Racism and Australia!

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packerpackposted 14 years ago
After my country India, the other two countries that I have always liked to travel and live were Canada and Australia but the recent incidence of violence against Indian students really made me think twice about Australia. There has been 5 major attacks against Indian students in past one month (there are many other unreported incidence happening too). The news really disturbed me.

Media reports have created an impression that there is a serious racial discrimination in Australia. But we all know everything reported by media is not always correct. I know these incidence are very severe and it does give wrong signals but are these signal reflecting the truth. I do not think so!

Need the opinion of my fellow Hubbers particularly Australian Hubber about such incidence and the reason for such incidence.
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  mohitmisraposted 14 years agoin reply to this
  "The human is a racist,
  Indeed even a sadist."
  
  Its not just Australia, its all over the world, we have racism even in India against different states.
  Have been to Sydney, Melbourne, Adelaide and Perth quite a few times and had a great time with the Aussies.
  Traveled the world but was never treated badly by anyone.
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darksideposted 14 years ago
You may have to clarify it a bit, as I don't watch the normal news channels, or read the newspapers much.

Do you have a news link?

If it is to do with recent attacks on the Newcastle of University campus I have heard through a few people (who actually go to the university, and also a friend of my wife who is a policeman) that young teens have targeted immigrant students on campus.

Not just students from India. Keep in mind that your media will report what's important to you, and mentioning others, such as Nigerians, or other nationalities, is extra effort. I see it too in Australian media if there's ever a major disaster overseas, throw in just one Australian victim or casualty and it goes from being a one column news item to front page news.

The reason? I guess targeting individual overseas students means a greater chance of success for the perpetrators. Cowards like that don't strike me as the type to want to take on a fair fight. Or pick on someone their own size.

I wouldn't be using 15 year old perps to define a nations racial intolerance.

A friend of mine in Thailand had mentioned via Facebook that he has come across restaurants in Bangkok where there are two menus. One for the Thais and another, with less selection and higher prices, for westerners.

If that sort of thing happened in Australia the backlash against such a business would be enormous, not to mention the court action that the business owner would have to face.
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  packerpackposted 14 years agoin reply to this
  I agree here but the news channels also mentioned about other countries too but since recent attack has been only Indian hence this story has got more time (which think is justified). And here is the link http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/8075855.stm and http://ibnlive.in.com/news/4th-attack-i … 6-2-7.html
  
  Agree here too, a gang beating one alone is definitely a show of cowardness but not all are fighters like you.
  
  And I also agree that few such incidence cannot the be used to rate the racial tolerance of a country. But these has really increased. It is Indian today, tomorrow it will some other country. This should stop. Maybe I sound very emotional but is it wrong to feel for the countrymen?
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  darksideposted 14 years agoin reply to this
  I see. I was unaware of that. Here's what I was referring to: ABC News and Sydney Morning Herald.
  
  Depending where in Australia the attacks take place, for instance Sydney and Melbourne, the perpetrators may not in fact be white of Anglo-Saxon descent. Regardless of whether the attackers are Lebanese or Maori (I'm not saying they are, but just using these two groups as an example) an attack on another group can be reported racist, even if it is not in fact racially motivated.
  
  Sometimes it's really hard to know what ethnic background the perpetrators are, as while they'll quickly identity the victims heritage or place of birth, the Australian media doesn't like to mention the same for those alleged to have committed the crimes.
  
  I have no qualms about describing the attackers involved in the Newcastle University. If they're 13 year old white kids, then let everyone know, so people can be aware.
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  Lissieposted 14 years agoin reply to this
  LOL which doesn't mean they aren't Australian ...
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  darksideposted 14 years agoin reply to this
  That's a good point. They indeed are Australian. It just happens that their parents came from a different part of the world.
  
  I'm a colonial. A first born in Australia. My parents immigrated to Australia in the 60's.
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  tksenseiposted 14 years agoin reply to this
  Would restaurants in Australia even have menus in Thai for their convenience? Do Thais in Australia generally have much, much more money than the local population?
  
  Just sayin'...
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  darksideposted 14 years agoin reply to this
  You miss the major point: charging extra because a person is of a certain race.
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  tksenseiposted 14 years agoin reply to this
  No, charging extra because the person is a foreigner (and assumed to be 'rich'). It sucks, but it happens in some countries.
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  darksideposted 14 years agoin reply to this
  Maybe in some countries it's an accepted practice, but if it happened in Australia it would be seen as being racist.
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  tksenseiposted 14 years agoin reply to this
  If Australia was a very poor country and visiting Thai were percieved as fabulously wealthy, I wonder if it would still be seen as racist.
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  Lissieposted 14 years agoin reply to this
  Its not race - its the country the live in now which = spending power - I've met Australian Asians who get overcharged in the countries of their ethnic origin - the locals know they are Australian -they can tell from the accent and the clothes - and they get charger foreigner prices - its very funny!
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  shibashakeposted 14 years agoin reply to this
  Actually, I don't think that is racism. It is more a tourist financial strategy. Segmenting your demand market and all that.
  
