Cultural blindness

Lately there has been a lot of talk about the existence of racism in this country, whether actual or perceived. Isn't all racism or prejudice born of ignorance? Where is our thirst for understanding of our history of the people of our land? Are the messages of Kevin Gilbert or Kath Walker or Mona Matilda Clare still falling on deaf ears today?

Perhaps it's because Australia is vast, its population comparatively small and its natural resources and wealth still available that we haven't yet had to test our cultural tolerance and social cohesion.

Perhaps there is "selective racism" in the sense that we are tolerant when the person or situation serves our own ends - 457 visas and foreign mining companies come to mind - but when it or they threaten our own (white Australian) opportunities like jobs or university placements, then racial comments get bandied about.

But is it correct to label that racism? Does that kind of response actually reflect an inherent feeling that the white Australian is intrinsically superior to members of another race, or does it really happen because we feel inferior (or ordinary) when compared to people with a culturally rich heritage who are willing to work hard, to learn and to listen.

Whichever way we look at it, our ongoing denial of the parlous state of so many Indigenous Australians, and our refusal to make a concerted effort to rectify it, is a shameful demonstration of the failure of our white Australian culture. Not of theirs.

Similarly, the conveniently whipped up fears about genuine asylum seekers arriving by boat is a reflection on us, on the political opportunism of our leaders and of the stupidity and ignorance of we who make up the gullible herd. Not on them.

Does true multiculturalism, with its fundamental tenet of common humanity, truly permeate all Australian homes and Australian parliaments? Not yet. And unfortunately I fear it may be some way off.

We are all visitors to this time, this place. We are just passing through. Our purpose here is to observe, to learn, to grow, to love ... and then we return home. Australian Aboriginal Proverb