By and large, Australians aren’t racist, says Julian Burnside, but we are xenophobic. And for all our rhetoric on “multiculturalism”, our recent treatment of asylum seekers proves it.
Racism
Pilger: The great Australian silence
Australia would never treat a shipload of white people fleeing catastrophe the way we’re treating asylum seekers from Sri Lanka, said John Pilger in his City of Sydney lecture.
Half of all American kids receive food stamps
It seems that food stamps aren’t just for those in the ghetto. A new study shows half of all US kids will receive food stamps at some time in their childhood. Even more disturbing, 90% of black children will use them.
Sheehan: 10 reasons why Australia isn’t racist
After copping flack for a column on refugees, Paul Sheehan lists the top ten arguments for why Australia isn’t a xenophobic nation. Like, Howard let more Muslims in than anyone.
Offensive Halloween costumes: a Crikey round-up
Halloween is around the corner and there are plenty of racist, sexist and grotesque costumes to pick from. While traditional Halloween imagery revolves around death and monstrosity, there’s often also a suspension of ordinary morality.
Just what is a fascist?
It’s an insult slung regularly at just about everyone from all over the political spectrum, but just who and what is really a “fascist”? Is it the synonymous with “Nazi”? Does it assume racism? The BBC goes in search of a definition.
Golly, the Hun should be black, white and red (faced) all over
A Melbourne toy shop has moved some of its products out of its display windows, and the Herald Sun was on hand to fan one of the oldest beat-ups in the book: “innocent children oppressed by PC killjoys”.
Are interracial couples the last political taboo?
Barack Obama broke down racial barriers, but when it comes to interracial families in politics, it’s usually a case of don’t publish the family photos. But the times they are a-changing. It’s not yet post-racial politics, but a politics of racial possibility.
Red Symons: …and then nobody laughed
Red Symons speaks out on the Hey Hey blackface debacle and racism backlash: Americans are offended by blackface. Australians are largely not.
Q&A with Kamahl: why is Hey Hey so unkind?
Crooner Kamahl was used for a cheap laugh during ‘that’ skit on Hey Hey. What did he think of it? Crikey intern Melanie Mahony gets the full story.
Crikey Clarifier: What’s all the fuss about ‘blackface’?
In light of all the scandal following last night’s Hey Hey it’s Saturday, which featured a blackface skit, Crikey intern Melanie Mahony clarifies the history of blackface. Is it racist?
Muslims moan: Why Keysar Trad? Why?
Kayser Trad is the typical Muslim extremist that is dragged out to flog controversial ideas. But why aren’t the voices of socially conservative Muslims who don’t engage in hate speech being heard? asks Shakira Hussein.
Results are black and white on police race bias
If you are young and Indigenous, then authorities are far more likely to arrest you, pursue the case to court, convict you and send you to jail. Non-indigenous youths are more likely to be let off with a warning.
"White Power" T-shirt seller charged
The man exposed in Crikey last week for selling ‘White Power Alice Springs’ T-shirts has been charged with offensive behaviour and making a false statement.
Dowd: Race issues still dragging Obama down
Much of the criticism of President Barack Obama and attempts to delegitimise his presidency has to do with race, writes Maureen Dowd. Senator Joe Wilson yelling “You lie!” during Obama’s healthcare speech is just further proof.
Politics has failed climate change
Crikey readers weigh in on climate change and
‘White power’ t-shirts for sale in Alice Springs
As Alice Springs grapples with the alleged bashing death of an Aboriginal man by five young white men, one man has begun selling “Alice Springs White Power” t-shirts and caps. Outside the Council offices…
How parents (accidentally) make their kids racist
Does pointing out skin colour to children simply enforce racial constructs? Perhaps surprisingly, ignoring racial differences doesn’t help, since even six month old babies can visually identify different ethnicities.
Why would Canada grant refugee status to a white South African?
By granting a white South African refugee status, Canada fails to acknowledge that racial discrimination is outlawed in the South African constitution and that crime affects all colours.
