Thread: My Favourite Australian Statesman

Originally Posted by FenianEel

Well, on a par with the rest of his usual negative, degrogatory posts, regardless of subject.
I think a few more crass generalisations and racial stereotypes and offensive terms, could've been made in that post if the writer had more time actually, or could spell properly.

Apart from the spelling, he was talking about eighty years ago, not today. And in 1925 "crass generalisations and racial stereotypes and offensive terms" were part of normal society. While I can't specifically comment on the Irish, certainly in 1925 the White Australia policy was alive and well, it was not until over fifty years later that aboriginals were even counted in the census. I suspect the view of the Irish varied according to the proportion in the local area, although I am not sure whether it was proportional or inversely proportional!

But certainly getting upset about what is probably an accurate description of the way people thought eighty years ago is not very useful - if the statement was inaccurate, show how it was. If it was accurate, and certainly two thirds of it was, perhaps you should be commenting on how much things have improved (or not) rather than criticising him for saying it.

Denying that these attitudes existed does not change the fact that they did.

John

Originally Posted by FenianEel

Well, on a par with the rest of his usual negative, degrogatory posts, regardless of subject.
I think a few more crass generalisations and racial stereotypes and offensive terms, could've been made in that post if the writer had more time actually, or could spell properly.

He has an excuse Fen, he's orange

This is my own opinion and for you people that live in a part of Australia without them, walk a mile in the shoes of us that do.

for those I have upset with my opinion..PM me your address for the box of tissues

Driving from Brisbane to Darwin and back was an eye opener on this topic. While I have long been sympathetic to the aborigine's issues around drinking and cultural alienation, I am now much more sympathetic than I was to the problems that the remote communities have in living with them.

But it is a shame that some people feel this gives them permission to automatically dislike someone because of skin colour instead of disliking them for their socially disruptive behaviour.

Originally Posted by FenianEel

I think a few more crass generalisations and racial stereotypes and offensive terms, ...

Who is sticking up for the generalisations and stereotyping of do-gooders and university-type?

As with many things, public opinion of these groups is set by a very small number of noisy people who get into the media by being controversial/stupid. If it wasn't for both these groups society would be a pretty miserable place for all but the ruling class.

(I am not an academic but do work at a university.)

Originally Posted by FenianEel

de"grog"atory

I've made my fair share of those.

Thanks Dawg now I have to put up with the whinging of the educated, many of whom have never seen an indiginous community.

Originally Posted by dobbo

Thanks Dawg now I have to put up with the whinging of the educated, many of whom have never seen an indiginous community.

That was part of what i was saying, now that I have seen some towns were there are lots of indigenous very drunk/high in public places, I have a lot of sympathy for the others who have to live with it around them. I don't think I could do it so I try not to be too judgemental at any resultant racism. It is tragic for everyone.

I seem to recall that Queensland included aborigines in the 'flora and fauna' category until quite recently...

GQ

Originally Posted by dobbo

Thanks Dawg now I have to put up with the whinging of the educated, many of whom have never seen an indiginous community.

My Apologies Steve but I do love a heated debate.....
Every body has an opinion and most keep a lid on it in fear of upsetting someone..Hell just say what you feel and release the stress