  When I visited Hong Kong with my parents, we got charged more too, even though we looked pretty local. However, they could tell we were tourists because we did not speak Cantonese with the local accent.
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  Lissieposted 14 years agoin reply to this
  In fact most Thai resataraunts are bilingual - and the prices are very high compared to Thailand. I went to a Vietnamese restaraunt in Perth - I wanted a specific dish that I remembered from Vietnam - it wasnt on the English menu. I asked and the waiter brought me the Vietnamese language menu - which is readable because they use the same alphabet - and I got what I wanted. The prices were the same - but the food was what I was expecting - having discovered Vietnamese in Vietnam - not the food that Vietnamese think Australians want to eat LOL! I now just ask for the Vietnamese menu when I eat there - I knew there had to be one because so many Vietnamese people eat there!
  
  This is not descrimination - its just market segementation.
  
  I think the 2 level of prices in Thailand and elsewhere is very common- I know when I was in rural thailand - years ago - there were no menus - its a western thing expecting a menu and the price written down- why would you do that when you don't know what the market will have each day or what the price of fish will be ? Westerns kept asking for menus - so they got them - they wanted prices - so the locals thought of a high number which meant they were exposed to the risk of the price in the market being higher than expected! Its called commerce as far as I am concerned - good on them!
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  tksenseiposted 14 years agoin reply to this
  What I meant was non-Thai restaurants in Australia.
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  darksideposted 14 years agoin reply to this
  Thai, probably not. But then again you've got understand that on one hand, Australia gets a lot of tourists from all over the world, and on the other, cities like Sydney and Melbourne and other densely populated areas have a huge cross section of different cultures.
  
  I haven't been to the Gold Coast since the late 80s but I understand there are a lot of signs in Japanese, because they get a huge amount of Japanese tourists.
  
  I don't think the Thais are charging us extra when we visit their country because we don't have menus in Thai when they visit ours.
  
  Lissie brings up an interesting point, but the scenario my friend outlined for me was something he saw in Bangkok, and there were menus in Thai with prices in Thai. It wasn't as if they had to wrap their head around the foreign concept of a menu and prices just for the English speaking tourists.
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  tksenseiposted 14 years agoin reply to this
  Thailand gets a lot of tourists from all over the world.
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  tksenseiposted 14 years agoin reply to this
  I wasn't implying that it was some kind of revenge.
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  darksideposted 14 years agoin reply to this
  You've taken me far too seriously.
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  shibashakeposted 14 years agoin reply to this
  You are too fast Lissie - you got all that out while I was still crafting my brilliant response
  
  Actually the local merchants are all very cool about tourists haggling with them. Because of this two-tier price structure, most tourists will cut the price by half or a quarter and start from there.
  
  It can be a nasty business though - one time I haggled too much and the merchant got insulted and did not want to sell me his goods - lol. I prefer Amazon
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  packerpackposted 14 years agoin reply to this
  I agree here. We just cannot rate everything racially motivated just for the sake of argument.
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  accofrancoposted 14 years agoin reply to this
  Nice communique'.
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  mohitmisraposted 14 years agoin reply to this
  In Japan a few places are only for the Japanese , as a foreigner you cannot enter-which sucks.
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  packerpackposted 14 years agoin reply to this
  That is bad
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  mohitmisraposted 14 years agoin reply to this
  Then I was in Germany and went out with some Philipino sailors.Decided to part with them and meet them around 4 am at a particular spot.Met some girls was dancing with them when these four Philipinos came into the pub together, they had not separated as they felt insecure. Everyone in the night club turned and looked at them with strange looks- racial discrimination is all over this planet.
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  Writer Riderposted 14 years agoin reply to this
  True, but the German, I find, is just a nut that you have to crack...hard on the outside, soft on the inside (at least the ones risen during in the 80s, 90s, and new milleneum). It's very important, as a foreigner, to make the effort to get to know them if you want a positive experience while in Germany.
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  mohitmisraposted 14 years agoin reply to this
  I have a strange connection with Germans, god knows why but have some friends who are German, I get along with people from all countries, no problem.
  I like their attitude towards perfection.
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  packerpackposted 14 years agoin reply to this
  I guess that is how we all should be and actually we all are like that here. Ya I do agree we fight sometimes but in the end we are all together. I am right I suppose
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  Writer Riderposted 14 years agoin reply to this
  Life's to short to waste my time. With that said, I'm not inclined to feel "one" with someone who constantly brings their negative energy with them.
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  Writer Riderposted 14 years agoin reply to this
  Which is ok, everyone is dealing with, whatever, but I'm busy now and don't need that negativity. Hence, for the moment, I shut negative people out. Doesn't mean I will forever, but for now, see ya!
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Dame Scribeposted 14 years ago
Racism occurs world wide I would not pass too harsh a judgement on any one nation as a whole for cowardly acts of a few. Those few are making a bad image for themselves. do not give them power, Packerpack.
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  tksenseiposted 14 years agoin reply to this
  That's a good point.
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  packerpackposted 14 years agoin reply to this
  I agree, idiots like these are present everywhere, in all form and colour.
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Lissieposted 14 years ago
I live in Australia, I have the passport - but I usually call myself a New Zealander.

