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Racism in Australia?

Is there racism in Australia? Is it really as bad as the media is portraying? Or is it worse than that?

There is a possibility that this topic can stir up quite a heated discussion.
As long as this helps prospective students or immigrants to Australia, I am
quite happy to take any amount of criticism on my opinion on this topic.

First of all, a brief discussion about myself so that the reader can get the
grips of my past in Australia.

I am 29 years young, a Mechanical Engineer by profession and have been in Australia for
the last 7 years. I am still an India
by heart and passport. I first landed in Brisbane
to pursue my Masters. After a year at Uni, I have been working as an Engineer
for the last 6 years. I have spent time in Brisbane, Melbourne and Sydney long enough
to understand their differences in cultures and social behaviours.

To answer the question in discussion in one word, YES! There is racism in Australia. Do
you know a place where there isn't? I certainly don’t know of any such place. I
am happy to be corrected on this opinion.

I would rather call it favouritism. Let me explain. Favouritism is any form of behaviour in which an individual prefers treating another, differently to everybody else for reasons such as being
genetically related, of the same caste or religion, of the same geographic
relation, of the same skin colour, of the same race, speak the same language,
of the same gender and so on.

Now there are acceptable levels of favouritism such as a female wanting to discuss something privately to another female is very common whereas for instance in any workplace, a female manager
favouring a female candidate for a promotion over a male, is sexual
discrimination.

Having fun with people of same skin colour is socialising whereas making fun of a different skin colour by a group of people of the same skin colour is racism.

Now coming to what happens in Australia is definitely favouritism and this happens every where else. Let us look into our own mother land. There is severely more discrimination in India
than in Australia.
I don’t need to elaborate on that and that is certainly not the topic of
discussion. Is there anyone who will disagree with me? Please let me know if
that is the case and we can discuss about it.

Now as much as I like the support this racism hullabaloo is getting us Indians in Australia by the media and the Government of India, I do despise the wrath Australia
is being forced to bear as a result. In this case, I will call Australians “tolerant”
than racist.

Now think about it, have you observed the way a group of Indians behave in public here? Have you noticed what the usual behaviour of people here is? When any Indian is alone out here, they are quite
and discreet. But wait, when their phone rings, suddenly it is as if there is
no body else around us. The loudness in which one speaks on the phone has no
respect or consideration for others around. It is so embarrassing when this
happens in a public transport compartment.

Now put a group of Indians together and suddenly the quite and discreet person that we are when alone has a transformation. There is roar in our talk and laughter, the stare in the eyes
is so offensive. We look at everything as if it is ours and not to mention the
staring of women is so thwarting.

We Indians have an unusual knack for attracting trouble. We work in gas stations and 7 Elevens, work night shift jobs usually restocking or cleaning. We are on the road very often in the middle of
the night talking loudly as usual on our mobile phone. No wonder why we get
mugged. We use the public phones to call India with a phone card. Now, when
we are on the phone, it has to be for hours before we hang up. If someone is
waiting, who cares?

Recently an Indian student was mugged in Brisbane at around 10PM, his wallet and mobile phone stolen when he was on a public phone. The news made it all over the news channels. How can you even think it is racism?

I can go for long about all these but what is the point? I am not trying to support Australia or Australians either. Like everybody else, Australians have their share of flaws. All I want to say is
before we complain about how racist Australia is, I think we need to
ask ourselves the question, “How adaptable are we?”

If we migrate to Australia or to any other country for that matter, I think it is our and only our responsibility to blend in by learning the culture there. Learn the ways people behave in public, learn the
ways people respect each other and follow it.

We come here as migrants and enforce our rude disrespectful behaviour on people around us and behave conspicuously differently. We flag ourselves as targets and then complain that we have become targets.

The last thing I would like to highlight is this; “In India how do we react to migrant people from other states in our city who behave as I
have just discussed above?”

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Permalink Reply by Sangeetha Ramu on February 16, 2011 at 4:13am

I recently joined OZ network and was thinking to comment on Racism and bumped upon this discussion.

A Useful Topic for constructive debate.

To avoid being discriminated:

1. Indians need to imbibe any foreign land's culture . Be a Roman in Rome saying goes all the way. That does not mean a person who does not drink should drink alcohol. Embrace the positive culture of Australians.

They are honest and tell you the facts

They are open minded and they mind their own business

They are helpful

They love Indian food and like talking about cricket.They always like other culture..they are patient enough to listen to a slow speaking immigrant.

They speak at a fairly low decibel and consider very much of others in public places.

and we can do on so on. Majority of them are good and there are always exceptions to these as more than 50 percent Aussies had been immigrants once and now they identify themselves as Australian Citizens.Their behavior pattern is very different depending upon where they migrated from.

What Indians should consider so as to avoid to get attracted by mob. I agree with Anil's points.

My suggestions are mostly for new students because they behave what Indians typically behave..nothing wrong in it because every country has its uniqueness, just that it is wise enough to avoid certain stereotyped Indian behavior.

1. When you are in a group, don't speak aloud enough to hurt others ears, and if you are drunk and partying as a group, do not bother others and not harass any onlookers. Guys! especially do not stare at Gals in an awkward way however skimpily dressed they are. I am sorry t say this but this has been the major issue most of us here have seen.Kisiko bhi Ghoor Ghoor ke dekho math if you like someone sport a decent smile.:).

2. When alone on phone, speak at a medium decibel, have headphones tto listen to songs. PUBLIC NUISANCE is not appreciated in Australia. You may be considered as rude by fellow passengers or even they will stereotype Indians as ALOUD.

3.When doing odd jobs at odd hours, take a taxi back to your home when there is no safe public transport. Spending 20 to 30 aud is nothing when compared to dangers of loosing life .Taxis are fairly safe. But still always be cautious.

4. Never Break the rules : Be it traffic, or work right limitation rules ( this tip for Students).

5. IMPORTANT: DON'T WEAR LOT OF JEWELERY especially in the night. A ring or two would do. We Indians like wearign gold chains,4-5 rings and a bracelet. Gals, best advice for you is to Wear artificial ones if you are travelling alone in the night.

6. Avoid making India calls via Public booth late night.You are inviting danger.There are many affordable landline options and share the bills with your friends if you are a student. Or if it is urgent use your mobile for short term calls even though it is dearer.

You may be lucky enough to stay in Indian dominated neighborhood and I have had friends/neighbors helping me during

the unavoidable untime calls.

6.Always dress professionally ( if in a job) and neatly ( please avoid Gaudy colors- they are a great distraction to the eyes and attraction in the night)

and for just arrived immigrants :

7. Don't Starve trying to save money converting DOLLARS into Rupees. if you fall sick then you might spend 100 times of the money that you could have spent on food.Earning is in Dollars and so do spending is in Dollars.You can avoid the unnecessary expenses- smoke, alcohol, luxuries.

Eat healthy and behave wisely.

cheers,

sangeetha