Aussies
'love other cultures, and fear them'
Muslim girls wearing hijabs with the Australian flag
on them walk in Melbourne (AAP)
A survey finds Australians believe cultural diversity is good but are
worried that differences will stop everyone from getting along.
Australians are in two minds about multiculturalism, a long-term survey
has found.
They believe cultural diversity is good for the country but they're worried that cultural differences will stop everyone from getting along.
An 11-year study by a collaboration of Australian universities has found 85 per cent of Australians acknowledge racial prejudice occurs in the nation, and one in five has been a victim of racist verbal abuse.
Some 'against' multiculturalism
The study found that 6.5 per cent of the 16,000 Australians surveyed were against multiculturalism.
Professor Kevin Dunn, from the University of Western Sydney's school of social science, said the study revealed that the majority of Australians are pro-multiculturalism but are anxious that the diversity will not be managed well.
"Over 40 per cent of those surveyed feel that cultural differences pose a threat to societal harmony," he told AAP.
Suspicious of pluralism
"So if you take that alongside the 87 per cent that are pro-multiculturalism, clearly you've got a third of the nation that tolerate cultural diversity but are concerned at the impact it will have on society.
"The Cronulla riots and the recent attacks on people of Indian descent are an example of this.
"The figures show that 85 per cent of Australia acknowledge there is racial prejudice in the country."
Dunn believes previous governments have done nothing to address the issue for the past decade, with Aboriginal and
Torres Strait Islander Social Justice Commissioner Tom Calma spending only part of his time dealing with race discrimination.
"For the last decade, the government hasn't appointed a full-time Race Discrimination Commissioner," Prof Dunn said.
"Because of the severe underfunding of the commission, they're just unable to offer the sorts of services required.
"Take the issue of the Indian students recently.
Offensive slang reported
"There's no way that the commission is resourced enough to deal with their (the Indians') reports (of violent attacks on them), and to offer support and advice," he said.
The survey also found that at least one in five Australians experience verbal abuse such as offensive slang names for different cultural groups, or swearing and offensive gestures, while 11 per cent feel they don't belong or are inferior.
The study is part of the 'Challenging Racism Project' that includes researchers from the University of Western Sydney, Macquarie University, Murdoch University, University of Melbourne, University of South Australia and Victoria University.
They believe cultural diversity is good for the country but they're worried that cultural differences will stop everyone from getting along.
An 11-year study by a collaboration of Australian universities has found 85 per cent of Australians acknowledge racial prejudice occurs in the nation, and one in five has been a victim of racist verbal abuse.
Some 'against' multiculturalism
The study found that 6.5 per cent of the 16,000 Australians surveyed were against multiculturalism.
Professor Kevin Dunn, from the University of Western Sydney's school of social science, said the study revealed that the majority of Australians are pro-multiculturalism but are anxious that the diversity will not be managed well.
"Over 40 per cent of those surveyed feel that cultural differences pose a threat to societal harmony," he told AAP.
Suspicious of pluralism
"So if you take that alongside the 87 per cent that are pro-multiculturalism, clearly you've got a third of the nation that tolerate cultural diversity but are concerned at the impact it will have on society.
"The Cronulla riots and the recent attacks on people of Indian descent are an example of this.
"The figures show that 85 per cent of Australia acknowledge there is racial prejudice in the country."
Dunn believes previous governments have done nothing to address the issue for the past decade, with Aboriginal and
Torres Strait Islander Social Justice Commissioner Tom Calma spending only part of his time dealing with race discrimination.
"For the last decade, the government hasn't appointed a full-time Race Discrimination Commissioner," Prof Dunn said.
"Because of the severe underfunding of the commission, they're just unable to offer the sorts of services required.
"Take the issue of the Indian students recently.
Offensive slang reported
"There's no way that the commission is resourced enough to deal with their (the Indians') reports (of violent attacks on them), and to offer support and advice," he said.
The survey also found that at least one in five Australians experience verbal abuse such as offensive slang names for different cultural groups, or swearing and offensive gestures, while 11 per cent feel they don't belong or are inferior.
The study is part of the 'Challenging Racism Project' that includes researchers from the University of Western Sydney, Macquarie University, Murdoch University, University of Melbourne, University of South Australia and Victoria University.
Harmony Day is celebrated each year on March 21 and is
a special day when Australians are encouraged to celebrate the cultural
diversity of our country.
Harmony Day is a day for all Australians to embrace
the many things that make Australia unique and to share what we have in common.
The central message for Harmony Day is that everyone
belongsand thousands of events are being staged in communities around the
country. It's about community participation, inclusiveness, respect and a sense
of belonging for everyone – celebrating the cultures that make Australia a
great place to live.
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