At a party last night, a friend asked me what was going on in Australia with so many recent horrific attacks on Indians. What could I say? It’s not pleasant to think that there are such bad incidents of racism happening in my own country.
In recent years, Australia has become very multicultural with huge influxes of Indians, Chinese, Saudi Arabians, and other ethnic groups. To put it in perspective, according to current news reports, an estimated 430,000 international students arrive in Australia to study every year. Almost 100,000 of them are Indians. That’s quite a lot.
I’m pleased to say that on the whole, Australians are very accepting of other cultures. Personally, political correctness aside, I think that some immigrants could make more of an effort to learn to speak English and integrate themselves into the Australian way of life. I also feel extremely irritated when certain religious groups, such as Muslims, call for occasions such as Christmas to be turned into a nameless “festival” in Australia. However, I accept that these people have chosen to make their home in Australia, and I’m not going to go around harming them. Nor will most other Australians.
In fact, immigrants have contributed so much to Australia with their work ethic and culture. Food is a good example of this. So many Australians would be lost without their favourite Indian, Chinese, or Italian restaurants.
Obviously, not everyone feels the same way about multiculturalism in Australia though. Especially, not the young guys who are carrying out racist attacks on people from other countries. (I’m not going to say that the attacks have only been directed towards Indians because I’m sure that other nationalities, such as Vietnamese and Saudi Arabians, have also been on the receiving end of this awful behaviour).
So, what in particular has brought on such aggression towards other cultures and international students in Australia?
There seems to be a growing anxiety in Australia towards the changing nature of society. It’s only compounded by the poor state of the Australian economy at the moment.
Australian universities have been facing severe financial pressure as a result of cutbacks in government funding, and competition for places is high. Universities have started offering more and more places to high fee paying foreign students, to supplement their income.
The job market is also suffering in Australia. Many of my friends have lost their jobs this year, and after months of searching, still haven’t been able to find new ones. Unfortunately, there is a perception that Indians take jobs away from Australians. No doubt this has been driven by the outsourcing boom in India, as well as the fact that Indian students are often seen doing menial jobs (such as serving in shops and petrol pumps) at all hours in Australia. This causes uneducated working class Australian males, who have apprehension about their own futures, a lot of anxiety.
Then, there’s the attitudes of Australian students themselves. One report in the Times of India today claimed that Australian students have been spewing hate towards foreign students on university message boards. Complaints have included that “they only speak in their own language to each other”, “they’re snobs”, “they don’t understand English”, “they gather in huge groups and block common walking areas”, and “it’s difficult to work with them on group projects”.
In an interview that appeared in the Mumbai Mirror today, an Indian guy living in Sydney told of how he was spat on and called a “filthy Indian” by a bunch of 20 year olds. He also said he felt like he faced an everyday battle to be judged according to his personality and not his ethnicity.
However, despite this, he said he was happier in Australia than in India. He said that he’d rather deal with ignorant and sporadic acts of racism in Australia than corrupt politics, inter-caste/religion fighting, nepotism, and the government’s lack of foresight in planning and developing infrastructure in India.
I think his mention of “ignorant and sporadic acts of racism” pretty much sums up the situation. It’s all too easy for the media to sensationalise this issue.
Therefore, I was very disappointed to discover that my favourite Bollywood actor, the Big B (Amitabh Bachchan), has reversed his decision to accept an honourary doctorate offered to him by an Australian university. He came out with a gross generalisation, stating “… my conscience doesn’t permit me to accept this decoration from a country that perpetrates such indignity towards my fellow countrymen”.
“A country”? How can a few perpetrators be classed as “a country”? The Australian government is just as upset about the incidents as most Australians are.
And what about the ORGANISED indignities perpetrated towards his fellow countrymen by his fellow countrymen, right here in Mumbai? I’m referring to the behaviour of the Thackerays and their political parties. They are well known for frequently resorting to violence to drive Indian immigrants from other states, particularly Uttar Pradesh, out of the city. They resent them coming here to find work, and perceive them as taking jobs away from Maharastrans. Very little is done to curb the violent actions of these political parties.