The news reports got some air play here in Perth- the police don't think its particularly focussed against Indians- its more like they are seen to have the stuff to steal: cellphone laptop whatever. Similar stuff happens in Perth from time-to-time - but its usually Chinese students who get attacked - probably more of those here than Indians.

There is serious racial descrimination in Australia - the worst of it against the Aborigines who live marginalised lifes which wouldn't be out of place compared to some Indian slums (yes I've been to both).

When I was travelled in India - I was the target all the time - the only blonde solo female - I got picked up more than attacked but couple of times I felt vulnerable and I was pick pocketed several times - no big deal.

If you watch the news you will never travel anywhere. I wrote about emigrating to Oz here http://hubpages.com/hub/Moving-to-Australia
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  dianacharlesposted 14 years agoin reply to this
  A great hub there Lissie...very informative.Some Indians are running scared now since our news is mentioning the recent attacks as being 'Indian-specific'.Some students are returning and those who had decided to study there are in two minds now.
  The news keeps flashing the picture of the student who was in a coma, but now in a stable condition.Also the knife-attack in the train is quite sad to watch.
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  Marisa Wrightposted 14 years agoin reply to this
  It's very sad when things get blown out of proportion like this and it means people are afraid of doing something they want to do.
  
  The attacks are real and horrible, of course, but all the reports indicate they're not racially motivated.
  
  Anyone out in a big city late at night, anywhere in the world, is at risk of getting mugged. Muggers will always pick the people who they think will be the most profitable targets.
  
  It's the same as when I lived in Africa - I wasn't a target of racial violence, but I was an easy target because everyone knew that because I was white, I was sure to be carrying money. It's become known in Melbourne that Indian students (who often work at late night stores to earn extra money) are probably still carrying their laptops and mobiles as they head home after work. And unfortunately, because their skin happens to be a different colour, they're easy to pick out.
  
  Yes, there is some racial discrimination in Australia, like anywhere else in the world. Yet one of my black American friends (from Chicago) tells me he moved to Australia because it is so racially tolerant compared to the US.
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  countrywomenposted 14 years agoin reply to this
  Marisa- Yes things sometimes are blown out of proportion. In India parents are getting nervous after hearing all this media sound bytes. I hope the dust settles down soon and the police bring the guilty to justice soon. Btw I haven't lived in any other country besides US (I am from India). In my company which is a very large company there are VP's who belong to Indian origin. In US if someone is talented and hardworking sky is the limit. I don't know what your friend's personal experiences are but my experiences in US has been nothing but fantastic. I and my husband both feel blessed to be able to live/work in US. US is one of the most immigrant friendly country one can ever find.
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  packerpackposted 14 years agoin reply to this
  Well yes you are correct. Anyone foreigner here in India are under the threat of been looted or if you are female then sexual abuse may come anytime. Many such incidence has occurred here and it has created a very bad impression about India in some minds in other countries but let me assure you this is not what India is. Because of these few beggars and sexually frustrated ass...es the image of this amazing country has been tarnished in many minds. Thrust me, we are very helpful and treat guests like God.
  
  Similar was the impression created in my mind about OZ when I came across this news. For the past few days they have been on air. Although I knew that no matter how grave the situation be the whole country cannot be rated racist on these basis. But then as you admitted yourself that
  
  so I just wanted to know about the actual picture from the people of actually living there. Maybe I talk about it now because my countrymen have been targeted but these episodes are very bad for any country or community be it India, Australia or any other country. Hope things come to normal and the culprit are brought to justice!
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  darksideposted 14 years agoin reply to this
  Employment and government forms usually have a box on it to tick whether or not a person is of Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander descent.
  
