Racism in Australia compared to US and Canada (university, income)

[Sonrise]

Originally Posted by Vichel

Then how do you explain less than 10% of Aboriginals in Oz are full-blood? Obviously a whole lotta mixin' goin' on.



Would be fine with me.

Cool. Thanks for you honesty, as usual of course. That's why Aussies are so cool, no false pretenses and refreshing candor and honesty. May God shield you from the scourge that is political correctness that is ruining this great nation and our neighbor to the north.

[Spindle]

Originally Posted by Sonrise

No we didn't, not in regards to immigration, and not as recent as 36 years ago. Answer me this as honestly as possible: can you ever imagine an aborigine Prime Minister? Honestly?

why do Americans always compare Australian Aboriginals to their black community? In terms of current social status and history, they are far more similar to the native american population. Furthermore, full and not full blooded Aboriginals constitute 2% of Australia's population, meaning even statistically, they would only achieve being PM every 50th. We are up to 26. We'll probably see an asian PM before an Aboriginal one due to the greater population of them.

Not that Australia doesn't have racial issues, but I've lived in both Australia and America and your race seems to be a far bigger issue in America than it does in Australia.

[minibrings]

Originally Posted by Sonrise

This is the key word. Had you been aborigine and your wife, white Australian...well, let's just say the reception wouldn't have been as warm. Australians are a pretty honest group, they'll tell you; it's virtually unheard of for a bi-racial couple where one spouse is aborigine and one white. Very, very rare and still socially unacceptable.

You were here for a month and you are an expert of how people in a country the size of US48 will react? Nice. Mixed race couples are rare because only 2% of the population is aboriginal, of that number, not many are pure. I have mates who are of mixed aboriginal/white/asian and have had no problems. I don't bat an eye when I have seen a mixed race couple, people don't drop everything and stare and gawk. Geez.

[Trimac20]

I think if anything if they saw a mixed race white/aboriginal couple they'd be more trusting of the aborigine. The fact is people are often wary around them because, here at least, the majority of contact with aborigines is overwhelmingly negative. Most of suburbs are almost all white: we just don't see them much in our day to day lives, unless you live in certain suburbs here, which tend to be the poorer suburbs. Most white folk from the burbs only see them up close in the city, where they hang out getting drunk, swearing and scaring locals and tourists, and sometimes making empty threats. They are dirty, smelly and uncouth; just like the white homeless people, whom people just denigrate as homeless people. On the news, you often hear about them wrecking homes, raping children, or abusing each other - seldom positive. Sadly it's not uncommon, but the way they're being portrayed isn't helping one bit. They won't be 'shamed' into improving themselves, as some may suggest. Many simply don't have the upbringing, skills or opportunity to 'make a life for themselves' because of a long legacy of discrimination and oppression. We have to give them a fair go despite our reservations, and they should be given whatever opportunities that requires.

[Spindle]

This is the key word. Had you been aborigine and your wife, white Australian...well, let's just say the reception wouldn't have been as warm. Australians are a pretty honest group, they'll tell you; it's virtually unheard of for a bi-racial couple where one spouse is aborigine and one white. Very, very rare and still socially unacceptable.

I honestly have no idea where you get that from. Take a look at Australia's most successful sports stars and look at who they're dating or married to and more often than not, it's a white person:

Cathy Freeman's husband:


Adam Goodes and his girlfriend for several years:

Gavin Wanganeen and his wife


and of course someone mentioned Ernie Dingo who isnt' a sports star, but still:


I'm sure I could find others, but I've never heard anyone make any comment about them.

[Pac101964]

Originally Posted by Sonrise

This is the key word. Had you been aborigine and your wife, white Australian...well, let's just say the reception wouldn't have been as warm. Australians are a pretty honest group, they'll tell you; it's virtually unheard of for a bi-racial couple where one spouse is aborigine and one white. Very, very rare and still socially unacceptable.

We have a beautiful little baby that we will be raising in Australia.
I love America but we decided it will be a better place to raise our children. No place is perfect but I love it there. All my in-laws in OZ can't wait for us to get there.

[minibrings]

Originally Posted by Pac101964

We have a beautiful little baby that we will be raising in Australia.
I love America but we decided it will be a better place to raise our children. No place is perfect but I love it there. All my in-laws in OZ can't wait for us to get there.

Are you bi-racial? Wondering what point you are trying to make in this thread.

[Sleddog905]

Originally Posted by Spindle

why do Americans always compare Australian Aboriginals to their black community? In terms of current social status and history, they are far more similar to the native american population. .

As an American, I wouldn't really think to compare the two. I've never been Australia but I have heard a lot about the Aborigines situation. I tend to think of how the Native Americans have been treated here in the States. I would imagine that Black Africans are treated differently than the Aboriginals are?

Just out of curiosity, are Aborigines who have assimilated to modern society treated differently than those who haven't?

[Trimac20]

Originally Posted by Sleddog905

As an American, I wouldn't really think to compare the two. I've never been Australia but I have heard a lot about the Aborigines situation. I tend to think of how the Native Americans have been treated here in the States. I would imagine that Black Africans are treated differently than the Aboriginals are?

Just out of curiosity, are Aborigines who have assimilated to modern society treated differently than those who haven't?

Adam Goodes is certainly treated differently from the 'brotha' who lives at the park bench in the city park. People often point out that the fact they respect aboriginal footy players means they respect all aboriginal people. In the same way, I suppose they worship all people as much as they worshipped Plugger, or Gary Ablett, or Chris Judd or something?

[Spindle]

Originally Posted by Sleddog905

As an American, I wouldn't really think to compare the two.

sorry, I didn't mean it as a generalization, but more that I read it repeatedly on here. I'd also like to add to my previous comment with regards to the original topic that it's difficult to compare racism between the different countries because our societies dynamics and demographics aren't entirely similar.