Now, what if a political party and its followers in Australia went around, in an organised manner, bashing up immigrants to get rid of them?
Related Posts:
- Returning to Australia
- Violence in Australia Isn’t Only Towards Indians
- The Wisdom of Indian Politics
- Vindaloo Against Violence in Australia
- Republic Day in India
- Why I Dislike the Indian Media
- Civilised, Well Mannered Indians?
- Visiting My Old Home, Melbourne
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{ 32 comments… read them below or add one }
Excellent post, Sharell. You raise a lot of really valid points in a sensitive manner.
Those of us who have/still do live in alien cultures understand that it is a sweeping generalisation to brand a whole swathe of people as racist.
People who have never seen the reality of a truly multicultural society have no idea of what exactly goes on.
Retaliatory xenophobia is also a fantastic imagebuilding and political tool. Amitabh Bachchan has merely bowed to that image building god. I am sure more public figures will follow.
However the regular public that needs to make a living will continue to flock to countries that allow them to progress never mind the hysteria at home. They will live a reality that underlines exactly what you write.
I liked your post. It was even handed and presents a picture that I am familiar with.
Very balanced article..Its laughable for Amitabh making an issue out of this. Also I personally believe that Indians in general are more racist than most people here would admit. You should see the way Africans are treated in our airports vis-a-vis white folks etc… Plus overall Indian society places a premium on white skin and there is no doubt about this. I would tend to the opinion that Australia has a deifnite problem of law enforcement and too much tolerance to rowdy behaviour. Unlike in the US I think the Aussies generally take a very liberal attitude towards hooliganism and drunken revelry…its probably time to revisit law enforcement. As for charges of racism…Its still too unfair to brand Australia as a racist country.
Thank you for all the positive comments.
Sam, I certainly agree with you that Australia has a problem with hooliganism and law enforcement. I remember being so shocked a couple of years ago when I arrived home to newspapers full of stories about incidents involving drunken youths in nightclubs in Melbourne. There were a number of instances of security staff being beaten up, sometimes even killed. Hopefully the latest attacks will result in law enforcement authorities taking proper action.
Ugh. Is Pauline Hanson still in office? It’s weird, my ex is an Aussie, he’s very racist though he pretends he’s not by saying he hates everyone equally. Stupid me, i thought he was joking at first. Here in the US, the city people tend to be much more liberal and tolerant and the conservatives in the rural areas are usually behind the times regarding racism, etc. This is of course a generalization as there are always exceptions to every rule. But I’m wondering if these college students spewing hate in Australia aren’t from more conservative communities, transplanted to the cities for education? Hanging on to that kind of ignorance is quite common when moving to a place you’ve never been, especially when young.
Human nature is also against change, in general. The whole world is changing, faster and faster, with advances in technology. I think that this can tend to solidify people’s negative traits as they try to hang on to their familiar paradigms.
I see a lot of this kind of hatred spewed (online) by fundamentalist Christians against the growing atheist movement here in the US, the fundys vs. gay rights, etc. The old doesn’t willingly and quietly give way to the new, especially in people who are afraid and angry.
I guess Indians in Austrailia are being treated the way young, white women are being treated in Goa.
Fantastic blog Sharell! Being back in Melb it’s interesting to see how the situation has been reported back in India. Its 8am and the Indian students have just finished a 24-hour sit in at the crn of Flinders Street and Swanston Street. (Intersection of the CBD busiest area). It’s a really odd situation because there is a real tension and aggression around Melbourne and its been like that for the past year or so and its really unfortunate that its been targeted toward the International Indian students, buts as my mother said, this is an Australian habit!
When my parents migrated to Aust in the 60’s-70’s from Europe the same things were happening with “ wog bashings” and such, In the 70’s- 80’s its was targeted toward the eastern Asians “ nip bashings” (Vietnamese, Chinese etc) in the 90’s it was against the Middle Eastern Immigrants and now its against the south Asian. It’s a bitter cycle that is continuing in Australian history. For all our knowledge, understanding and multiculturalism was a re not immune to xenophobia!
