Increasing overt racism

[simongr]

Hi

I am just wondering what the site plans to do with the increasing amount of overt racism coming through on the site. Obviously the catalyst for this is the out pouring of vitriol towards Alan Joyce and his original country of birth rather than his country of choice.

I might be being overly sensitive but the constant attacks on him for being a foreigner (which are factually incorrect) are really impacting on my ability to enjoy the site and have rational(ish) discussions.

S

 

[ejb]

Well said Simon. I think we all need to remember to play the ball and not the man.

ejb


Sent from my iPhone so please ignore auto corrects!

 

[bossreggie]

Agreed Simon.

I'd prefer the Mods deleted offensive posts.

I'm an immigrant too but Australia is my home!

 

[el_rooto]

I think the 'Irishman' hate is coming out because of the media strategy of the unions and them re-enforcing everything being 'Australian' and juxtaposing that with the 'unaustralian' and 'Irish' Alan Joyce.

 

[JohnK]

I am an immigrant as well but I got used to being called all sorts of names in the 70's and 80's and don't take it too seriously. And at the same time I was able to give as good as I received. I guess though some people would not be as tolerant in today's day and age.

And by the way I could never be called aracist as I hate everyone equally....

 

[Reggie]

I normally try to avoid serious political correctness threads / posts, but feel I have to comment.

My family is of Dutch origin, and I cop all sorts of comments which do not bother me, even down to double dutch and going duch etc.

My partners family are English, and yes they make sure it is know that they are English, not British, and they are referred to as POM's. Some here have been upset when a reference to POM is made, but it is no different to the dutch comments.

Whilst I agree some comments may have gone to far in regards to AJ, I think there are far worse posts and attacks between community members that are not being moderated than these refering to the Irish, English, Dutch or others as foreigners.

Move on, nothing more to see here.

 

[samiam]

I am also an ingrate.

 

[DC3]

I think the 'Irishman' hate is coming out because of the media strategy of the unions and them re-enforcing everything being 'Australian' and juxtaposing that with the 'unaustralian' and 'Irish' Alan Joyce.

Yes, but I don't think that's it's aimed at the Irish. It's about Alan Joyce, who was born in Dublin. The term unaustralian is not a new one and has become a common term particularly used by politicians (and others) to deliver their argument and to emphasize negative connotations. I can't see "unaustralian' being banned anytime soon.

 

[straitman]

Agreed Simon.

I'd prefer the Mods deleted offensive posts.

I'm an immigrant too but Australia is my home!

AS we all know, it is often a very fine line as what offends one person :evil: is often quite OK by another. Also what is said in jest does not always come across in jest. That's where smilies are very useful. :shock:

So long as people attack a topic and not the person, i.e. do not make things too personal we do try to let things run their course.

Sometimes a post or even a thread will be withdrawn for a more general review or sometimes things are closed temporarily until people calm down.

If anyone is concerned at anytime then please use the report function to ensure the post/thread get a proper review.

 

[el_rooto]

Yes, but I don't think that's it's aimed at the Irish. It's about Alan Joyce, who was born in Dublin. The term unaustralian is not a new one and has become a common term particularly used by politicians (and others) to deliver their argument and to emphasize negative connotations. I can't see "unaustralian' being banned anytime soon.

Its in the way things being 'Australian' are being juxtaposed with 'The Irishman"

 

[medhead]

I have a problem, I don't see it as racist. I've gone into the details already, but basically nationality is not race. On the broader point of "foreigners" well we are all from somewhere else, the only variation is how long we've lived down under. I think that everyone is accepted even if characteristics are picked on and .....(I'm not sure what word I want here). Hell I even cop excrement for being a queenslander. but we are special people.....

This doesn't mean that I support everything that is written about AJ, and agree it is excessive.

 

[straitman]

I have a problem,

Only one :?:

don't see it as racist. I've gone into the details already, but basically nationality is not race. On the broader point of "foreigners" well we are all from somewhere else, the only variation is how long we've lived down under. I think that everyone is accepted even if characteristics are picked on and .....(I'm not sure what word I want here). Hell I even cop excrement for being a queenslander. but we are special people.....

This doesn't mean that I support everything that is written about AJ, and agree it is excessive.

At least you are not a Tasmanian :!: Then we would have reason to worry.

 

[DC3]

If someone said that half of the lies about the Irish aren't true anyway, you may think that racist, or you may not.

