4 August 2005
MULTICULTURALISM, ASSIMILATION AND TERRORISM
The fact that the recent terrorist bombings in London were perpetrated by young men raised in England rather than 'foreign' terrorists has led to a questioning of multiculturalism both in that country and in Australia.
Since 1972 Australia has officially adopted a policy of multiculturalism which is described as follows: -
Australia's multicultural policy promotes acceptance of and respect for our cultural diversity. It embraces our Australian-grown customs and the heritage of Indigenous Australians, early settlers, and the diverse range of migrants now coming to this country. It supports the right of each Australian to maintain and celebrate, within the law, their culture, language or religion.
The freedom of all Australians to express and share their cultural values is dependent on our abiding by mutual civic obligations. All Australians are expected to have an overriding loyalty to Australia and its people, and to respect the basic structures and principles underwriting our democratic society. These are the Constitution, parliamentary democracy, freedom of speech and religion, English as the national language, the rule of law, acceptance and equality.
Prior to 1972 Australia’s immigration policy was one of assimilation which aimed at forming national unity through the establishment of a single culture within Australia, with everyone living in the same way and sharing the same aspirations and customs. Immigrants (and indigenous Australians) were encouraged to discard their culture of origin and become 'like us'.
Whilst many would argue that the policy of multiculturalism has promoted harmony in our society others would argue that the current policy allows or even encourages extremist groups to flourish. As a result some commentators are urging an abandonment or at least a winding back of the present policy. In its more extreme cases the questioning of multiculturalism can lead to the expression of openly racist views such as those aired recently on national television by the Professor of Public Law at Sydney’s Macquarie University, Drew Fraser, who lamented the absence of white Australians when he shopped at suburban Parramatta. He said that he was confronted with "a polyglot mix of people who have nothing in common whatever, except the shopping experience." He went on to ask, "Do you want your Grandchildren to be part of an ethnic minority? Sub Saharan Africans have an average IQ of 70-75"
Although it is officially celebrated in March each year, perhaps some ideas and suggestions for action on the Living in Harmony website are particularly relevant at this time.
Since 1972 Australia has officially adopted a policy of multiculturalism which is described as follows: -
Australia's multicultural policy promotes acceptance of and respect for our cultural diversity. It embraces our Australian-grown customs and the heritage of Indigenous Australians, early settlers, and the diverse range of migrants now coming to this country. It supports the right of each Australian to maintain and celebrate, within the law, their culture, language or religion.
The freedom of all Australians to express and share their cultural values is dependent on our abiding by mutual civic obligations. All Australians are expected to have an overriding loyalty to Australia and its people, and to respect the basic structures and principles underwriting our democratic society. These are the Constitution, parliamentary democracy, freedom of speech and religion, English as the national language, the rule of law, acceptance and equality.
Prior to 1972 Australia’s immigration policy was one of assimilation which aimed at forming national unity through the establishment of a single culture within Australia, with everyone living in the same way and sharing the same aspirations and customs. Immigrants (and indigenous Australians) were encouraged to discard their culture of origin and become 'like us'.
Whilst many would argue that the policy of multiculturalism has promoted harmony in our society others would argue that the current policy allows or even encourages extremist groups to flourish. As a result some commentators are urging an abandonment or at least a winding back of the present policy. In its more extreme cases the questioning of multiculturalism can lead to the expression of openly racist views such as those aired recently on national television by the Professor of Public Law at Sydney’s Macquarie University, Drew Fraser, who lamented the absence of white Australians when he shopped at suburban Parramatta. He said that he was confronted with "a polyglot mix of people who have nothing in common whatever, except the shopping experience." He went on to ask, "Do you want your Grandchildren to be part of an ethnic minority? Sub Saharan Africans have an average IQ of 70-75"
Although it is officially celebrated in March each year, perhaps some ideas and suggestions for action on the Living in Harmony website are particularly relevant at this time.
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