Cant beat em’ that comment is ridicules! You cannot compare the situations. Neither should happen and it shouldn’t be seen as an eye for an eye!
The Big B is a wank! He wouldn’t accept anything that doesn’t financially or politicly benefit him. Ignorant and arrogant!
Incidents in oz land is sad really but it is us Indians who will come out as hypocrites
. If we point out an open fly they will come out and complain about our torn shirt. That being said hopefully this incident will blow over pretty soon but with the Indian media you can never be sure 
.
Dear Sharell
Engineering,management,computer science education in India is quite good and at par with the rest of the world. However there are very few seats in medical education(MBBS and BDS). So many of the Indian students go to Russia and other FSU(former soviet union) countries for medical education.
Amongst all the white foreigners Russians resemble us the most. Both Indians and Russians have arisen in the same socio-economic environment. We (Indians and Russians) have been facing the same problems like poverty,unemployment,corruption and western discrimination. Many of the westerners think that Russians are outcast whites.So they (Russians) understand the Indian perspective since they too have had lived with these problems since yonder years. Also Russia is like an elder brother to India and India’s oldest strategic ally. Indians mostly face racism in the countries of North America, Western Europe,Australia. It is unfortunate that many of the people in North America,Western Europe and Australia take pride in their imperialist past and treat people from Asia,Africa and Latin America as sub-humans.
Indian students should refrain from going to western countries where they are treated like second class citizens.
Right to equality is never gifted it has to be fought for. Indians settled in Australia should form their own political organisation for the promotion and protection of their rights and dignity.
Shaunak 2 things in regards to your comment:
1- As expat who generally resides in India and who is also Australian, are you saying that in order for me to gain respect in my adopted land, I should seek out only other expats or Aussies and create our own political party so we can have respect and not be treated differently because of our skin colour or nationality? We would hardly be taken seriously in India and to me that just goes against what Australia is about. Australia is a land where people are accepted and supported and embraced because of there background. Once you come to live in Australia mate, you’re an Aussie. It is really sad that his sort of racist activity is happening in Australia but its not new to out county, but then again India is not adverse to its own internal racial discrimination.
2- Its crazy to say that only former soviet states accept Indian. It’s also untrue. That comment only ostracise you and your county men form the rest of the world. If you really believe that then it’s very sad. Indian and the Indian culture are embraced and accepted world wide, this blog I perfect example of that.
Haha, Just want to make a correction on my last comment:
‘ Once you come to live in Australia mate, you’re an Aussie’ what Im saing is that you are accepted in Australia no matter where you come from.
Dear Sharell,
Please don’t get offended by my comment. If by any chance I have hurt you I am extremely sorry. I would like to tell you the main reasons why I like Russia.
1) India and Russia have shared very warm ties for over 5 decades and continue to do so.
2) There is a keen interest to know more about India, its culture, its ancient history, and its exotic locations.
3) Indian films have always occupied a special place in the hearts of the Russian people
4) Since the days of independence(1947) Russia has been India’s oldest strategic partner and ally. About 75% of the Defence equipment and military equipment that the Indian armed forces use comes from Russia.
During the cold war era Soviet Russia was like an elder brother to India.
It helped India in it’s conflicts with Pakistan and China. Russia has also played an important role in India’s space research program. Rakesh Sharma the first Indian to go to space went on board a Russian Soyuz rocket. There are currently 2 Russian made Nuclear reactors installed at Tarapur power station with an assured life time supply of nuclear fuel.
India and Russia are currently working together on several defence and space research projects. The former president of Russia Vladimir Putin
on 26 January 2007 said that he is India’s greatest friend ever. Former Soviet presidents Nikita Khrushchev and Leonid Brezhnev have also been India’s great friends.
