Another isolated incident or a sign of pervasive racism in Australia?

School boy racially abused by 50-year-old woman on Sydney bus

FOOTAGE has emerged of yet another racial attack on a Sydney bus - but this time, the victim is a school boy.

Video posted to YouTube and aired on A Current Affair last night shows a 50-year-old woman hurling verbal profanities at a young male of Asian descent in a school uniform.

It all starts when, in order to protect "fragile equipment" stored in boxes, the boy and a friend decide to stand in the aisle of the bus while keeping the equipment safe on bus seats.

It's this that agitates the woman, who claims the pair are blocking her view.

Read more: http://www.news.com.au/national-news/school-boy-racially-abused-by-50-year-old-woman-on-sydney-bus/story-fncynjr2-1226657226955#ixzz2VFHJJ2vs

Fortunately, I have never been a direct victim of racism but I think I know exactly how this boy feels.  Being subject to explicit racism is an incredibly scarring experience that stays with you for a long time - maybe for the rest of your life.  And when it's 2013 and you're living in one of the world's most affluent and multicultural cities, having this happen to you is gut-wrenchingly demoralising.

This incident was particularly disheartening for me because no one spoke up for him and also because he immediately reminded me of my younger brother.  My brother is very shy and can be quite socially awkward.  My friends used to say hi to him outside the school gates while we waited for my parents to pick us up and he would literally - not even kidding - scurry over to a tree or behind some foliage and retreat into the shadows.  Not saying a word.  That's how much confidence he lacks.

So if something like this ever happened to him...

He'd probably keep his mouth shut and look away, shrinking back into his seat and digging himself further into his little bubble of timidness.  Scarred for life.  And the worst thing is, he might not tell us about it.  He'd keep it to himself and feel bad all the time, and no one can help him.

Really, this video just makes me feel: wow, that could've been my little brother taking the bus, being abused by some random.

Very sad.
Makes me want to freaking destroy/punch the f out of anyone who makes him feel that way.

But overall, I still hold an optimistic view for the future of multiculturalism in Australia.  I always assure myself - once my peers are the ones running society, we will have a generation of leaders where most have grown up in very multicultural communities and are great champions for anti-racism and acceptance.

Anyway, it's important not to get too bogged down by this new incident.  While we have seen quite a number of racist incidents being reported by the media recently, we must not forget that there are definitely leaders out there who are actively supporting and fuelling multiculturalism in Australia:

Multiculturalism and anti-racism were key messages at the fundraiser for the Liberal Candidate for Bruce, Emanuele Cicchiello.  And yes, here's a video of my time that night:

emanuele cicchiello fundraiser from Cincity on Vimeo.

What makes Australia so great? It definitely isn't the quality of journalism.

As I was about to leave my criminal law lecture today (a lecture which I paid no attention to), I randomly asked the two people sitting on either side of me:

"What do you guys think about Australia?"

"Can you give me a context to that?"

Why yes Peter, I can:

According to the latest OECD Better Life Index, which analyses 34 of the world's developed economies based on categories like income, health, housing, education and life satisfaction, Australia is the happiest nation in the world, a title we've won three times in a row.

In general, Australians are more satisfied with their lives than the OECD average, with 84% of people saying they have more positive experiences in an average day (feelings of rest, pride in accomplishment, enjoyment, etc) than negative ones (pain, worry, sadness, boredom, etc). This figure is higher than the OECD average of 80%.

In addition to this, I told Peter and Alex that when asked what made Australia such a great country, answers generally reflected a shared appreciation of multiculturalism and fairness in our society.  People on Yahoo ASK (because that's a totally reliable site) said:

-          The fair-go attitude and the help-your-mate spirit as well as the relaxed she'll be right way of looking at things.

It is also the most beautiful land.
I was not born here but I call Australia home
The multi-culturalism here is true-blue. (Sure, there are few idiots who ruin it for most ofus - but then again, every country has them.)

Cheers

It is also the most beautiful land. I was not born here but I call Australia home The multi-culturalism here is true-blue. (Sure, there are few idiots who ruin it for most ofus - but then again, every country has them.)
Cheers

  It means a lot to me. Australia is a secular, democratic humane nation where human rights comes first. I am proud to call this great nation my home.
NO MATTER HOW FAR I MAY ROAM, I STILL CALL AUSTRALIA HOME
born in sri lanka and been living in Australia for over 30 years

In my 55 years I have never been hungry.I am educated freely.Should I take ill, medicine and health care is available and free.I am allowed to go where and when I please without hindrance of any kind.I am able to eat 3 times a day , more if I want to.I can vote for my Leaders.I can become one of those Leaders should I so desire.I am FREE.I have always had a roof over my head but should that change, my country will provide for me.I am welcome anywhere in the world, because the wonderful ANZACS that protect me make it so.And I am damn bloody grateful for all that.

With his eyes still firmly glued onto the Google images gallery of a bikini clad Home and Away actress ("Oh my god, Cindy look, she's so hot, homggg"  "Wow she could almost pull off that mixed-race Asian look" "What the heck are you on about?"), Alex simply offered a "no way" before Peter said something like "Really? Wow.  What sort of study is this.  I'm surprised - the Australian media is so racist."

"Racist?"  I asked.

"Yeah - A Current Affairs, Today Tonight?" he looked at me expectantly.

Ahhh yes.  Not since my ignorant days as a socially inept 5 ft 2 year seven student have I watched an ACA or TT program, and thinking it was actual news.  I do miss those subtle thematic jabs of 'yellow peril'/'Asian wave'.  And Tracy Grimshaw's hair.  Always ahead of the soccer mum trend.  I hope no-one forgot about this fiasco:

All-Asian mall?! ACA beat-up exposed by local rag

Qualitaay.