  Ticking the box does not result in discrimination. Or perhaps it does. It actually entitles them to an advantage, extra funding and all sorts of other benefits.
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earnestshubposted 14 years ago
I live in Melbourne where these crimes took place. Most Melbournians are horrified at the attacks on the Indian students here.
In many cases students are traveling too and from University within a major city which has a small element of criminals who see students as an easy target for robbery. Melbourne is a very safe city apart from this fairly new problem. The economy is not good here and that seems to make it worse. I feel for the parents of these young people too, they must be so scared and upset by this news when their children are in a supposedly safe place!
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  ajcorposted 14 years agoin reply to this
  I agree earnestshub - it is dreadful for these students, their parents, Australia in the world view and the perceived racist attitude that Australians are deemed to have towards the Indian students and all because of a few rotten eggs! It is not right and I hope that the police catch the perpetrators and they are punished severely - their singularly base actions are reflecting on us all!
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Mrvoodooposted 14 years ago
Most Chinese restaurants in England have a secret second menu for Chinese customers as well. Although in this case I don't think it's based on charging the English customers more, just that the Chinese food eaten by the Chinese and the Chinese food eaten by the English are very different indeed, you don't find many 'chicken feet' on the English menu.
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Lissieposted 14 years ago
LOL shibashake - the whole bargaining thing is hilarious - most foreigners don't think you "can" bargain in a restaraunt with prices written down though- in which case more power to the restaraunt!

Actually darkside re the Japanese signs - Ive seen shops/restaraunts in Cairns and Queenstown NZ entirely focussed on the Japanese market: high priced/high quality cosmetics/ jewellery, woolen products (in NZ) - I live near Queenstown for a while and the same jumper which sold in the "Japanese" shop for $300 - could be had for $70 in the NZ shop down the road - the difference - Japanese signage and Japanese speaking staff. So yes there is 2 tier pricing - at least in NZ - its just not in the same shop - therefore getting around the local discrimination laws
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Shalini Kagalposted 14 years ago
When incidents like these happen. maybe one needs to ask 'Why?' I doubt if it would have happened in Australia at times when the economy was great and jobs were a-plenty. When it looks like hard times may be coming, the instinctive urge in any place is to take it out on the outsider.

Are many of the jobs going to people from outside? Is it tough for the locals to get jobs because of that? Education is a booming industry worldwide and we Indians are addicts when it comes to education. One of the main reasons why so many of us send our children to other countries is because of our reservations - most of the seats in the universities are give to the lower castes or the poor. That's fine - but it means a lot of our kids are out of the running - so those of us who can afford it, send them to other countries to get a great education.

What the governments need to do perhaps is to allow children from other parts of the world to study there - but not to work especially in times like these. I doubt if there will be resentment when jobs are protected!
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  earnestshubposted 14 years agoin reply to this
  I don't know of many jobs being lost in Australia, as new workers has always been good for us, I feel it is a small group that have done this, and our police will catch them.
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accofrancoposted 14 years ago
...and a cousin of mine was affected though, not seriously wounded, i wonder why some teens would prefer killing to studying hard for better grades plus this puts more fear in me about travelling to MIT usa for masters next year or so,i'm too young to die now, never achieved any top lists of my life goals and my foundation is still under nurture.
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  darksideposted 14 years agoin reply to this
  Where is your cousin?
  
  If it's Newcastle, the attacks have been to rob, not so much to assault, so I don't know where you get the 'killing' part from.
  
  If you're fearful of travelling to the US when this is about Australia then you're better off staying at home.
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  accofrancoposted 14 years agoin reply to this
  I see? No i love usa for life; usa,japan,switz and russia are my best country then india, i must be in usa soon. Two of my cousin even won usa dv lottery this year, but i hate to apply for lottery because of some rumors i heard, so i prefer coming on my own. Darkside i do have alot of family members and friends in the us, and my parents do visit there to
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BundleBoyposted 14 years ago
I was born in India and lived in Sydney for more than 6 years. I hold a Australian passport, but live in US now. During my 6 years in Sydney I have seen racism personally many a times. I have seen first hand people being attacked for speaking their language in a public place. But to generalize all Australians as racists is not fair. Racism exists all over the world. Even in India we have another form of discrimination called Castism.
We cannot generalize or label a whole country based on some immature nuts doing it. Where ever it happens it needs to be admonished severely.
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  earnestshubposted 14 years agoin reply to this
  BundleBoy, when you say people were attacked in a public place, do you mean verbally or physically? I would not have thought a physical attack would happen in Sydney in a public place.
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  BundleBoyposted 14 years agoin reply to this
  earnestshub In PUBLIC,physically right at the Central Station after mid night (2-3 AM). I had to run away from the scene since I also belonged to the community that was being attacked and was afraid they might mistake me to be part of that group. This was on the first week I was in Sydney. But I love Sydney and now consider it my home. I still do not think all Aussie's are racists.
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accofrancoposted 14 years ago
...and a cousin of mine was affected though, not seriously wounded, i wonder why some teens would prefer killing to studying hard for better grades plus this puts more fear in me about travelling to MIT usa for masters next year or so,i'm too young to die now, never achieved any top lists of my life goals and my foundation is still under nurture.
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accofrancoposted 14 years ago
Yes i second you bundleboy, friends and cousins who school and reside at Perth, Adelaide and Melbourne have reported this issue of racism many atimes, and that was why i changed my love for Melbourne Uni. Australians need to change their att. twards foreigners anyway, especially Indians, Nigerians and some other Asians and Africans too.
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  earnestshubposted 14 years agoin reply to this
  Most Australians deplore racism. We have police that will take immediate actions and courts that prosecute offenders as well. You cannot brand a country because of a few individuals.
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  accofrancoposted 14 years agoin reply to this
  i am not branding sir,just being weird of dying early through murder, i have many poor and ex-prisoners to care for plus i have several unfulfilled goals and i need to travel to other countries you know?
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  darksideposted 14 years agoin reply to this
  Says the man with the strange perception of American women.
  
