Beach suburbs in Sydney have erupted into racially motivated violence. It was only a matter of time before this became a reality in our big cities as Howard has based his leadership on the politics of exclusion and exploiting the irrational fear of people against outsiders, such as refugees seeking sanctuary in this country.
While Howard calls the events in Sydney over the weekend 'sickening', his government has set the tone for this type of racist response. On the part of ethnic minorities, there is resentment at the racism and exclusion they experience on a daily basis. Policies of anti-terror, mandatory detention and the language of 'us and them' and what is defined as 'Australian' is used constantly by Howard government spokespersons to reinforce long simmering racism in Australian society.
This has been coming for a long time, and Howard has been fuelling it for a long time. He was determined to win back the One Nation component of the national demographic and the values of Hansonism have blossomed since Tampa and 'children overboard'. If our leaders do not show the way to a tolerant, compassionate society then we are in a lot of trouble and what is happening in Sydney is just the beginning.
1 comment:
I am pleased to read your comments.I am concerned that your suggestion that this is the start will ring true.How do we get the message to the masses.
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