Acceptance is ...

Following World War II, and for some time thereafter, it was the migrants from Europe that bore the brunt of our intolerance. Then, in the 1980s and 1990s, it was the influx of Asian migration that was met with some resistance (think Pauline Hanson and the rise of One Nation). And now, in the new millennium, it is those of Middle Eastern and Islamic extraction who have been said to pose a threat to the Australian way of life. No doubt the Asian community is breathing a heavy sigh of relief (hoping that their time has passed): and the African community now feeling rather uneasy about their place (or lack thereof) in multicultural Australia.

Don’t think so?

Andrew Fraser, a professor in the Department of Public Law at Macquarie University, recently spoke of the dangers associated with the increased settlement of Sudanese refugees in his local area. He wrote, “Experience practically everywhere in the world tells us that an expanding black population is a sure-fire recipe for increases in crime, violence and a wide range of other social problems”. Channel 9’s 'A Current Affair' subsequently ran a story on Fraser’s remarks. Disturbingly, a phone poll (which had 35,000 callers) conducted by the program showed 85 per cent of the audience agreed with Professor Fraser's controversial stand.

Contrary to claims by some, this is not just an Anglo-Celtic versus-the-rest problem. Australia is truly a multicultural society. According to the 2001 Census, 23 per cent of Australians were born overseas. An additional 20 per cent had at least one parent born overseas. Between us, we speak about 200 languages and practice a wide variety of religions. If Australia is, as has been suggested, a racist nation, then a significant amount of people pledging an allegiance to racist causes may be from NESB backgrounds themselves. Indeed, in the 2001 elections, Australians of all cultures and faiths supported a government that made its policies in respect of refugees decidedly clear.

We like to think of ourselves as a “tolerant” nation. Semantically, at least, this may be apt. As Andrew Stevenson has pointed out, there is no warm embrace in tolerance, no equality, no welcome and, indeed, no acceptance. The word comes from Latin tolerare, meaning "to bear" or "endure". The word is imbued with the sense of putting up with pain and trouble. In its purest form, it is a form of social interaction predicated on domination, whereby one group merely “tolerates” the other.

Acceptance on the other hand is more of a two-way street. It’s a deal in which both sides strike a bargain, acknowledging the conditions and norms of the other, rather than the take-it-or-leave it approach of tolerance. As Stevenson argues, acceptance is underpinned by a respect and equality in which, “we all have our failings, our quirks and our petty prejudices”, that need to be put on the table so we can move forward.

Acceptance is the sometimes elusive dynamic or moment that emerges when Cathy Freeman wins the 400 metre final at the Sydney Olympics; when Australians of all colours and creeds cheer the Socceroos during a penalty shoot-out; it’s that moment when we lobby together to prevent a 25-year-old young man from being executed; and it’s that moment when we can all go to Cronulla Beach as respectful, law-abiding citizens.

Acceptance is a higher ideal; a superior concept, and we as Australians ought to strive for it.