  But then again the view you held isn't one borne from hate, it's probably why you're so keen to get to America.
  
  You need to take a documentary crew with you: Accofranco Does America.
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  earnestshubposted 14 years agoin reply to this
  I too remember the post on American women, he may need more than a doco crew, he may need a sign that says "Sorry American Women".
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  accofrancoposted 14 years agoin reply to this
  You totally misunderstood that hub,it was meant to be a joke and to brighten up your day,bt you misinterpreted it anyway, i still appologise?I once got admin. at Harvard in 2003,bt dad said i can't go cos, i was tender to be left alone in the us,so he wanted me to get first foundatn here first before being exposed to the western world, isn't that good or was it bad of him?
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accofrancoposted 14 years ago
I was hospitalized for some days now, so i just heard from an aunt that her son schooling in Aust. was robbed, so i thought he was hurt anyway, sick reasoning by me.
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SweetiePieposted 14 years ago
Even in one's native country there are situations where one person is charged more than the next person. Once we won tickets to the local Renaissance Faire, which personally I would not have paid for as it was highly overpriced. It was fun to walk around, but if you were a woman the male vendors were incessantly badgering you to buy things from their booths, or try your hand at a Renaissance themed game.

One vendor wanted to sell a handmade cat in the hat style chapeau to my sister for thirty dollars, but she was a teen with her first job and did not have that much. She talked him down to twenty, which he finally accepted. Later on she ran into a guy that asked her how she could afford this hat, and he was upset to hear that the vendor had wanted to charge him fifty, but she paid quite less. Apparently the vendors often gave discounts to the women and not the men. I just thought that was kind of odd, but there were no set prices at the Faire and the vendors could haggle.
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  packerpackposted 14 years agoin reply to this
  I don't think this should be given as an example for racial discrimination. This is simple business, how much you can make out of other people, how much can you fool others. Generally a foreigner gets fooled easily because he/she has no knowledge about the local market. These things cannot be racial discrimination. Accordingly to me it is when you are treated differently just because you speak different language or come from different place or are of different colour.
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  accofrancoposted 14 years agoin reply to this
  You speak so sound and neat, you must be an ambassador against descrimination and racism, plz include Chauvinism,nepotism and Nazism too!
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  packerpackposted 14 years agoin reply to this
  I am no ambassador buddy! A simple man want to live a simple life but I just cannot shut my eyes and ears. Imagine the condition of parents of one of the victims, he is a simple farmer, used all his saving to send his son to study and he is not left with any money to go there and see him when he is battling for his life.
  