But if it were said that half of the lies about (a named 'Irishman') aren't true anyway, then would you regard that as an unacceptable attack? Quite possibly. I would by the way. Just by reading this you may be offended, but others may not. This is not directed to anyone in particular by the way.

 

[Moody]

If someone said that half of the lies about the Irish aren't true anyway, you may think that racist, or you may not.

But if it were said that half of the lies about (a named 'Irishman') aren't true anyway, then would you regard that as an unacceptable attack? Quite possibly. I would by the way. Just by reading this you may be offended, but others may not. This is not directed to anyone in particular by the way.

Maybe it's late in the day, but this argument is slowly but surely disappearing up someone's fundament.

Having a go at AJ because he is a hard-coughd CEO parachuted in to crush his own workforce and replace them with cheaper overseas staff ... well that's reasonable.

Having a go at AJ because he is of Irish descent ..... that's lazy. But it's hardly the holocaust, is it?

In the past it was quite common to ridicule shop stewards because they were invariably scottish. Same lazy thinking.

And as someone earlier pointed out - there are far worse things being said on this forum.

 

[awilcockson]

Wait until the press/unions try to score points off the fact that he is gay (according to wikipedia, it surprised me, not that there's anything wrong with that).

 

[medhead]

Only one :?:

we're keeping this on topic aren't we?

In which case only one.....

 

[admin]

Racism is not tolerated on AFF. Period.

Racism falls under our category of "Offensive" postings, which is not permitted.

If you feel a post crosses that proverbial "line", please report the post to the mods.

(And for the record I too was born overseas)

 

[Pushka]

I don't care about a persons racial origins, we have a multiple racial family. And I am not talking WASP mix. I don't care about a persons sexuality. We have very close relatives who are gay and we enjoy their company and i hope to be going to their commitment ceremony. I would love for that to be a marriage but cant see that happening. But, and isn't there always a but. I do find accents of people, usually associated with various countries, particularly difficult to listen to, especially when the pronunciation is so different to the way the English language is spoken. Unfortunately I get really annoyed when Th as in Think is said as Tink. And fish and chips becomes fush and chups. But then, I am a bit OC about the spoken word. My kids will tell you that.

I am also not sure why Unionists can make anything if the fact that AJ might not have been born in Australia, given their own characteristics.

Unfortunately AJ is one of those who incur my linguistic wrath. The fact that he may or may not be born in Australia is irrelevant. I don't like him for other reasons.

 

[simongr]

But, and isn't there always a but. I do find accents of people, usually associated with various countries, particularly difficult to listen to, especially when the pronunciation is so different to the way the English language is spoken.

I think you mean the way you speak the English language. Given that Australia is not the origin of the English language I find it a little odd that Australian English is deemed to be the bench mark by which someone's dialect and pronunciation should be measured.

I think what I am struggling with is the overt "send him back to where he belongs" and the ongoing "johnny foreigner can't maintain planes like Australian engineers".

For clarity as well Admin I really wasn't expecting some overt action by the site (as I know that if there was a true racist attack on someone it would vanish) - it was more for me highlighting to the site/forum/community as a whole how they might be perceived and whether that was how they wanted to be perceived.

 

[medhead]

I think you mean the way you speak the English language. Given that Australia is not the origin of the English language I find it a little odd that Australian English is deemed to be the bench mark by which someone's dialect and pronunciation should be measured.

It's like cricket and rugby, both are English games but the antipodeans are the greater exponents of both. Notwithstanding recent anomalies.

I think what I am struggling with is the overt "send him back to where he belongs" and the ongoing "johnny foreigner can't maintain planes like Australian engineers".

I agree both statements/sentiments are cringe worthy.

The problem I have (as in this is my lack of understanding) is I don't see the first as racist, given the vast majority making such statement would identify themselves as being of the same race. I'm not sure it is xenophobic as I'm not sure it is said out of fear. :?: But still totally undesirable

The overseas maintenaince thing. Well that sounds racist but again I'm having trouble seeing that it really is racist. Isn't the real issue supervision standards at certain overseas maintenance facilities? If that is the real issue, it comes do to management and standards not race.

BTW when I hear those comments I think of LH facilities doing QF maintenance. Now I could be accused of racism against the Germans. But that wouldn't explain why I married my wife who has fine and recent Barossa German hertiage.


Sent from my iPhone using Aust Freq Fly app so please excuse the lack of links.