Miranda Devine: Reverse racism is now acceptable in Australia

[greenguzzi]

Maybe where you live...

OK, tell me more.

 

[greenguzzi]

But now the minorities have become the majority.

No, they haven't.

 

[Ana the Ist]

"White" and all other racial descriptions are racial construct in Australia, and where ever they are used. But in Australia the "whites" are the dominant "race", so it's not racism. It's selfish people getting scared because their unearned privileged position is being challenged.

"White" and all other racial descriptions are racial construct in Australia, and where ever they are used. But in Australia the "whites" are the dominant "race", so it's not racism. It's selfish people getting scared because their unearned privileged position is being challenged.

Here's a link to the definition of racism, since you don't seem to understand it...

the definition of racism

From that link, here's the contextually appropriate definition...

3. hatred or intolerance of another race or other races.

If you need any further explanation, just ask.

 

[Ana the Ist]

That's an excellent point, one that I sometimes forget. Thanks for that.

No thanks necessary...always glad to help.

It reminds me of the story of Paul Revere Williams, a successful African American who had to kowtow to snotty white brats who thought they were better then him. Affirmative action has the power to correct more than just economic injustice.

Well in the context of affirmative action here in the U.S....it's specifically about employment and educational opportunities. I can't speak for Australia.

I stand corrected "less fortunate" can apply to more than just wealth, I'll pay this one because you made an excellent point that I missed.

I suppose it can...did you have something in mind?

But unfortunately you are still wrong on the Affirmative Action being racism point. No it isn't. But I forgive you because of the excellent point you made.

Well, it's a kind of racism that's more specifically known as racial discrimination (that is, basing decisions on race instead of relevant factors like aptitude)....but I think racial discrimination fairly fits under the curtain of racism, so to argue otherwise is a bit of semantic nonsense.

 

[greenguzzi]

Here's a link to the definition of racism, since you don't seem to understand it...

the definition of racism

From that link, here's the contextually appropriate definition...

3. hatred or intolerance of another race or other races.

If you need any further explanation, just ask.

It's interesting that you chose the third definition, and not the first.

Yes, of course there are many unhelpful definitions of stuff that you and I chat about. Wealthy people like us can have all sorts of fun with words.

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[Ana the Ist]

@Ana the Ist
I'd like to tell you a little of my story, I hope you don't mind.

I love stories.

I was born in a London slum, as poor as a church mouse. Our rented house had virtually no plumbing; we had to go to a local bath house to wash ourselves. But we had one asset, we were white. Because of our skin colour my parents and I were able to get out of poverty.

No kidding? All it takes to get out of poverty in London is to be white?

I am what the Australians call a "Ten Pound Pom". ("Pound" being the currency, not the weight.)
I am forever grateful for my accident of birth, but I want others to have the same benefit regardless of their skin colour. I personally benefited from the white Australia Policy.

I can't say I've ever heard of the "white Australia Policy"...is this the policy which gets you out of poverty because you're white? What exactly does the policy entail? Is there some government office which hands out cash or jobs if you show up (and you're white, of course).

The least I can do to acknowledge this benefit is to admit that it was racist, and to therefore combat racism where ever I see it.

It certainly sounds like a racist policy...but it's hard to say without any specific information on it. Do you have a link to this policy perhaps?

If you are as wealthy as I am, then it's because you are were given the opportunity to be so.

That's simplifying things a bit, isn't it? I mean...you can give someone 100 opportunities but if they don't make the most of those opportunities, they'll get nowhere.

Ever heard the phrase..."You can lead a horse to water..."? Do you remember how the rest of it goes?

You might think that it's because you worked hard, and were smart. But you would never had got off the starting blocks if your skin colour wasn't quite right. Except for the legends like Paul Revere Williams, but we can't all be supermen.

I can't say I've ever heard of Paul Revere Williams...but I'll be sure to look him up when I get the chance. Here's the problem that I see with your somewhat simplified way of looking at things...

