady next to her and she asked how far along are she replied 8 months i also have 5 more and planing on more. yeah we love kids and cant wait to have some of our own my partner replied. well we are only having so many so we can bred you aussie scum out! my partner is Anglo and the lady was Muslim.

why not ?

Carlo - from Fairfield, 3 months ago

It certainly is wide spread everywhere else.

All foreign races have and always had a ' Title 'in Aussie slang. ' Title '

Trent - from Blue Mts, NSW, 3 months ago

The problem is that these foreign people cannot accept being called what they are ! This racism lark is all very one sided,..... they obviously are at liberty to call us whatever they please, but if the " Complement " is returned, it straight away becomes racist on our part.!!! It's all a load of crap. In my opinion, If they can't take it then they should leave.

Racism in Australia is only 20% what USA has

John the Greek - from Sydney, 3 months ago

Although Australia has deep seated morbid racism, but is nothing like USA. Where racism is open,deep and rampant in Whites. I realized this when i met American Visitors/ Workers in Australia

Youth

Charlie - from Sydney, 3 months ago

As a year 11 student, I have to comment that our schools (or at least my one) is doing a rather good job at discouraging racism. I do believe that this new generation of Australians is a lot more tolerant and accepting of differences. More importantly, I feel that we are being exposed to a wider range of opinions and are able to form a less biased view on issues.

What to do about it?

Clavdivs - from Sydney, 4 months ago

An idea would be to amend the constitution to incorporate a bill of rights. Only when citizens have the power under the constitution to demand remedies for acts that infringe their civil rights will racism begin to lose its grip. What brought segregation in buses to an end in the USA? The USA constitution : We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights...

racism is everywhere

Raskul - from Wollongong, 4 months ago

There is nothing wrong with being proud of your racial / ethnic/ national group and your heritage. The danger lies in thinking that your membership of a particular racial/ ethnic/ national group makes you superior to people of other groups - that is racism. Racism can be found in all countries, some more so than others. My guess is that Australia probably lies at the lower end of the racism spectrum. However, to deny that Australia does not possess racists is a denial of reality.

@Isobell

Tess - from Canada, 4 months ago

In the context of my comment, most would be able to comprehend that I am talking about third world countries compared to nations like Canada, US etc. in terms of human rights/social awareness. Even if I were saying that first-world nations are superior to underdeveloped third-world nations, that would be elitism and not racism. You apparently are also confusing the concept of race with that of a country (Canada is not a race). My quote about Somalia was meant to be an analogy, not an observation

Confusion ?

Paul Mcgwirk - from Narbathon Vic, 4 months ago

......h'mmmm ' I think raceism is being confused with OWNERSHIP 'migrants do'nt own Australia thats for sure, 'the Japs got close to it in WW11 if not for the blood n' courage of Australians.... Ango/Saxon' kind . Where were all of you 'newcomers then? I know where my dad & moms brother were & still are. So thank ya' lucky stars the hard work has been done & shut up!

Dear Tess

Isobell - from NSW, 4 months ago

The belief that one’s race is superior to another is racist, and your statement that Canada among others is not in the same league as the third world just shows that we can all be rascist Tess. As for the people dying of starvation and malnutrtion in Somalia this is a much more worthy fight for you to take up. They really do need your help. I found your last post quite callous.

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