  Seeing this it is important to know the root of the problem but then we get diverted and start pulling in everything for the sake of argument.
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  accofrancoposted 14 years agoin reply to this
  So painful and appalling!
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  accofrancoposted 14 years agoin reply to this
  this is a situation i love to interfere had it been i had the finance and opportunity now. Anyway, God will lead him through.
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  packerpackposted 14 years agoin reply to this
  That sounds really great! At least you have a heart unlike them!
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  accofrancoposted 14 years agoin reply to this
  I was born to, courtesy of my mum;i run a personal-financed non-profit foundation for poor children and ex-prisoners(not prisoners on murder case, i don't have such finance to rehab. them for now).
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  accofrancoposted 14 years agoin reply to this
  That's where my adsense earnings is planned to venture, but it has never been good to go, few cents a week.
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  SweetiePieposted 14 years agoin reply to this
  My story was not about racial discrimination and you take things way out of context. The scenario I was sharing here is not about simple business because I have been to many, many fairs where vendors have standard prices listed, but this was the only one I have attended where haggling was involved. I was simply sharing a story about how there are situations where different people are charged different prices, and I am free contribute to the forum in any shape and form I like. Honestly I was just sharing a funny story, and please do not tell me what and what not you think I can share. Very silly indeed!
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  packerpackposted 14 years agoin reply to this
  O sure you are free but since the discussion was about racism so I thought that you too are trying to give an example for the same. I did not understand that you were trying convey a different point and trying to share a funny story. Looks like you lost your cool!
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  SweetiePieposted 14 years agoin reply to this
  I did not lose my cool, but I am just letting you know that the last comment was a little silly.
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  packerpackposted 14 years agoin reply to this
  O no no... I never imply things. I always try to take them in the sense they are spoken although sometimes I go wrong, like in this case. You were trying to share an experience of yours, I did not understood and gave you a good lecture type reply comment which appeared silly to you and maybe also annoyed you too. Things are all cool now I guess!
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  SweetiePieposted 14 years agoin reply to this
  It is fine, but I had just wanted to clarify .
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  packerpackposted 14 years agoin reply to this
  I do not agree with you on this. I have read a number of replies from you and I have always found them to be perfect. You don't agree with me, do you, huh????
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  SweetiePieposted 14 years agoin reply to this
  I feel out of sink with the forum culture at times, which is all I meant . I try to share thoughtful comments when I can though.
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countrywomenposted 14 years ago
Accofranco- You must be a geek to get admit in Harvard and now in MIT. Anyway the point is that a few disgruntled students shouldn't make everyone consider the whole country as racists.

PP- I don't know if Amitabh Bachan's refusing the doctorate was a good thing or not since it is a honor and refusing a honor may not always be the best way of conveying our grievances. And also even in US when I got Assistantship I was asked once by an American student(in my second semester). The moment I told my GRE score and GPA so far in the MS course (which till that point was 4.0) he was satisfied that I deserved it. I guess some folks may feel sort of envy when outsiders do better than the locals but again I never attended any parties(which I regret sometimes for being so studious). Sometimes people see only the results but not the sacrifices some of the folks from other countries have to do. But overall in US people appreciate if a person is hardworking and determined (maybe because this country was built to be a great power because of countless number of engineers/scientists immigrating from all parts of the world). I have heard of incidents in UK(especially Indian Doctors) but not so much about Australia. I hope those who are guilty are caught so that the entire nation of Australia doesn't have to be blamed for the acts of a few miscreants. I also feel for the parents of those victims since a child's education is considered the best investment ever by parents in India so that their children can have a better life. After all the sacrifices by the parents and children would be futile if some untoward incident like this happens. It is not a time to point fingers but a serious approach where those guilty are brought to justice and also those students feel safe while pursuing there studies. Have a good day.
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  packerpackposted 14 years agoin reply to this
  I think this is just a peaceful way to protest and let the other know that you are hurt. I know it is a great honor and refusing that is an insult but look at the bigger picture. I think it is very important to have support of influential people like AB. You may feel it is a wrong way to protest but then what would you say about our freedom fighter Rabindra Nath Tagore. British empire awarded him the knighthood for his contribution to arts and literature during his time but he refused it to convey his protest against the British empire in India. Knighthood is surely a very big honor but look at the bigger picture!
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  accofrancoposted 14 years agoin reply to this
  That is their usual political way of silencing such reputable freedom fighters but, the man stood distinctive,i always use him for good recommendations.
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  countrywomenposted 14 years agoin reply to this
  Well usually the SIR title was given in those days to British subjects and Tagore didn't want to be identified as a "subject". Anyway that is besides the point. I feel the bigger picture in my view is not to consider a few hooligans to represent Australia as a nation. Australia as a nation is one of the finest where many immigrants have migrated and when a renowned figure also takes the common view based on current emotional situation then that somehow doesn't seem right. I mean certain people have to take every step very carefully because both by there commissions and omissions they tend to send strong signals. Anyway he is a very learned man and has every right to take whatever step he feels is right. I was just stating my point of view.
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  countrywomenposted 14 years agoin reply to this
  As I suspected there are demonstrations in India since even a popular person like Amitabh Bachan supports this protest by sending strong signal and now comman man is reacting in different ways. So sad but that is the way things are in reality. People with influence need to know how to use it appropriately.
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  packerpackposted 14 years agoin reply to this
  CW knowing you are an Indian I suppose you know how things work here. I do not think those protests are because of AB's decision. I would like to quote a comment made by me earlier
  
  By saying this I do not intent to say that I am supporting AB blindly, just want to say that demonstration in India are mostly if not always, are politically motivated.
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  countrywomenposted 14 years agoin reply to this
  Oh absolutely. How can one individual ever be the sole reason and that's why I used the word "even" to indicate that in a country of 1200 million maybe 1200 people may not think for themselves and take to such demonstrations. Often it is not the millions of people who think for themselves and tend to not make the news(and going unreported) but a few who do get involved in such demonstrations that gets the media coverage. I agree it may even be political (in that case Amitabh Bachan's close connections with SP may also have to be researched).
  
