Advance Australia Fair?

[megleigh]

The more I watch the news these days, the more concerned for Australia I become. Take one of tonight's lead stories for instance.

A Muslim school has become the center of a storm, because a former teacher complained that singing of the Australian National Anthem has been banned at the school. This sounds pretty odd when you first hear the complaint

Comments

[evilleaper]

At the risk of sounding difficult I have to say that the media has a lot to answer for, however with all our open arms we have allowed a lot to go on in this country for far too long unchecked. The above story is one story in many that we hear about these days where our open arms have been used and abused by people who have no interest in us or our way of life, not to mention our laws. The fair treatment of women comes to mind.

I am not sure if you realise this or not, but I live in Sydney where we have a large number of muslims, mostly in the western suburbs. Frankly I am sick and tired of seeing women (and in many cases, very small girls) with veils over their faces whenever I have to travel to those areas, usually to attend a conference on what constitutes violence to girls and women in our society. That is Australia society.

[megleigh]

I do acknowledge that all is not perfect in the Muslim communities in Australia, and that there is a lot that does go on unchecked, but to broadcast stories that are at least somewhat untrue in the effort to stir up more ill-will towards people who are innocent is irresponsible.

For kids that supposedly "Never sing the anthem at all," The kids in that news story sure knew the words very well.

I don't support violence against women and children in any way at all, and know that these things need to be addressed, but at the same time, is it fair to hold these schools to a higher standard than that which we hold our own 'state' schools to? Why don't Australian State Schools come under question for not singing the anthem every day?

Violence against women and children is a separate and very different issue.

[evilleaper]

I saw the news story, and the follow up stories where the school defended itself and stated it liked the anthem. I knew immediately that it was more media hype, which is not helpful to the muslim people in this country.

My point is....Australia is a fair country and needs to remain that way. We can not allow our political correctness to degrade of our common laws. The laws set down for all of us. Not just some of us. People are going to react to groups when they feel threaten by them. When anyone reads headlines that say Muslim school bans national anthem, they are going to react. It is human nature.

My youngest son finished high school 18 months ago at a public high school. He didn't sing the national anthem everyday, but then again no one ever asked his school...a multicultural high school in Sydney's eastern suburbs, if they had banned it either. If they had I would expect his school to explain.

Violence against women and children is always an issue when some members of our society grew up with the belief that it was okay.

[megleigh]

Yes, violence is an issue. We have no disagreement there.

I conducted a quick poll of my three kids 21, 20 and 17. They remember singing the national anthem once a week in primary school, and either not at all in high school or only on ANZAC Day.

The headline of the news story was: Muslim School Bans National Anthem.

That was proven untrue by follow-up stories. What happened to journalists having a little bit of perspective and balance?

A better headline would be: "Teacher claims Muslim school banned Anthem" A truer reflection of the facts than what was used.

I still maintain that we don't need to hold Muslim, or any other private schools to a higher standard than state schools.

I think that the Muslim community itself could resolve a lot of this by being a little more open to dialogue, though.

[kabuldur]

I'm disgusted as well. You're right. It does smack of parochialism, discrimination and fear mongering. I think it whips up racism where none existed before. We DID used to welcome people from other countries. Our government actually encouraged people in my parent's generation to visit new neighbours and have a cup of tea with them (not that the probably had a tea drinking ritual, depending on where they came from). Then we had Pauline come along and people started spitting on those who don't look like us on Melbourne trains. Not impressed!

[angelabenedetti]

Oh, good grief. :/ That's completely ridiculous -- it looks like the press was just trying to stir up some more readership and didn't care how they did it.

And I agree that it's likely to increase tension between cultures to have lies like that spread by the media, something no country needs, especially right now. :(

Angie

[j3nny3lf]

I know your frustration. We have a lot of the same sort of bullshit here in America "Land of the Free".

And in THIS country, people have the first amendment protecting their right to speech, which includes such things as whether or not to sing the Star Spangled Banner.

America has NO excuse for marginalizing and discriminating against her Muslim citizens and residents. No excuse whatsoever.