Do you consider yourself Australian?

Originally posted by homerJ
I was born in Australia and I am white.
I will NEVER drive a v8 ute with a Southern Cross sticker on it,
I'll never strut around with a pair of those stupid board shorts with the Aussie flag all over them.
Patriotism is for International sport and thats about it!
meat pies give me reflux,
all the islanders I know are like brothers to me,
we've got room for many more people from many more countries.
If I'd just moved to a strange country, I'd be hanging out with my fellow immigrants too!
I have felt intimidated at various train stations when surrounded by large groups of rowdy Africans but definitely no more intimidated than them when they first moved here.
Allan Jones (the radio presenter that regularly fans the race fire) is a total @$$hole.

I don't wear any of that stuff either, but that is not what makes you an Australian. I also don't understand how we gave these Africans a new life in Australia, yet they form gangs and bash peoples?

Originally posted by LightAssassin
reply to post by Jace26

 

Sorry but even White Australian isn't Australian. I love this country but we did the typical English thing and slaughtered the natives and took their land.

I'm ashamed to be Australian. Especially with our current government.

20,000 Aborigines killed in 150 years is not a slaughter.

8+ million Russians killed in 1918 was a slaughter.

The British didn't steal the land as they never owned it too begin with.

Originally posted by squandered

Originally posted by Jace26

Originally posted by Atzil321
Considering you are being so confrontational towards everyone, here have some of your own medicine

This is what a true Australian looks like....

They are not true Australians, a true Australian matters in your heart and mind. Many white people love this land just as much as any Indigenous person. We don't need to prove anything to them, they merely lived a nomadic lifestyle here before the first fleet. They have recieved far too much recognition, and payment for something they never actually owned.

I think that this is your best post! Well said.

You are somewhat estranged and it feels like you are not a good fit in your own country, whereas if you softened your stance and became a little more proactive about helping people assimilate you would have a much better picture.

I'm lucky to live in an affluent suburb next to the Melbourne CBD and I work in the CBD so I see the melting pot on a level playing field. I see people integrate and show pride in our home. If I travel to some suburbs and especially if I lived in frustrating or even dangerous circumstances it would be easy to have negative beliefs based on many unwanted stereotypes, but as it stands I see the good side of multiculturalism.

That being said, I have friends who have lived here all their lives and they stick with their own kind. They always argue that Australia has no culture and that only Aboriginals can be Australian. (Ironically these are the last people to ever lift a finger for the aboriginal). I find that the people who see fit to exclude themselves - be they from some part of Africa, Punjab, Lebanon, Jewish, Freemasons, are very racist / classist you know... Race is on their mind and the simpletons amongst them play the race card, while the apologists take an anti-white stance regardless of the issue and opposed racists jump at the chance to be part of the ugly drama.

People, just try to be even minded about the realities.
There are Aussies who chose to move here who are better than any aboriginal.
There are plenty of Africans who are loving the way they feel included in a place they can call home, which is safe and will support their children's children and on.. for a very long time.
There is a culture which the British created. You can see it in the law and order, the fine buildings and lack of corruption. The wealth that people come to Australia to enjoy was created by Australia's inhabitants before them. They should respect this. It is exactly what they came to Australia for.

The problem is that minorities can have nasty group identities and lie to themselves. They invent reasons why Australia belongs to them equally while they reap the benefits but undermine the value with their poison.

Be careful not to hate. Take each person as they come. Don't suffer fools. This is how our culture was created and why we will keep going from strength to strength. You don't have to be Anglo to understand. You just need to be given a chance.

I know Melbourne is a melting pot, and I know that it is probably the best area in Australia for minorities to feel Australian.
I come from up north, in Brisbane I'm not seeing the same thing. We are a hot capital and sometimes the heat gets to peoples heads.

reply to post by Jace26


I see what you're saying. If I can base my interpretation from the depth of derision on You tube vid's, places like Broadmeadows in Melbourne are pretty bad. I see hate on the faces of some Arabs if I find myself on a train near these places. Then again I see even worse behavior on other train lines. Some of our outer-suburbs are not much like the brochures.

It seems to me to be more about troubled youth and people with too much time, people on welfare, and those of us who believe in things that are flat-out not true. It all goes hand in hand.

I'm 40 now. I used to have different feelings when I was younger and I think I see where where you are coming from.

One thing omitted is that Melbourne has no trouble with aboriginals.
They have their 'spots' where they come to to get drunk and antagonize everybody any anybody, (white abbo's being the worst - even shocking their elders). They come to the same place from all over Australia. It could be a toilet block, but they'll still come to the same spot for ever.

I can think of three area's that they have always been, for 30+ years. I find that quirky but I digress. QLD is much different in that respect. The abbo's making a scene here aren't unfriendly or very dangerous - just harsh. If you want to be friendly to them, they are going to be nice to you.

They treat white Australians much differently to everybody else. Obviously organized 'type' people hate them, like white Asians. Of course I don't mean to create racial stereotypes, but we are talking about issues where race is important, and not to be ignored for fake PC values.