  My whole point is that responsible people whom people adore/look up to need to be more careful since there are some who don't care to think for themselves and it is those few who tend to follow any directions given by any politician/"leader" to do as per there selfish agenda(be it cheap publicity or whatever).
  
  Btw I am sure that Australia will bring to justice those few who are responsible since it not only affects them morally but may even hurt them financially (if students from certain countries opt out to study there). In my view US/Canada followed by Australia/NZ are the most favorable developed nations for immigrants with little to no racial discrimination whatsoever. Have a good day.
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accofrancoposted 14 years ago
CW- i couldn't find "geek" in my dictionary not even in my phone's advanced english dict. what's the meaning of that word? I like knowing the meaning of every word i come accross, not smart enough shei? Don't mind my sick dumb head, help me with da word plz?
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  darksideposted 14 years agoin reply to this
  Go to http://www.urbandictionary.com and type in the word in the top bit where it says "look up" and then hit search.
  
  It'll help you with the slang and colloquialisms of the Western world.
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  accofrancoposted 14 years agoin reply to this
  Thank you sir,this will help me further in my english career.Thanks?
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  accofrancoposted 14 years agoin reply to this
  I've understood the word meaning but only CW can interpret the contextual meaning of the word she used "geek",just kinda curious to knwo what ya mean plz? May be wrong understanding again from my audience;back then i was pursuing medicine b4 i noticed my hatred for blood and Biology Science,so i dropped for Engineering,and MIT is now my choiced Uni. because i always like a leading school with rep. like d one i attended here: FUTO (federal uni. of tech. Owerri) one of da best in engr. in my country.Hope you grab me nw
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  countrywomenposted 14 years agoin reply to this
  The word geek is a slang for someone who is technically very good. Since you managed to get admission in top univ like Harvard and now MIT(considered as the Mecca of Technology) I used that term. It is supposed to be complimentary my friend. I wish you a bright and successful career.
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accofrancoposted 14 years ago
What helped me most then was my cousin who came up the overall best candidate in my National Joint Admission and Matriculation Board Exam(JAMB) in 2001, he scored 324 out of the total score of 400, he wanted to study medicine and surgery and he just graduated last year now doing his housemanship,so back then i used to compete with him for academic excellence,though i scored 288 in JAMB but i beat him in WAEC where i got 8 distinctions and a credit pass then scored 800+ in TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) for international admission. By God's grace i graduated with a very close to First Class in Bachelor of Mechanical Engineering, and i will soon enrole as a literature and english student for my writing career(i love to write but i still some grounding you know)?
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  agvulpesposted 14 years agoin reply to this
  You know the old saying " never underestimate someone who claims they are dumb"
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notorious_HAIposted 14 years ago
As Dame Scribe mentioned, racism occurs world wide. Australia is one of the most multicultural places to live and one of the most culturally tolerant nations in the world. I wouldn't judge the whole nation on the ignorant and vile acts of a few misguided individuals.

What happened in Melbourne was absolutely disgusting and most people across the country were horrified by the attacks. I'm glad it was brought to public attention so that everyone is more aware that even though we pride ourselves on being culturally accepting, these violent attacks still happen, often under the radar and needs urgent attention.
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accofrancoposted 14 years ago
Sometimes i feel so pissed off with the world and its injustice,unequal opportunities and cruelty;i ask myself,why all these, can't religion and humans make things right? Why not if not, i still ponder.
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blondepoetposted 14 years ago
As an Australian I am very sad to hear about those attacks, this is the first time I have heard about it. I have an Indian friend who just came from India to Australia to live earlier this year, and he loves our country so much.I suppose it also comes down to there are good and bad eggs everywhere you go, but there are heaps of good Aussies too which out way the bad. Overall I consider myself lucky to live in such a country.
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  accofrancoposted 14 years agoin reply to this
  Yeah, but your govt. should try and bring those unrule kids to book or else, no lesson will be learnt by the upcoming ones, Australia and Switz has been known for peace but recently things are changing just like a glimpse y?
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  packerpackposted 14 years agoin reply to this
  I too share the same opinion. Given an option I would like to live either in OZ or Canada as mentioned in OP but what has happened is true. About 6k students protested in front of the Victorian parliament. This protest cannot be the result of some stray incidence. It is not just Indians but people from other countries has been targeted too as agreed by many here. Something is wrong and something has to be done or else the multi-million dollar education business in Australia will be hit very badly and that is what no one wants, neither the students nor the Australian gov.
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  accofrancoposted 14 years agoin reply to this
  Tighter securities should be set around students' quarters to prevent further incursion.
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  blondepoetposted 14 years agoin reply to this
  I agree totally those responsible need to be dealt with an everything done possible to prevent it happening again
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  BundleBoyposted 14 years agoin reply to this
  blondepoet I cannot agree more. I love Australia and for every numb nut there is creating trouble there are hundreds more that are great to work and live with.
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darksideposted 14 years ago
Nobody bother responding to the tool above. They've been reported.