5) Indians and Russians come from the same racial stock of Indo-Europeans. Many of the words in Sanskrit and Russian have the same origin.
6) Perhaps the biggest advantage of going to Russia is that there are many eligible unmarried women in the country. Russia has been facing the problem of gender imbalance since World War 2. There are more number of females in Russia than males. Recent statistical surveys have shown that there are 10 million more females than males in Russia alone of which 2 million are of marriageable age. Many of the Indian students who go to Russia for higher education come back home with a Russian bride. Russian women are family oriented and many of the social and cultural standards of Russian women are not very different from those of their Indian sisters. Russian women feel more emotionally close to an Indian husband. The statements of Maria Arbatova are a testimony to the above fact. Maria Arbatova is a famous Russian feminist,author and TV anchor who is married to an Indian businessman “Sumeet”. She has recently written a book titled “Tasting India”.
No other country is as close to India in character than Russia. There may be occasional sporadic incidences of violence against Indians in Russia but unlike the West there have been no incidences of organised racial hate crimes against Indians in Russia. Moscow currently has a 60000 strong Indian community. Hinduism is a fast growing religion in Russia and many white slavic Russians have converted to Hinduism.
Note:”Slavs” are a white caucasian race from eastern europe just like the
“Anglo-Saxons” of western europe.
Was it native Australian citizens that did this to Indians, or other ex-pats?
Firstly, Indian students who could not find admissions here in India go to Australia. This is a fact though of course if you put it like that to their families here in India they’ll defend their wards’ aspiration for ‘foreign education’. That is BS. In order of aspiration, the most coveted places to study are IIT/AIIMS, NITs, Good universities in Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata and Chennai. Then come Universities in UK and the US. Australia is for ‘noveau rich’ who are low on brains and high on cash. I made this point to say that these Indian students could easily afford to go somewhere else.
YOU WROTE:
“an Indian guy living in Sydney told of how he was spat on and called a “filthy Indian” by a bunch of 20 year olds. He also said he felt like he faced an everyday battle to be judged according to his personality and not his ethnicity.
However, despite this, he said he was happier in Australia than in India. He said that he’d rather deal with ignorant and sporadic acts of racism in Australia than corrupt politics, inter-caste/religion fighting, nepotism”
that is very hard to believe. In other words, you are saying that Chinese would much rather be called a ‘chink’ or some other slur than go and live in peace in his/her village. 20 yrs ago, yes, something like this could happen because of unequal distribution of wealth but not now…
Lastly, I’d like to point out that the ‘white nations’ of this world have a tacit agreement with each other – when US gets into war with Iraq, Australia gets involved too by sending aid and forces. I think north Indians have a simplistic thinking in that they prefer to encompass truth rather than convenience and it is just a matter of time when we’ll find out what is a better philosophy.
Some attacks were by people of Lebanese origin as well. There might be a few attacks which had racial elements in it but clearly the statistics and situation on ground for every attack can only be known to the Australian Police. Hopefully they will look at every angle and come out with some kind of report regarding the attacks.
Firstly, Indian students who could not find admissions here in India go to Australia. This is a fact though of course if you put it like that to their families here in India they’ll defend their wards’ aspiration for ‘foreign education’. That is BS. In order of aspiration, the most coveted places to study are IIT/AIIMS, NITs, Good universities in Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata and Chennai. Then come Universities in UK and the US. Australia is for ‘noveau rich’ who are low on brains and high on cash. I made this point to say that these Indian students could easily afford to go somewhere else.
YOU WROTE:
“an Indian guy living in Sydney told of how he was spat on and called a “filthy Indian” by a bunch of 20 year olds. He also said he felt like he faced an everyday battle to be judged according to his personality and not his ethnicity.
