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flexibeastThe recent race riots in Sydney's south are a sad demonstration of the racism that lurks beneath Australia's promotional veneer of "a fair go for all". Of course, Prime Minister John Howard and 'Opposition' Leader Kim Beazley have denied the existence of a racist component to the riots1; and although the New South Wales premier, Morris Iemma, has at least admitted that much, he also claimed that "Australians aren't racist" - a rather large claim, imho.
So what has been the New South Wales government's response to the riots? Why, to recall State parliament to pass legislation giving police further powers. The new powers will:
The riots are, to me, a stark reminder of how legislation banning racist speech acts fails to address the underlying issue. i know i've said it many times before, but at times like this it's worth repeating:
You can't legislate social change! You can't force a change in people's beliefs and attitudes via the law.
Governments can, however, fund education programs to counter the simplistic - and, if i may use the phrase, 'black and white' - view of the world propagated by the mass media. As can community groups such as trade unions (who should definitely be funding campaigns, unless they're no longer promoting the concept of worker solidarity . . . . ). And the general community can organise and participate in broad community campaigns against racism, involving events such as this Sunday's planned peaceful rally in Sydney against racism. Isn't it time that we started actually convincing people that racism is a bad thing, instead of just ordering them to not express any opinion otherwise?
1. NB that our Prime Minister heads a government which has consistently refused to merely say "Sorry" for the crimes committed against the indigenous peoples of this continent over the last couple of hundred years. :-/
So what has been the New South Wales government's response to the riots? Why, to recall State parliament to pass legislation giving police further powers. The new powers will:
allow police to lock down and take command of an area, enabling them to close roads, search people and confiscate vehicles.Of course, i'm sure such powers would never be misused - particularly against progressive movements - would they? :-P
The riots are, to me, a stark reminder of how legislation banning racist speech acts fails to address the underlying issue. i know i've said it many times before, but at times like this it's worth repeating:
You can't legislate social change! You can't force a change in people's beliefs and attitudes via the law.
Governments can, however, fund education programs to counter the simplistic - and, if i may use the phrase, 'black and white' - view of the world propagated by the mass media. As can community groups such as trade unions (who should definitely be funding campaigns, unless they're no longer promoting the concept of worker solidarity . . . . ). And the general community can organise and participate in broad community campaigns against racism, involving events such as this Sunday's planned peaceful rally in Sydney against racism. Isn't it time that we started actually convincing people that racism is a bad thing, instead of just ordering them to not express any opinion otherwise?
1. NB that our Prime Minister heads a government which has consistently refused to merely say "Sorry" for the crimes committed against the indigenous peoples of this continent over the last couple of hundred years. :-/