EDIT: I'm referring to karthimessenger.

Just in case the troll gets deleted and people think I'm talking about mohitmisra.
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packerpackposted 14 years ago
You are done buddy, you are done. Just see how your account vanishes in thin air. I warned you before but you didn't listen. You are showing yourself in the same light as those attackers. Shame on you!
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  SweetiePieposted 14 years agoin reply to this
  That person has opened several threads that really do not make any sense. I think you are right, his account will not last long if he keeps making comments like that.
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  notorious_HAIposted 14 years agoin reply to this
  Good on you Packerpack. That person was really offensive.
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Writer Riderposted 14 years ago
Nationality is just a label.
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packerpackposted 14 years ago
Just thought to update you all. With the protest still on there was yet another attack today. Looks like these guys have thrown an open challenge to gov. I guess it is high time. Good news is that Australian prime minister has promised to take very strict action.
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  Will Apseposted 14 years agoin reply to this
  Hasn't he got a country to run? Don't they have a police force in Australia? I hope he isn't going to become a vigilante.
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  darksideposted 14 years agoin reply to this
  LOL. There's gold in that thar reply!
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  countrywomenposted 14 years agoin reply to this
  I agree the PM can't be everywhere. And even the Indian government got involved hence maybe the Australian PM tried to address this issue. And as per some news items it seems that in the past some local police officials didn't take the complaints from the victims side seriously. But now that the PM has made an official statement to this effect which will percolate the message down below about the gravity of the situation hence enable some local police/govt folks to consider such complaints more seriously in the future. Anyway everybody should try to move on after having the lessons learned. Students need good places to study and also universities need the students.
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abhitgoposted 14 years ago
Its just a group of people ruining the name of their own country....

Its Sad...
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packerpackposted 14 years ago
Looks like things are cooling down. Protest has been called off after police intervention, victim in comma seem to be doing good. Hope the peace be restored as soon as possible and things return to normal.

This is sort of out of context but I thought to share this data with all. FYI

Australia's international student sector is the country's third largest export earner, behind coal and iron ore, totalling A$13 billion ($10 billion) in 2007-08. http://in.news.yahoo.com/137/20090601/7 … an-st.html
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darksideposted 14 years ago
I'm seeing news reports of people in India burning posters of Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd.

I'm not sure how that's supposed to help the situation.
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  packerpackposted 14 years agoin reply to this
  Definitely it is not going to help in anyway. Those guys you see on the TV are shouting just to fulfill their political purpose. You will find many such people in India who have no better work but give any issue a political colour and come in limelight.
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earnestshubposted 14 years ago
Australia is about to get it's first anti racist ralley!
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  packerpackposted 14 years agoin reply to this
  Is it true? I thought that things have cooled down.
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cashmereposted 14 years ago
Hey Paper pack, thanks for the idea for this post.
Check it out and tell me what you think.
http://www.bukisa.com/articles/104134_r … -australia
Ah yeah, I also borrowed the forum thread name you started. Hope you don't mind.
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  packerpackposted 14 years agoin reply to this
  O no not at all buddy. It is all cool so long you do not copy the whole content. Copying idea is no big deal, in-fact it should be done or else readers will not have option but read about an information only from one source. More then one article on the same topic also ensures a healthy competition which is good! I liked it and also rated it highly! Just see if you can manage to add some pictures.
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  cashmereposted 14 years agoin reply to this
  Thanks a lot Om
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cashmereposted 14 years ago
DID you read the paper?
One more attack bringing it to six this month alone!
What is going on down under?
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  darksideposted 14 years agoin reply to this
  Not much. I look out the window here and all I see is green paddocks and cows. And the occasional kangaroo.
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earnestshubposted 14 years ago
It is a very small minority causing this spate of attacks. Please wait. Our police will catch them for sure!
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  packerpackposted 14 years agoin reply to this
  Well yes we are waiting and we also hope that things settle down fast!
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ht33radposted 14 years ago
a few bad eggs - not reflective of overall attitude at all.
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