Are we deceived by multiculturalism?

This is not just the politicians’ fault. I implore my fellow Australian immigrants: let's grow up and stop playing the victim “card” all the time. Let's value the freedom and quality of life we enjoy in Australia. Let's become truly Australian and stop this nonsense of hiding behind “multiculturalism”.

One has to ask, why on earth are the countries which espouse Western democratic values bending over backwards to accommodate other cultures - to the point of losing their own identity - when some immigrants do not have any intention at all of assimilating into their new-found home or society?

This is not to say the sole cause of the riots rests with the immigrants. Non-immigrant Aussies have also acted unjustly. However, the weekend’s situation brings up the larger question: what is Australia? Is it the melting pot of different cultures or a homogeneous dish - where the flavours are different but the national psyche is the same?

I have met so many immigrants only comfortable within their own communities, making little effort to reach out to other people in their new home town. There are those I have met who have lived in Australia for 20-30 years and still can hardly speak a word of English, yet they are quick to say that Aussie's are racist. I salute the many immigrants who have become vitally integrated into their new homeland and call themselves Australian.

Let me give you a few examples I have seen:

1. I have met people whose applications for residency have been turned down because they have not met the needed requirements - and if they happen to be from Asia, Africa or the Middle East - they would say, "John Howard's Government is racist". Little would they realise that many applications for residency have been turned down for people from Western countries as well.
2. I was about to board an aircraft once when the announcement invited those sitting in the first 15 rows to board first. There was a man from Asia who queued, but the official discovered this man was not sitting in the first 15 rows and asked him to wait. He promptly responded to the official, "You are a racist! You let the white people go first". The official at the boarding gate was so shocked that he let him board.
   I felt so terrible I went up to the official and apologised on behalf of those who have my darker skin color. I believe this was an example of an inferiority complex that many migrants have that certainly needs to be sorted out.

Very often I hear the statement "racism", and many believe it to be white against black. I believe it is more common the other way around - but few will admit it, as too often people will instead cleverly play the victim card.

I believe Australia is one of the most racially tolerant countries in the world. Since my arrival in Australia I have never personally faced racism. I have heard from others that the comment "black bastard" has been spoken - which is not acceptable, but may we compare this situation with that of some of my fellow immigrants? A large number left their countries for a better life in Australia because of racial tensions they faced back home. The racial problems in Africa, Asia, the Middle East and Eastern Europe have caused tens of thousands to lose their lives or their belongings, have their homes burnt down, their businesses completely destroyed, and so on. So how dare we (immigrants) afford to grumble in Australia?

Now you might say, "What about what happened many years ago in Europe, the US and Australia?" Well the difference is, it happened MANY YEARS ago. Those governments now are determined not to let it happen again, but sadly it is not the case in other parts of the world. So let's face reality. The truth is that countries founded on the Judeo-Christian heritage (Western democracies) are the best to live in.

All people who have chosen to live in or have moved to Australia are Australians. It doesn't matter if one's ethnicity is Middle Eastern or Anglo-Saxon, there is only one definitive “Australian” and it incorporates people from all over the world.

I think the old Christian adage of “love your neighbour as yourself”, a concept which transcends religion and race, is needed more than ever. Let us all call Australia home.