Is Australia really that racist?

[Carpe Diem]

First of all, I know that every country is as racist as the next, and I don't want to offend any fellow Aussies here on TH. I just wanted to address this question which has been lingering in my head since I find this country really attractive and I really want to visit it one day but everyone tells me it's the #1 most racist country in the world :/.

First of all, I have 4 or 5 friends of mixed ethnicities (Japanese, Chinese, Indian, Brazilian, and Mexican) who have all gone to Australia at some point in their lives with their families. Each and EVERY one of them has had a really bad experience there which has pretty much ruined the trip for them (whether it be a racist bartender, unequal treatment, or straight - up racial slurs).

Today, since I was bored, I googled 'Australia' and 'Racism' and could not believe so many pages popped up with numerous articles on people being mistreated, and even killed due to their skin colour and ethnicity.

This is worrying because I've always wanted to visit the deserts, the coral reefs, sunny Sydney/Melbourne, and even that lake that glows in the dark. Unfortunately, with all these negative experiences, I'm becoming wary of even going there.

So what do you guys think? Should I give it a shot and plan to go to Australia? Have any of you had bad experiences? Do you believe Australia's tag of one of the most racist countries in the world or do you think it is being exaggerated?

PS. I am extremely self wary where the few racist events in my life have somewhat scarred me internally.

[Maverick.]

It's not that it's racist, Australian history has a hard time of understanding different cultures. For example, aboriginals. Many aboriginals aren't treated that well. Many are referred to as black or African, which the majority of them aren't. Japanese or Chinese people who were born or immigrated to Australia are sometimes prejudiced.

You said it yourself, every country has it's share of racism. But I wouldn't call Australia the grand capital of racism and prejudice. I have been to New Zealand, and not Australia. But the cultures are generally identical. The people were very nice, and I didn't have any problems.

[George^^]

I've actually never heard about that, and don't let a few (or a bunch) of racist assholes keep you from going there if they really want to. I've had racist moments... from people who are of the same culture as me... which is fucked up. (I have been told I will be a "one dollar woman" because I'm inuk, from people who are also inuk....)

[SerenitySmile]

Every country has certain prejudices that tie along with its history. It sounds like you're interested in going to "touristy" places which are generally safe. I wouldn't feel intimidated by the Australians or any group of people for that matter. You're going there to take in the culture, not be threatened by it. I know Australia does have some beef with the natives, but I would never expect the citizens in places like Victoria and New South Wales to bark racial slurs at people.

[ShimmeringFaerie]

No, I don't think that Australia is more racist than any other major Western country. I really don't understand where that reputation comes from. I once had someone say that in Australia, we still segregate white people and Indigenous people on public transport which is absolute rubbish.

I think Australia's reputation is mainly from the fact that racist Australians are usually loud. They make a big scene and racist events are all over our news. In other countries, racism is a little more swept under the rug. Due to our history with Indigenous Australians, we are always being watched for hints of racism. And there are plenty of non-racist people who are happy to blow the whistle on racism. Racism in Australia is just more publicised than other countries.

I've lived in Australia my whole life. And I have rarely seen any racism in my day-to-day life. I have heard people in the older generation make racist comments sometimes, though usually only in front of white people. And plenty of people will call them out on it. I've gone to and worked in schools with students from mixed ethnicities (Indigenous Australians, Chinese, Brazilian, Japanese, German and so on) and I've never seen any white Australian students treat them any differently.

I'm sorry that your friends had bad experiences, but I have to wonder if they have let bad treatment from one Australian cloud their view of all the people who live here who welcome people from other cultures.

[Celestial.]

Originally Posted by ShimmeringFaerie

No, I don't think that Australia is more racist than any other major Western country. I really don't understand where that reputation comes from. I once had someone say that in Australia, we still segregate white people and Indigenous people on public transport which is absolute rubbish.

I think Australia's reputation is mainly from the fact that racist Australians are usually loud. They make a big scene and racist events are all over our news. In other countries, racism is a little more swept under the rug. Due to our history with Indigenous Australians, we are always being watched for hints of racism. And there are plenty of non-racist people who are happy to blow the whistle on racism. Racism in Australia is just more publicised than other countries.

I've lived in Australia my whole life. And I have rarely seen any racism in my day-to-day life. I have heard people in the older generation make racist comments sometimes, though usually only in front of white people. And plenty of people will call them out on it. I've gone to and worked in schools with students from mixed ethnicities (Indigenous Australians, Chinese, Brazilian, Japanese, German and so on) and I've never seen any white Australian students treat them any differently.