Abbo's are the least PC of all people on the whole damn planet. Suck it up - you "Aussies are all racist. Your country belongs to Aboriginals" people. The aboriginals are your worst enemy. PC people are only tolerated by aboriginals because they have it all over you, and you willingly do their bidding. If you ever hope to conform Abbo's in PC culture Hahahahahaha - got a spare, say 100,000 years?

Originally posted by squandered
reply to post by Jace26

 

I see what you're saying. If I can base my interpretation from the depth of derision on You tube vid's, places like Broadmeadows in Melbourne are pretty bad. I see hate on the faces of some Arabs if I find myself on a train near these places. Then again I see even worse behavior on other train lines. Some of our outer-suburbs are not much like the brochures.

It seems to me to be more about troubled youth and people with too much time, people on welfare, and those of us who believe in things that are flat-out not true. It all goes hand in hand.

I'm 40 now. I used to have different feelings when I was younger and I think I see where where you are coming from.

One thing omitted is that Melbourne has no trouble with aboriginals.
They have their 'spots' where they come to to get drunk and antagonize everybody any anybody, (white abbo's being the worst - even shocking their elders). They come to the same place from all over Australia. It could be a toilet block, but they'll still come to the same spot for ever.

I can think of three area's that they have always been, for 30+ years. I find that quirky but I digress. QLD is much different in that respect. The abbo's making a scene here aren't unfriendly or very dangerous - just harsh. If you want to be friendly to them, they are going to be nice to you.

They treat white Australians much differently to everybody else. Obviously organized 'type' people hate them, like white Asians. Of course I don't mean to create racial stereotypes, but we are talking about issues where race is important, and not to be ignored for fake PC values.

Abbo's are the least PC of all people on the whole damn planet. Suck it up - you "Aussies are all racist. Your country belongs to Aboriginals" people. The aboriginals are your worst enemy. PC people are only tolerated by aboriginals because they have it all over you, and you willingly do their bidding. If you ever hope to conform Abbo's in PC culture Hahahahahaha - got a spare, say 100,000 years?

I haven't met too many Arabs from where I live, but some of the muslims I have met aren't bad at all. I don't understand what you mean when you say Aborigines treat white people differently? In what way good or bad?
Also I have met several Aborigines in Brisbane and they were incredibly nice to talk to, but I found they didn't like the Islanders very much at all.
Nevertheless, I think we might be going a little too far off topic. Lets just try to stick with integration.

reply to post by Jace26

I haven't met too many Arabs from where I live, but some of the muslims I have met aren't bad at all. I don't understand what you mean when you say Aborigines treat white people differently? In what way good or bad? Also I have met several Aborigines in Brisbane and they were incredibly nice to talk to, but I found they didn't like the Islanders very much at all. Nevertheless, I think we might be going a little too far off topic. Lets just try to stick with integration.

We are getting off-topic but I think that it's interesting. One of my best mates is from Ethiopia. Are you an Aussie, is a question that he would avoid, but he it is great for the African community being proud of his heritage, but well presented, even tempered and basically respectable. Anyhow, he also shares the notorious womanizing trait and aboriginal women love him because he is black. Well, they see him and behave in a very loose fashion, and then they see me and become ultra-polite, but fake in a UK way, like they were taught by missionaries, way back when.. It's not a good thing at all.

I have a feeling that aboriginals have unfettered ego's and as such see more synergy in life. You get a few bad ones and when you have had enough you meet one that is so nice he / she makes up for all the others.

Arabs.. we have some bad Muslims of the extremist type, the Christian Arabs are ashamed of them. They don't get along even if they have a shared community. It's just the media. Before Muslims became a kind of enemy, I met a lot of them and they made the religion look good. On the same note, when blacks started coming here they couldn't be nicer. Sure they caused trouble, but as one white guy in a club full of Africans, I was treated like a guest with guys coming up to me telling me how happy they are to live in a safe place. I see lots of nice, friendly, Africans in Melbourne. At this point in our development they seem to be a good fit and in contrast to what you have said about them following the American gang culture, they dress well and come from strict families.

Oh, and with aboriginals being the accepted example of how not to behave, blacks don't have the same problems as with being called 'n-word's like in Europe or America. It's like being a 'drunk' and going to Russia. You will come off looking sober compared to the worst examples they have. (Sorry Aboriginalia but you had it coming)

African's integrating well! Why? Because they've heard about all the negative stereotypes attributed to them and are grateful to be in a place without such stereotypes. They know that they have an open slate to be who they want. They get a lot of help through community outreach, but they are ready to make use of these positive things. Some are racist but I like to think in an Australian way, that is, they have lots of optional opinions which change often.

reply to post by squandered


I respectfully disagree on your comment about Aborigines acting ''fake-friendly'', it might be different in Melbourne but in Brisbane I haven't been treated any differently by how they might treat another Aboriginal. And like I previously said, most of all of them were nice and took jokes easily. I even had an Aboriginal for my teacher in high school and he was probably the best teacher out of the whole school.

