December 12, 2005
First France, Now Australia
I was surprised by the lack of coverage in the American media on Sunday and even this morning regarding the race riots in Austrailia [see NYTimes article and BBC news report]. What is unique in this case is that the initial rioting and violence was committed by thousands of White Australians (against people of Arabic and Mediterranean background). In response to the violence, an Australian government official was quoted as saying "It's certainly not the Australian way."
Hm...really? That is, what is the "Australian Way?"
I have never visited Australia, but I have spoken with Asians who have traveled or lived in Australia, as well as with Asian adoptees and adoptive parents who live in Australia, and all have commented on the racial tensions that underlie Australian society. Some have commented that it is much worse in Australia than in the United States because of its close proximity to Asia. This proximity has led to a significant amount of transnational migration, especially after the handover of Hong Kong and the influx of Chinese immigrants, as well as migrant workers from Southeast Asia and the Middle East. In turn, the recent waves of immigration have posed a threat to White Australians (who ironically migrated to Australia and quickly displaced and killed the aboriginals on the island).
Of course, the Bali bombings that killed many Australian tourists only fuel the racial rage. Interestingly, it seems that many of these Australians do not stop to consider their own behaviors as tourists in Bali. When I visited Indonesia last Winter, I heard many warnings to avoid going to Australian tourist spots because they are very drunk and rude to the locals who quietly seethe from behind their shop counters as they still need to solicit business from these very same people.
It seems cultural and racial misunderstandings, fears, and violence are now coming to a head in all corners of the world where Whites have colonized, oppressed, and displaced indigenous people.
Posted by richlee at December 12, 2005 02:42 PM