Words can’t express how ashamed I feel watching the news tonight. Thousands of “Aussie’s” forming a mob – “reclaiming the shire” – oh my goodness. Shouting “Aussie aussie aussie… oi oi oi!!”, chasing and bashing anyone of middle-eastern appearance, attacking ambulances and ambulance officers who are trying to get the injured away.
There’s been some mild disgust… but as Ninglun points out, imagine if tables were turned… Imagine a scene where thousands of australians of middle-eastern appearance gathered together chanting some other exclusive taunt, bashing anyone who looks “aussie” – can you imagine how huge the reaction would be from the public and the media? Maybe it’s time to organise another anti-racism march? I’d certainly love to stand together with other Australians of all origins against this kind of behaviour…
Search Google News for Cronulla for the latest from the media…
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Why be ashamed? Every nationality has idiots amongst them.
You are talking about people from “The Shire”, similar to being from Tasmania except worse.
Yeah, more generalisations will help us learn from this ;-). And it doesn’t help me ’cause I grew up in the Shire.
I’m ashamed because in some way I’m represented by this too…. whether by the colour of my skin/hair or the culture that I identify with… these “Aussies” are representing me – whether I like it or not (Either that or they’re changing the meaning of the word “Aussie” to mean Australian red-neck?)
Nice to see a more balanced view (than that eminating from the media) from FightDemBack (an organisation fighting against racial hatred in Aus and NZ):
Still, given the content of the SMS that encouraged people to come, it still makes me sad…
Hi Michael,
I had tears in my eyes when watching this story on the news – and that’s what it felt like to me, a story – could it really be real??! Sadly yes. I’m not sure I agree with Arthur’s throw away comment about being from ‘the Shire’ too, because I am also from ‘the Shire’! I do acknowledge his attempt at some lightheartedness (if that is what you were seeking Arthur!) :o)
My sadness is the “don’t know what they don’t know” factor – that is, a level of ignorance that means the ‘mobs’ at Cronulla (as your quote highlights) were ‘apolitical’, not knowing that they were to become another stitch in Australia’s history – a stitch I hope we can unpick later …with some learning!
I reckon it’s also about generalising issues so we deal with them as blanket issues, rather than allowing locals to speak out within their communities (like Cronulla). The more we release people from their community-level responsibilities, the more I think we’ll see mobbish acts like this – no one’s seen as accountable!
Hey, cheers also for ‘lurking’ on my blog too :o) I appreciate it! I’ll get up to the Blue Mts one day – promise!! Oh, and Merry Christmas (or -insert celebrated holiday here- )(!)