However, despite this, he said he was happier in Australia than in India. He said that he’d rather deal with ignorant and sporadic acts of racism in Australia than corrupt politics, inter-caste/religion fighting, nepotism”
that is very hard to believe. In other words, you are saying that Chinese would much rather be called a ‘chink’ or some other slur than go and live in peace in his/her village. 20 yrs ago, yes, something like this could happen because of unequal distribution of wealth but not now…
Lastly, I’d like to point out that the ‘white nations’ of this world have a tacit agreement with each other – when US gets into war with Iraq, Australia gets involved too by sending aid and forces. I think north Indians have a simplistic thinking in that they prefer to encompass truth rather than convenience and it is just a matter of time when we’ll find out what is a better philosophy.
I’m hearing that the attacks were by Africans (Somalis and Sudanese) and the police are not revealing who the attackers are because they don’t want to come off as “racist”.
But I think its interesting on most of the blogs that are writing about this, the attackers are presumed to be “white”.
Hmmmm………
Anyway, I don’t know for sure who they are. But time will tell.
Total OWNAGE!!!!
You should have emphasized on the color based caste-system. Historically, Hindu India was far more extreme when it came to racism than south Africa under Apartheid or the Confederate states of America under Biblical slavery.
I hope the following comment would be given the western treatment: You might disagree with my views (or definitely my rhetoric) but will defend my right to say it.
Hahaha! I like to laugh my ass off reading funny racist stereotypes against white people, especially by this ignorant pseudo-intellectual nobody, Big B. There are terrorist groups in West Bengal which kill migrants from other states. There are caste clashes, religious clashes, and 880 million people living under less than $2 a day. There are kshatriyas who kill the Dalits with illegal firearms. Will Amitabh Bachchan ever give 90% of his wealth to them the same way Warren Buffet did? Had Big B ever read the articles of Somini Sengupta of the New York Times he would know there are far more things to worry about than to diss every Aussie. And what moronic university would give a honorary doctorate to this guy? Cut the hot air Bachchan! First pay your taxes.
As an Indian who spent a happy decade in Australia (with my family), and didnt really encounter any racism, i’m more saddened than angered by this spurt of hurting these innocent indian kids..
I’d have thought australians on the whole are more “decent” and “kind” and “broadminded” and to see an increasing minority being so violent is more depressing than anything else..
A lot of those arracks on Indians were carried out by lebanese youths and not White Australians as it comes out now. this is something people do not speak about, non-white hatred and racism towards other non-Whites (and even Whites.)
Here’s an interesting post on the issue from Tamara, an Indian who’s now living in Melbourne.
She writes:
“If there is anyone to blame, it’s the government and the universities, for looking at foreign students as nothing more than income, and completely ignoring the fact that many of these students don’t identify with their value system, and simply, don’t have the skills to thrive in this society…..I spend much of my time on public transport cringing at my countrymen. Unfortunately, they attract plenty of negative attention. And while this should certainly not lead to violent attacks, their differences will definitely make ordinary, day-to-day tasks difficult, to say the least. Whose fault is this? The Australian government’s – for not realizing that you can’t cram thousands of ill-prepared foreigners into a country and not have to deal with repercussions a few years later.”
http://fromunderthedoona.wordpress.com/2009/06/07/more-of-the-same/
Nice, post. There’s groups on Facebook that say ‘No more Asians, Australia is full’ etc.I wish to ask those racist bigots involved in these attacks why they are not opposed to immigration from Europe. Isn’t Australia a country founded by British immigrants, on a land that did not belong to them? And your ex-Prime Minister, John Howard came across as overtly racist in his views on multiculturalism and aboriginal titles to land. Calling Australia a ‘Christian’ country, is tantamount to ignoring the cultural values of Native Australians.
That said, yes, immigrants must try and integrate with mainstream society, and I think its idiotic for some Muslims there have such extreme views.
I dont mean to denigrate Aussies. I have bumped into a few and played cricket with them here in Florida. They’re a bunch of really nice blokes. But, it’s hard to keep mum when you see your countrymen get bashed up
Hi Deepak and welcome. Of course you have some really good points. I think Australia is really struggling with its multiculturalism. It’s reaching a point where there are so many different nationalities there, people are clashing. Like V commented, Australia has definitely gone through a negative phase with Europeans — for example Italians and Greeks. Now the focus is on Indians, I guess because there are so many of them coming into the country. The average Australian is very horrified and embarrassed by what is happening, I know my mum certainly is.