Anyway, the fact that Peter and Alex's immediate reactions were ones of uber scepticism actually surprised me.  I mean, I think Australia's pretty great even compared to Canada (too cold) and New Zealand (too New Zealand and the only thing that makes up for this is Flight of the Conchords).  On the issue of racism, perhaps I haven't taken the Frankston line or hung out with Collingwood supporters enough to see how badly entrenched racism is in some parts of the community.

Personally, I still think the issue of racism in Australia has been fairly exaggerated by the media.  While some subconscious discrimination might still exist among the older generations, I'm sure that by the time my peers have entered the workforce and some of them becoming employers themselves, job candidates won't be rejected simply because they have the surname Wong or Jayasinghe.  Or not be given promotions because Caucasian employers think it's better to have Caucasian faces fronting the company.  If people say 'racism' is still a big problem in Australia, then I think this sort of implicit discrimination is much more prevalent than old women on the trains going "MY GRANDFATHER FOUGHT FOR THIS COUNTRY. NOW YOU FOREIGN FUCKERS HAVE TO COME AND SCREW IT ALL UP."

Then again, I grew up in the suburban sprawl of Monash, which is considered one of the most multicultural areas in, like, the world.  I don't know whether this means my judgment is biased because I've been stuck in this enclave for too long or whether it actually means I'm right, because of Monash being a heightened example of the multiculturalism that already exists across Melbourne.

Regardless of shitty mainstream journalism and Collingwood supporters and racists on the Frankston line, Melbourne is still a pretty awesome place to call home.  Have you guys ever noticed the massive number of artsy festivals we hold here?  We've got the International Coffee Expo that just happened (or is still ongoing, I haven't checked) and the Emerging Writers' Festival and the St Kilda Film Festival happening right now - at the exact same time.

Also, ask any international student what they think about Australia and I'm sure the verdict is usually very positive.  Ask any Chinese international student what they think and it'll be:

- more relaxed, laidback
- clean environment e.g. "WOW I can actually see BLUE SKIES."  "NO PIGS IN DA YARRA. HURDUR."
- greater social mobility
- no toxic baby milk powder
- less homework, school is easy, maths is especially easy :D   No Gaokao craziness
- fairer society
- more considerate community, meaning one that is more willing to help strangers
- crap Chinese food

My weekly radio segment with China Radio International:

I say the word "interesting" way too much.

Way way too much.

I also need to stop going "glad to be on the show" and "thanks for having me" every single time he welcomes me or when I sign off.  I sound like a Betty Draper robot.

For those who don't know, I do a small weekly segment with John Artman from China Radio International in Beijing.  As their Melbourne correspondent, he calls me and we do a short light-hearted discussion on a local news story or event here in Australia.  Our segment is aired every Sunday afternoon at 1pm Beijing time - which is 3pm here in Melbourne.

Topics could range from things like the Queen visiting to the Moomba Festival to omgpeoplearecolouringtheirdogsredtolooklikeClifford??!?!  

China Radio International was founded on December 3, 1941.  It's a state-owned radio station which has links with 30 other bureaus around the world.  They have shows focused on issues all around the globe as a way of promoting connections with China and showing mutual understanding of global issues.  

John is an American expat living in Beijing.  He also writes frequently for one of my favourite sites - www.beijingcream.com which is pretty much Beijing's version of Gawker.  

^ Beijing.

If you have never seen a map before. Which should be unlikely,

because even if you live in a basement under your parents'

house, you could still access the internet.

#gonzojournalismftw

I've actually been doing this show for a while but I've never posted anything about it until now.  Because now I have a nice new blog that isn't filled with 1000 word rants about how Bruno Mars is the antichrist + lots of sixteen year old teenage angst.  Ugh. 

Anyway.  Here's a few interviews I did recently - have a listen 

Also the rest of the program have really good topics as well.  If you're studying Asian studies or really interested in contemporary Chinese society, then.... WHY ARE YOU NOT DOWNLOADING THE PODCASTS ALREADY?

To all my friends who have known about my stint with CRI, sorry to keep you waiting - you can finally listen to my voice all day erryday:

5/5/2013:  Queensland Minister for Transport Scott Emerson legalises the use of segways on footpaths and roads - even when it's banned in other countries for being too unsafe:

http://english.cri.cn/4926/2013/05/03/1561s763013.htm

(Oh good old Queensland, doing things for the lulz)

Yes, Queensland, that is your minister of transport.
Oozes.  Cool.

21/4/2013:  New study by Curtin University finds that young Australians who are shown CGI images illustrating the effects of smoking on their appearances later in life are more successful in quitting.  

http://english.cri.cn/4926/2013/04/22/1561s760893.htm

14/4/2013: Freak winds in Melbourne causes a heritage listed wall to crumble and crush three people to death - Melbourne reacts strongly - how could it be allowed to happen? Who's responsible??? 

http://english.cri.cn/4926/2013/04/15/1561s759444.htm

31/3/2013: Permission given by Melbourne City Council to build the Southern Hemisphere's tallest (LUXURY RESIDENTIAL) building (WITH A 6 STAR HOTEL) - Australia 108 - but there are claims this building will cast a shadow over the Shrine of Remembrance.  WHAT DO??!?!

http://english.cri.cn/4926/2013/03/29/1561s756780.htm

Why did I even caps.

Yeah.

Dat feel.