Ok so if you read my blog last semester you would know that I think Australians (in general – let’s not get all defensive and angry with me here) are TERRIBLY racist. Not just against Americans but against all sorts of internationals. If you’re from Europe you get a free “cool” pass but the rest of us have to EARN it. And by EARN I mean meet the few Australians who aren’t racist. >.< there aren’t many things that get me riled up – but this is DEFINITELY one of them!!!
Rally to be held at Sydney Town Hall – June 7th at 12:00pm
Exhibit A – the email I received from SUPRA – a student union at Sydney Uni – announcing a rally to be held protesting the discrimination against international students. http://twitpic.com/6n984
Exhibit B – the flyer attached to the email – http://twitpic.com/6n9ii
Exhibit C – a news story from Melbourne about a racist attack http://bit.ly/cCtkD
I’m pretty sure I could give you exhibits d-z but instead I’ll just say that I know from first hand experience that international students ARE discriminated against.
I’ve been discriminated against for being American
and I know it’s much worse for Indian students.
And speaking of discrimination – the Australians at work are racist too!
I was so happy that I got a “cool kid pass” at work.
Next weekend some workmates are having a “cool kid” night after work and only the “cool kids” were invited. I was pepped up about it because I’m new and that’s pretty sweet that they’re including me. YAY!!
UNTIL I LEARNED WHO WAS BEING EXCLUDED
and then that “yay” went to – you stupid cool kids are mo-fo jack-As. And I don’t want to be a “cool kid” if it means that you are going to sit around and make fun of my not-cool friends. You see I’m friends with ALL the people in the store – I didn’t realize that cool kids exclude and make fun of the not cool ones. GO TO H.E.DOUBLE COOL KIDS!!
One of the guys labeled as not cool enough told me that I’m one of the only people he likes in the store because I’m one of the ONLY PEOPLE WHO TREATS HIM WITH RESPECT AND AS AN EQUAL. He’s Indian and therefore he is a target for all racist jokes and slander. 
THERE IS SOMETHING WRONG WITH THIS!!!
Ok ok – I could rant and rave about this for ages but I won’t. Let me just make this VERY VERY CLEAR.
we are on the same wavelength. I just blogged about discrimination too!
Playing in an australian guild( lol world of warcraft speak) in world of warcraft, I hear so many racist remarks. I was shocked, because I wasn’t aware that it was so commonplace there. Racial slurs against lebanese, aboriginals, indians, AND americans were dropped all the time. The only thing I would say, is to speak up when people speak such terrible things. Let them know how you feel and that it’s wrong. Sometimes, people aren’t even aware that they are being racist. Maybe a word from you will help them to open their eyes.
You know…it’s very interesting that you posted this. I was chit chatting with a coworker about my possible project assignment in Melbourne (starting June 09 for 6 mos) & he said I want you to think very hard about what I’m about to say….I thought oh shit, what’s coming. He was like Australians are extremely racist against Americans, they also don’t have much respect for women, and even less respect for black women in business; so think hard about your answer before you send out the final email because you will have to work about 5 times harder to gain the respect that you deserve even though you would be in a position of authority.
I have until the end of this week to get them an answer, I did a little research and now that I’ve read this…I think my mind is made up! I’d love to go to Australia, but I think I’ll continue to support projects throughout the US and Europe.
Well luckily I’m Canadian and that pretty much get’s me a free pass into the “Cool Kids” club by Aussie standards.
But I don’t even know how many times people have apologised profusely for thinking (and treating me) as an American which bugs me because it means they would treat me differently based on my nationality. Annoying.
And yes, the racism here is phenomenal. More than I ever thought possible. And it inherently bugs me that SMART, EDUCATED, people still believe these stereotypes even though they claim they’re “only joking, I never mean anything by it”. By the fact they’re even making these comments shows their racial biases. While Canada is pretty caucasian and then asian, there is no where near the amount of intolerance as I find here.
Once upon a time we were regarded as one of the most multicultrual countries in the world. We reached out to and accepted everyone.
Something changed, and it’s hard to be proud of this country anymore.
I’ve seen so many people join groups on Facebook like “F off we’re full” and things like that, and I have questioned a few of them about why they joined and they can’t back it up with any decent arguments. One of them, in the end just said “Okay so maybe I’m racist, but only in my living room where I don’t hurt anyone”
I think most prejuideces come from either personal insecurities or gross misinformation, and with the internet connection people we should more more informed than ever before, but people post their hatred and their misinformed views on the web and others read it and it grows.
I’ve always loved the old lyric (which I’ll end this rant with)..
“People are people so why should it be
You and I shouldn’t get along?”
Actually, that whole song is great.
I didn’t experience any personal discrimination firsthand for being American when I studied in Melbourne, but they (and here by “they” I mean the Australians whith whom I interacted) WERE very anti-Bush therefore anti-America. I hope that these feelings have changed since the new administration (as they have so many other places in the world). I did notice blatant catagorizing of people based on their race, though. Interestingly, they were MUCH more tolerant of GLBTQ then Americans are on a whole.
As a proud Aussie currently living in the USA, it’s always disappointing & sad to read about any kind violent attacks happening in Australia.
I’ve been following the Indian student situation, and also following India’s media account of this. Personally however, I am not convinced that these attacks were necessarily aimed at International students of Indian decent…and it’s being blown out of proportion.
As ScoMan highlighted…Australia’s immigration history is one which is very multicultural (similar in many ways to the USA)..one of great cultural diversity. It’s hard though to make a judgement on who is actually carrying out the attacks…’white Australia,’ or a perhaps one of Australia’s many cultural minority groups…and also if discrimination/racism is the reason for the attacks.
I certainly don’t deny Aussies can be racist or discriminatory…and I’m ‘not getting all defensive or angry’ at your post ;) … however I do believe it’s unfortunately still the case in many countries. I’ve lived in the USA for five years and believe me…racism/discrimination is certainly TERRIBLY strong within your homeland too. I’m currently living in Texas… attitudes to Mexican, Indians, African Americans etc. was an eye opener to our family.
I am pleased to say our Australian family has never has encountered racism from ‘Americans’ for being Aussies…however our children have experienced a form of ‘counter-racism’ from some African-American students at their school…for being ‘white’.
You’re absolutely correct though…racism & discrimination is not cool. Cheers! :)
Why is it like that? I mean, why are they racist against Americans?