Cronulla "Racial" Violence
Australia - 12/12/2005
Some call it racist, some call it shameful, some call it un-Australian, some call it inevitable.
What causes a huge crowd to gather in a show of patriotism? Were they just out for a good time? Did they have nothing better to do? Something big must have been happening to spark such a large gathering.
It was interesting to see the different slants put on the story by different news services. Channel 10 seemed to suggest the violence occurred after an isolated incident where a life saver was bashed by people of Lebanese appearance. Channel 7 covered the story from before yesterday’s violence occurred, clearly showing that there has been a history of "gang" activity where the beach was basically being taken over by a group of thugs. These thugs happen to be Lebanese.
I can understand a show of patriotism in this situation. We graciously welcome people of different countries and cultures to live here in Australia. How disrespectful is it for some of them to form gangs and impose violence on Australians – the ones who welcomed them into the country in the first place!
So what should we do about it? Impose the same violence back on them? Beat up every innocent man or woman who happens to look the slightest bit like a Lebanese? No way! While I can understand the patriotism, a number of Australians have shamed our country by attacking innocent people.
So if we don’t fight back, what do we do? It’s about time the Australian legal system got tough on immigrants who disrespect the people who welcomed them into our "home". If someone disrespected me or my property in my own home, they wouldn’t be welcome back. Likewise, if immigrants disrespect us or our property, they shouldn’t be welcome in the country – and should be sent home.
Tonight we saw Lebanese leaders on the news blaming Sydney radio announcers for "inciting" the violence. Unfortunately this does nothing to ease the tension. If the Lebanese leaders were serious about a peaceful existence between Australians and Lebanese, they would be denouncing the gang activity that has been taking place – making the point that it is not representative of their race or beliefs.
Unfortunately, if the Australian authorities don’t get tough and the gangs continue to intimidate people, I can only see the violence getting worse as the Australian patriotism increases. Australians are very good at protecting their way of life – even if we have to go to extreme measures to do so.
| Others' Views: Based on 31 votes |
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| Totally agree: | 
(71%) |
| Mostly agree: | 
(0%) |
| Mostly disagree: |
(12.9%) |
| Totally disagree: |
(16.1%) |