“sporadic acts of racism”? Really? Lets talk about Euro Australian attitudes, actions towards Aboriginals.
Many Indian students are fee paying at private colleges which have sprung up. Fees are high, quality questionable and many doing courses such as community development, welfare etc, have no interest at all in a career in that field, but because of immigration issues, it is an easier path to immigration. they have to do placements in welfare agencies and many have no interest or ability, and openly plan their future business or work in something else after they have “done their time” this breeds resentment as students fight for placements in agencies. Many have to work night jobs, cab driving etc, to pay the high fees and travel solo, sporting Ipods, computers etc, which are a target for gangs and thieves from any nationality. Most aussies don’t travel alone at night on public transport so they become an easy target…what ever their race.
I can’t decide whether the allegations about racist attacks in Australia are true or are an exaggeration of routine violence that could be anywhere. Just because a couple of Indians faced some gang brutality in Australia doesn’t mean they are targets of racist attacks. It is very difficult to believe every allegation that the Indian media houses come out with these days.
Having said that, I find it rather tasteless of your friend to accost you about racism in Australia just because you happened to be an Australian. (No offence meant.)
Hi Abdullah, I’ve chatted with a number of Indians living in Australia who read my blog, and they’ve told me that the reports of the attacks have been grossly exaggerated by the media. They’ve experienced no problems in Australia what so ever. They also said that like in any country, it greatly depends on the area you’re in and what time of night it is. Their thoughts are if they dress well, act well, and stay away from the dangerous areas (where gangs of various nationalities hang out) they’ll be safe. I’d tend to agree with them.
Sometimes Indians, especially those from North are too quick to use the ‘racist’ label for what is often their own fault.
I recall an incident a couple of years back, where two Delhi tourists in a Scorpio tried to gatecrash into one of the gigs I hosted at my place in Goa. Since their names were not on the guest invite list and they didn’t sound the ‘rocker’ types, I politely told them that this party wasn’t for them and also referred them to a pub which is nearby and better suited for them. Then this Jat guy who is clearly very drunk, starts to threaten me with his ‘connections’ in Delhi and how he could bring my place down with the ’snap of a finger’ (if I didn’t let him in). Having faced similar tantrums before, I asked my guards to stand their ground. Eventually, these guys left.
A few days later, I get a link from my friends about an ‘editorial’ from some Delhi newspaper that made far-fetched claims of racism against Indians at my place. One of the journalists also wrote an elaborate ‘biography’ of me, ‘tracing my roots’ to the Russian mafia and making up sensational stories about how I was influental in setting up the drugs and prostitution base in Goa. Thanks to the lack of anti-defamy laws in India against such bad journalism, these people survived.
Seeing that some people are not averse to using the unwarranted ‘racist’ label on fellow Indians, it is no surprise that we hear about racism against Indians in Australia. For all I know, the said ‘victims’ could have provoked the attacks on themselves with their cultural apathy and rude behaviour.
Very interesting tale, Abdullah. It’s amazing (and not in a good way) what goes on behind the scenes.
Exactly. News media houses these days are laissez faire enterprises, whose sole purpose is to rake in the profits, at the cost of sensationalism and false reporting. The lack of accountability helps them too.
http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2009/10/30/2729315.htm
Here is an incident where an Irish man died after being brutally assaulted in Sydney. The news article also mentions that a similar incident happened against another Irish a year later. I guess if it was a brown man instead of a [white] Irish, we’d have been hearing sensational charges of “Australian racism”.
That’s exactly why this is one of my favourite quotes: “I find television very educational. Every time someone turns it on, I go in the other room and read a book” — Groucho Marx.
The media reminds me a lot of statistics actually. Both often get construed in favour of what ever the desired outcome is.