Rant (i'm sending this to SMH)
I stood under the Australian flag and sang songs for my country. I laughed as an ambassador at people who had never understood what the song "waltzing matilda" actually describes, even though they were of the opinion that it was our national anthem. And I've boasted to people with pride about my country. A place were we face more threat from natural hazard than from our next-door neighbours. The most multicultural nation on earth.
All over the world, the Australian population is described as open, easy-going, accepting. "No worries" is our national phrase, even if the one that's known best is "That's not a knife, THIS is a knife" - Crocodile Dundee.
Deep gashes were torn in my heart this morning when I awoke to read "Kristianstadsbladet," my local Swedish newspaper. "Racist uprising shakes Sydney" and "Racist Problems in Sydney" are the translations of two headlines.
Of course, ever from the other side of the world, the riots plaguing Sydney are followed closely by loyal "Australians." The small summaries displayed in the worlds newspapers aren't just news fillers. The reports illustrate the image of Australia fed to the global society. Thanks to the high blooded fools who act as drunken sheep when rallied.
Sydney is known for the Opera House and the Sydney Harbour Bridge. Sydney is known as a global smörgåsbord, where food from most countries can used to entertain our taste buds. Sydney is a display case where the fruits of the world are on exhibition. But currently a sour taste fowls the mouths of its inhabitants. Like the dream of Australian beaches is tarnished by tales of aggressive sharks, our biggest city is haunted by a cloud of racism.
What is Australia? In foreign eyes our country is exotic. A large country, a hot one. With dangerous animals, lovely people and beaches to share with the world. We praise heroes like Ned Kelly and a sheep thief, whilst holding free-for-all parties where you're welcome so long as you bring a plate. We constantly take pride and enjoyment from our golden soils. Our land is girt by sea.
But a paradise where only white people are permitted to lay their feet? A holiday destination where out-of-control youths with broken ideas rampage on the bottle, driven by angst, heat and brandishing a tainted preachings disguised under the title "defending out own"? Where racial climates run high and high-strung tensions lead to snap? Where a sense of patriotism is crucified and used as a tool to wound everything we are proud of?
Many countries in the world are known for their racial problems. Most have race-war backgrounds. Australia is no stranger to the mottled blemishes of racism, although in modern times we are far from the worst inflicted. We are internationally known as a paradise.
But racial tensions have been riding high for longer than most are willing to accept.
Currently in our simmering sunshine brutal phrases, punches and misspelled slogans put the Australian population on display for its ignorance. Generalisations and racial hate leave permanent discolourations in our countries wake. Unjustified claims and the belligerent attitudes of a minority of individuals tarnish potentials for generations to come. This foolishness horrifies as all. Isn't it time the population awoke?