Viewpoints Refugees and Racism | Refugees and Racism |
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13 September 2001 Reading about the events concerning the 460 refugees on the good ship 'Tampa' of the last few weeks has not surprised me. The ensuing bunfight that will probably now proceed between Australia, NZ and European countries, about disregard for human rights, the right to refuse and other issues will also not surprise me but will make me wonder again (because I wonder this every time I read about refugees being discovered at Dover, under a train at Calais or in a Lorry somewhere in western Europe), is would all this fuss be made of the refugees concerned were blonde and blue eyed? The number of 460 refugees in total: 150 to NZ, the rest to Naurau or Australia initially (apparently they may go to Australia if their applications prove genuine. Now that made me laugh - like any sane human being would put themselves through that experience if they weren't serious), doesn't seem a lot to me - even for sparsely-populated countries like Australia and NZ. I mean, when you think about the numbers of Asian refugees, Polynesian and European immigrants over the last 60 years (OK, maybe not all at once and in quite a dramatic manner), there has to be a hellova lot more than 460 people. Let's be honest about all this. If the immigrants in question had spoken perfect English, been good Christians and of the Aryan persuasion would there have been all this brouhaha about not letting them into the country - then again, would they have been on that godforsaken boat in the first place? Given the events that have astounded the world over the last two days though, I hate to say it but I reckon their goose is cooked. I get the definite feeling that the same mass hysteria over anyone with olive skin, dark hair , sporting an unkempt beard with a penchant for baggy clothing, or just 'Middle-eastern looking', will be stirred up over the next few weeks to varying degrees all over the world reminiscent of the period that was for a while over anyone of the 'yellow skinned' variety (only 60 odd years ago). Those matching the description will given different treatment from the rest of the populace, mistrusted and probably subject to a higher quota to 'security checks' than other citizens. Unfortunately, now is probably a bad time to be an Afghani refugee. Susannah Nelson's article explores the 'darker' side of the Australian psyche. I don't have any argument with her writing, the stuff she'd written was pretty goddamn interesting. But if the Tampa had been languishing in Dover, can we be sure that the reaction in the UK would not have been similar to a certain extent? The following is a personal account. Families (Bangladeshi I guess), were herded together (the only thing missing were cattle prods), to be 'processed' by customs officials. Anyone standing out of line was promptly shouted at. I saw a number of bags being opened in the customs halls by officials and the contents being pulled out without regard for the niceties of putting things back or even asking for permission to open the bags (I believe this is a legal prerequisite). Being one of the 'orientals' on the plane and probably assumed I was Japanese, I was waived through without hesitation with 'westerners' after being given a welcome and an automatic VISA at the immigration desk. I wondered if any of the 'western' travelers on that flight noticed what was going on. 2) The scenario at an Australian airport 5 years ago: I was on my way home for a visit. I was going via Bangkok (always a mistake but it's my preferred route). I travel on a NZ passport (I'm a born and bred kiwi but Chinese, adopted into a white family as a baby), I was stopped and interrogated in the immigration hall in Brisbane about how I came by my NZ passport and the purpose of my travel intentions. The passport had numerous visas and stamps, a patriality stamp for the UK and evidence that I'd been living in England for not only the last few years but the passport I'd been traveling on was in fact, issued in London. If the 'official' in question had rolled back my upper lip to check for a numbered tattoo, my feeling of humiliation would have been complete. I noticed that I wasn't the only one stopped at the desk - the similarity was we were all Asian. Why did I write this? What relevance has this got to do with the refugees on Tampa? Because for years I've listened to leaders wax lyrical about integrated societies, global communities and racial harmony, when at the grass roots level it still goes on and all over the world. I feel for those guys now, after all of this, they'll have extra hassle because of fear, hysteria and ignorance.'Oh come come come' I can hear all the rational, educated and socially aware populace say 'let's not jump to gross generalizations and what proof have you got anyway?' OK I have no proof. I can only tell what I've experienced and draw my own conclusions. I've never said this was gospel, but I've also asked some of my blue eyed siblings and friends if they've ever experienced the same and what a surprise, the answer's been 'no'. OK, so now I'll wait for the immigration official with a roll of gaffer tape... |
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