GAMER wrote:but why don't you consider putting yourself in my, or Cmaza or Wally's position?
*nods*
I agree with what you're saying. I've actually been reading this thread very closely over the past few days, but I've avoided posting, mostly, because IMO, it smells like a flamewar waiting to happen, and I've been involved in enough of those in the past to know that it can never end well, I'll probably make myself look like an ass, and I'm honestly too busy these days to put in the energy required to do so.. <.<
That, and.. whatever; You get what I'm saying. I'll give my argument now, but, it's unlikely I'll post on this thread on a regular basis, as, well, I don't have the energy for a flamewar.
But yeah, I agree with what you're saying.
Santhosh CHRiS wrote:If they aren't racially motivated how come you only hear about Indians being killed or attacked all the time there these days??
Well.. evidence would suggest that it's *not* only Indians you hear about. Infact, there are many people from many various cultures attacked on a regular basis in every country around the world, Australia included. So far as Australia is concerned, rarely, is it racially motivated – Australia *does* have some very seriously issues with anti-social behaviour, most of which spans from a combination of alcohol, substance and drug abuse and a generally increase in, well, anti-social attitudes and behaviour in the population in general, and this leads to attacks, but very rarely is this racial. One of my closest friends, who happens to be white, was stabbed in the eye with a screw-driver a few months back, in a completely random and unprovoked attack, by a drunk person – I'm unaware of what the drunk person's ethnicity was, but that it beside the point. My friend was white, it got into the newspapers and on TV, but his ethnicity was not brought up. However, it is common with foreigners, when attacked in Australia, that when it is reported, their ethnicity is stated and emphasized – this is, unfortunately, the way news organisations tend to behave here.
Something I *will* say. What you must understand about news organisations, is that they are essentially businesses – they are going to report whatever they feel will generate the most money, and bad news, sensationalised news or news which causes conflict or anger, sells better than happy or good news. Stating which ethnicity an attack victim is, so long as not overtly racist in itself (ie, "White" or "Black" person was attacked), usually causes more people to read the article, for whatever reason. And more readers == more money.
It is for this reason, that newspapers tend to care more about issues at home than issues overseas. 9/11 was reported on.. I have no idea how much, but, it was a lot. On the contrary, I clearly recall an earthquake that killed something like 40,000 in Iran that happened within a week or two or 9/11, and though I read it on numerous online newspapers and news site, I didn't ever see it *once* on TV, radio or anything else, so most people in my area probably were unaware of the event. 9/11 happened in America, and Americans care about themselves more than other countries – every country cares about themselves more than any other country. This is not racism.. this is just common sense, and normal. People, generally care about themselves more than other people. This earthquake, likely, was not reported on, because everyone was busy reporting on 9/11, which, with 3,000 victims, was a lot less severe, but happened to a country that Australia has closer relations with, thus, greater news interest, and thus, greater financial return for the news organisations. It isn't fair to everyone, but, it is not racism.
Now. Regarding some of the recent attacks on Indians here. For example, Nitin Garg. I recall reading that he was attacked (I think this was him? It may have been one of the others.. not sure. I don't have the article on hand to confirm, but I think it was him), rather late at night, walking home, through a secluded park that didn't have much visibility? Seriously. I feel sorry for the guy and I do not in any way implore the attack, but you *don't* go walking through dark parks, late at night, in the middle of Melbourne, unless you're willing to take these risks. Most people here *know* these things and do not engage in such activities. I, myself, am a seventh generation white Australian, and I do not do these things. Heck, there's certain days of the week at certain hours of the day that I absolutely refuse to enter certain suburbs, even with friends, even in the main street of the suburb or in the main business districts – there are some places that you don't go and some things that you don't do, regardless of who you are. Recently, my social life has plummeted, because I've opted to avoid some of the areas that I once would regularly visit with friends for social occasions, due to the increased levels of anti-social behaviour in the area – I no longer feel safe in those areas. And, I remind you, that I am white, and that these problems exist irrespective of ethnic background.
Santhose – If you visited Australia and decided to walk through a dark alley, in some deserted street in the middle of the night, in an area renowned for violence, you would be at a high risk of being attacked.
Ignorance is the greatest contributer to racism, and if one understands the situation correctly and acknowledges all the facts, racism becomes very rare. Ignorance is *also* the greatest cause of risks and dangers in Australia – if you're aware of what to do and not to do, you'll usually avoid the not-to-do's, and thus, are at less risk of danger. Many tourists will come and explore the Australian outback, because they hear great stories about it, but do not prepare adequately, and thus, get themselves into numerous troubles – their car breaks down in the middle of nowhere and they become isolated, they run out of water and die from dehydration, they fall off a cliffe and break a leg or break their neck and die, they get eaten by a crocodile and etcetera.. All these things, can be avoided, and a wonderful, safe and pleasant holiday can be had, with adequate preparation, which one will usually do if they are not ignorant of their situation, surroundings and what they plan to do.
Would you run in front of a moving train if you saw it coming, even if it meant you could get home quicker than by walking under the subway a few meters away? No; Because you know that running in front of a train would probably kill you. You know this, because you are not ignorant of the behaviour and nature of moving trains (so I hope). Equally, you shouldn't do things or go to places that have a high risk of resulting in your being attacked.
Anyhow, I think my point has been made, so I'll leave it at that.