Posted by Kevin Bates When we speak of "typical Australians", we need to keep them in mind because, judging from these shopping centre visits lately, they are just as typical a sight as any other kind of person. It would be good if some of the red-neck radio jocks and those who constantly regard people from the Middle East, and particularly Moslem people, as foreigners, could get out and about and realise that we have lots of people sharing this country who are "typical" of Australia now. Media outlets such as SBS are becoming more and more mainstream rather than simply being fringe or niche broadcasters. I'm proud we can live together like this. How much courage would it take to let a mere two or three thousand more refugees establish themselves here, and to allow a few hundred Timorese to stay, who've already been living as Australians for many years? It's too late for those who play the race-card to shape this country anymore - try as they might - we are many colours and shapes and languages and faiths - and there is still room for more!
on May 1, 2003, 6:12 pm
Just a little musing - the last few days I've been in two shopping centres in Sydney and have been struck, (I suppose because of the fear in the air at the moment), by the number of Moslem people who are part of our community here. They are Australians just as much as I am and are part of this country's present and future.
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