I understand what you mean about the Africans, yes they are thankfull for being in a safe country that provides opportunities that they could never of dreamed of. BUT, as the new generations are born they won't feel as thankful, and so on and they will begin searching for their own identity. Which is what happened to the Lebanese, they imitated American gang culture, and I am almost certain the same will happen with the newer generations.

reply to post by Jace26


alot of convicts were shipped over there from portsmouth england where i live .

the first european colony to australia.launched from my city which is the only island city in the uk 1787 i think they set sail

Originally posted by denver22
reply to post by Jace26

 

alot of convicts were shipped over there from portsmouth england where i live .

Okay cool I guess, it would be nice if you quoted me so I could reply to you properly.

Sydney was founded in 1788 when the first fleet arrived in australia from england.On 13 of may 1787 a fleet of 11 ships set sail from portsmouth england,on board were 759 convicts but most of them were marines to guard the prisoners etc. They took with them livestock as well.the first colonists came ashore at port jackson.on 26 january 1788 they were commanded by captain arthur phillips.After the first fleet arrived the conflict began with the locals .and soon succumbed to small pox.william bligh was the first governer famous for the mutiny on the bounty pretty soon the population of settlers grew to 1 and a half million or so.just a bit of wot i know if it helps.

Originally posted by denver22
Sydney was founded in 1788 when the first fleet arrived in australia from england.On 13 of may 1787 a fleet of 11 ships set sail from portsmouth england,on board were 759 convicts but most of them were marines to guard the prisoners etc. They took with them livestock as well.the first colonists came ashore at port jackson.on 26 january 1788 they were commanded by captain arthur phillips.After the first fleet arrived the conflict began with the locals .and soon succumbed to small pox.william bligh was the first governer famous for the mutiny on the bounty by the 1970s the population of settlers grew to 1 and a half million or so.just a bit of wot i know if it helps.

Okay well thats nice to see someone knows their history, but by the 1970s our population was not 1 and a half million. We already had 7 million by 1939.

Originally posted by Jace26
reply to post by Nick_X

 

Ok thats interesting, but how can you look Asian? You either Asian or not, right?

I can look Asian and be Australian yea =)

reply to post by Jace26


sorry pal a bit tired and i have corrected it it should of read the population soon exeeded 1 and a half million.my mistake my friend .jeez im tired .

Originally posted by Nick_X

Originally posted by Jace26
reply to post by Nick_X

 

Ok thats interesting, but how can you look Asian? You either Asian or not, right?

I can look Asian and be Australian yea =)

Well good for you.

Originally posted by denver22
reply to post by Jace26

 

sorry pal a bit tired and i have corrected it it should of read the population soon exeeded 1 and a half million.my mistake my friend .jeez im tired .

Thats fine, I'm just glad some people on here know there history. Probably should go to sleep maybe.

reply to post by Jace26


you got a point but also he could have one parent of a different nationality and therefore look asian but could be half etc only saying my freind

Question for australians:

Do you see your national identity growing stronger or weaker as time goes on?

reply to post by Jace26


We slaughtered their culture, their beliefs, their values, we introduced them to alcohol, to all the bad habits that they knew nothing of. We, basically, were the serpent in the garden of eden.

We may not have killed that large of a number only because they were tribal and lived sparsely. Doesn't mean the land wasn't theirs. They were great spiritual people in tune with the earth. Now only a few reflect what they once were.

You can live in denial all you like. My whole family is racist against anything other than white
(anglo-saxon) australians and my mothers Nissan 300zx was stolen by a gang of Aboriginal youths....but I don't care.

This is our karma. All these immigrants, and the discourse it brings to the 'settled' people of Australia, are now reaping what the English once sowed for us.

I am an Australian who was born in the UK and moved here in the early 90s.
There has been a huge influx in Sudanese, Indian and asian residents, all of which i welcome because multiculturalism is a good thing.
I have never had any problems with Africans, asians or indians for that matter.
The Problem is this:
1. Australians in general have always had a very old and dated opinion on foreigners coming here and a lot of them carry racist undertones because they feel that the Australian culture or way of life will be threatned. But the fact is Australian identity is made up of ideals that are not all unique to this country because Australia has a bit of an identity crisis and has struggeled to define itself since British colonisation.

2. We let our government walk all over us in Australia.

Surely if the Australian Government was serious about proper integration, then they would explain and educate us as to why we have had a huge influx in Sudanese and Indians and about the problems that some have had in their home country instead of remaining silent. I think part of the problem is that most Australians have seen all of them come here overnight without knowing what is going on!

I welcome all these different cultures into this great country because it makes things so much more interesting and vibrant and diversity is exactly what this country needs.

What i don't like about it is that the government needs to address the infastructure as the influx of immigrants has strectched our Transport Systems, Housing Market ( especially rental ) and more jobs need to be created.
I know for a fact that this is what a lot of Australians have a problem with.

Please dont blame the immigrants. BLAME THE GOVERNMENT for lack of communication and make them accountable for expanding our Infarstructure.

I hope that made some sort of sense and sorry for the spelling.




On another point, i fear Aboriginal Culture will be in jepordy in the near future. I dont think anyone has ever stopped to think about what impact that the immigration boom will have an Indiginous people and the culture in the near future. I have, and i would like others to really think about it.