I'm sorry that your friends had bad experiences, but I have to wonder if they have let bad treatment from one Australian cloud their view of all the people who live here who welcome people from other cultures.

This pretty much covered everything I wanted to say, but more eloquently than I would have done.
I wouldn't let these stories put you off coming to Australia, especially if you're planning on doing touristy things; those people there are usually very accepting, and used to people from all over the world.
I think the media coverage of actual occurrences of racism has been a little over-the-top, so that the situation seems a lot worse than it is.

[ReluctantPegasister]

I've actually heard that Australia is really sexist? Is that true?

[Marguerite]

As an Australian I disagree with some of the other Australian's who have commented. Don't get me wrong, you'll definitely be safe and It's probably unlikely anybody will even bother you about it.

But from what I've seen we are a very racist country.

Two points.

1. Refugees

2. Australia Day

Case closed.

[Carpe Diem]

Originally Posted by Marguerite

As an Australian I disagree with some of the other Australian's who have commented. Don't get me wrong, you'll definitely be safe and It's probably unlikely anybody will even bother you about it.

But from what I've seen we are a very racist country.

Two points.

1. Refugees

2. Australia Day

Case closed.

Sounds interesting, can you elaborate?

[rizz]

Originally Posted by ReluctantPegasister

I've actually heard that Australia is really sexist? Is that true?

I'm Australian and i wouldn't say that we are any more racist or sexist then any other country in fact our PRIME Minister is a woman and I've never been treated any different for being female.

i have lots of friends of different backgrounds, in fact I'm from a place called frankston which is seen as one of the worst places in Victoria and i have never seen any racism

[rizz]

Originally Posted by Marguerite

As an Australian I disagree with some of the other Australian's who have commented. Don't get me wrong, you'll definitely be safe and It's probably unlikely anybody will even bother you about it.

But from what I've seen we are a very racist country.

Two points.

1. Refugees

2. Australia Day

Case closed.

i'm guessing by "Australia day" you are referring to the incident where the PM and Opposition Leader Tony Abbott were hounded by protesters and trapped in the restaurant?

http://www.couriermail.com.au/news/n...-1226254425146

[Carpe Diem]

This is in wikipedia's page on Australia Day, I thought maybe Marguerite was talking about this...

"The date is controversial to some Australians, particularly those of Indigenous heritage, leading to the use of alternate names, such as Invasion Day and Survival Day. Proposals have been made to change the date of Australia Day, but these have failed to gain widespread public support."

[ShimmeringFaerie]

Originally Posted by Carpe Diem

This is in wikipedia's page on Australia Day, I thought maybe Marguerite was talking about this...

"The date is controversial to some Australians, particularly those of Indigenous heritage, leading to the use of alternate names, such as Invasion Day and Survival Day. Proposals have been made to change the date of Australia Day, but these have failed to gain widespread public support."

That's true. But it's no different from other countries, like the USA with Thanksgiving. Marguerite makes some good points about racist aspects of Australia. But I don't think it means that Australia is the most racist country in the world and as she pointed out, people would be very unlikely to bother you in day-to-day life. I would never say that there aren't issues of racism in Australia, but it shouldn't stop you from visiting, especially since you would face the same issues in plenty of countries around the world.

[exoticturtle]

I'm from Australia as well and although yeah we have a racist history (and a few politicians too, quite unfortunately), I can tell you that the town I grew up in had almost all completely white Caucasian people there for as long as Im aware of (and far too many yobbos, quite unfortunately - we had a pretty bad reputation), and just a few years ago a large group of Sudanese refugees settled there and the whole community was all extremely supportive and inclusive of them all. So really it basically are just the loud mouths who spoil the reputation and it does depend where you ate. But I have never known of any bad racism issues occur in my local communities, and I live in Melbourne now which is very multicultural and the vast majority of people here are not racist at all.

[dr2005]

The situation regarding the Aboriginal population and refugees from South-East Asia certainly doesn't help in terms of perception of racism, and there are definite cases to answer on both fronts. Outside of that, I wouldn't say it's necessarily any worse than other countries - it's more that every country has its share of racists and, as has been pointed out, they tend to be the more vocal. It could certainly be better, but that applies to the UK as well which I fear is becoming more xenophobic by the day...