Things that shit me #17- Racism (part 2- the Australian flag)

In Things that shit me #10- Racism I talked about how racism is irrational. As some pointed out, there can be some benefit in stereotyping in life, such as with the following example:

This spectacular mullet-hawk creation was spotted from across the room at a recent hen's night and we felt we had to investigate closer (note the friend with the backward hat... indoors... at night next to Mr Mullicious). After engaing this table of fine examples of manhood in a brief conversation we confirmed our hypothesis made from across the room based on stereotypes: they were indeed, douchebags.

Neurosurgeon Charlie Teo has been making some comments on the issue leading up to Australia Day "I had an Indian neurosurgeon visiting me a couple of years ago and it was really sad. The fellow was standing at the traffic lights and some guy drove past and spat on him and told him to go home."
Since the Cronulla riots I think racism has increased in Australia, or become more acceptable.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2005_Cronulla_riots

While the intellectual level of the verbal exchange between the groups has contributed a record of a marvellous sample of the Australian Language :

One of the Lebanese men responded to the accusations, "I'm allowed to; now fuck off and leave our beach", to which a lifesaver responded, "I come down here out of my own spare time to save you dumb cunts from drowning; now piss off, you scum" (op cit)

the ensuing effect on Australian culture has been solely negative.

What arose from this day is giving something symbolic and positive a very negative meaning. The Southern cross is a star formation seen from the Southern hemisphere, and appears on the Australian flag in white, and the New Zealand flag in red. (The Kiwis didn't deserve to be dragged into this one!) It now almost as commonly appears on the rear windows of Holden Commodores and Ford Falcons (note a strong correlation of these vehicles being lowered and having mag wheels) or tattooed onto a young skip's shoulder or chest.

As I started writing this the other day, I was partly annoyed (hey- it's my idea) and partly reassured that I'm not alone in this thinking when a study was in the news this morning confirming this:

http://www.abc.net.au/news/2012-01-24/aussie-flag-bearers-more-racist3a-survey/3790172 

While the media coverage of the study is limited as to the study design etc, it does not surprise me at all, as it is certainly an association I have regretfully drawn.