Here in the U.S., we have blacks and other minorities in literally every social strata of society. From skilled trades like mechanics, to CEOs of enormous companies. We have black lawyers, doctors, entertainers, computer programmers, senators, congressmen,...and for the last 8 years, even a president.

Now, according to you, these blacks would've never gotten anywhere in life if they started off poor (because only white people can go from poor to successful in your mind)....but the fact of the matter is, many of them started off poor. Many of them come from downright dangerous circumstances.

So my question to you is....how did they succeed? Do you think they've only succeeded because some benevolent wealthy white person came along and lifted them out of their poverty? Or, dare I say, that they worked hard and took advantage of the opportunities they had?

 

[greenguzzi]

Hey @Ana the Ist,
Some people are disadvantaged, others are not. How about we do all we can to help those who are disadvantaged? That might mean that some of those who are not disadvantaged miss out for a while, be we are OK with that because we know that our time will come. We know this because we see justice being worked out.

 

[Ana the Ist]

It's interesting that you chose the third definition, and not the first.

Well the first one mentions feelings of superiority...which don't seem to be applicable in the situation in the OP.

Yes, of course there are many unhelpful definitions of stuff that you and I chat about. Wealthy people like us can have all sorts of fun with words.

Is that how you think words are defined? By wealthy people?

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[Ana the Ist]

Hey @Ana the Ist,
Some people are disadvantaged, others are not. How about we do all we can to help those who are disadvantaged?

Actually, if you look into it...everyone has advantages and disadvantages...everyone. I think that perhaps you'd understand the big picture better if you weren't so focused on race.

That might mean that some of those who are not disadvantaged miss out for a while, be we are OK with that because we know that our time will come. We know this because we see justice being worked out.

Who are these people walking around life without any disadvantages?

 

[greenguzzi]

No kidding? All it takes to get out of poverty in London is to be white?

Yes, that is true. It happened to me. I'm happy to give you my whole story if you wish.

I can't say I've ever heard of the "white Australia Policy"...is this the policy which gets you out of poverty because you're white? What exactly does the policy entail? Is there some government office which hands out cash or jobs if you show up (and you're white, of course).

Yes, that is correct:
White Australia policy - Wikipedia

So my question to you is....how did they succeed?

We succeeded because the government gave us money because we were white.

 

[greenguzzi]

Is that how you think words are defined? By wealthy people?

Yes, I do.

 

[Ana the Ist]

Yes, that is true. It happened to me. I'm happy to give you my whole story if you wish.

Sure.

Yes, that is correct:
White Australia policy - Wikipedia

The page you linked to talks about a group of immigration policies that have been dismantled over time since WW2. It also says...In 1975 they passed a racial discrimination act which removes race from any criteria.

We succeeded because the government gave us money because we were white.

Well we don't do that in the U.S.

 

[Ana the Ist]

Yes, I do.

Well they aren't.

 

[greenguzzi]

Well they aren't.

No? Maybe just like people like then.

 

[Ana the Ist]

No? Maybe just like people like then.

Here's some help...

Help | Merriam-Webster

 

[greenguzzi]

In 1975 they passed a racial discrimination act which removes race from any criteria.

I arrived in 1974. So I benefited from their racial laws. Thank you, that was exactly the point I was trying to make.

 

[Armoured]

Miranda Divine has a history of... questionable... reporting. I think I'd like to hear the other side of the story before leaping on the indignation bandwagon.

 

[Ana the Ist]

I arrived in 1974. So I benefited from their racial laws. Thank you, that was exactly the point I was trying to make.

And what exactly was the benefit?

And if you personally feel like you owe something...then donate to whomever you think you owe...but don't be surprised if anyone under 42 years old disagrees.

 

[greenguzzi]

Who are these people walking around life without any disadvantages?

Well, me for a start. I'm white and British, and I have an Anglo face and a boring name, and a cool accent. I can get a job pretty much anywhere without prejudice. Not so much my brown-skinned equal.

 

[Ana the Ist]

Coward.

Well I've at least responded to all your questions. I noticed that you've ignored mine...

How come? Some inconvenient truths that you'd like to avoid?