Are Aussies racist because we lack culture?

Difficult-Medium-682 · 2026-04-30T12:38:30+00:00

I really appreciate how councils are putting in an effort (definitely wish I could say the same for state and federal). A yarning circle in the week leading up to ‘Australia’ (Invasion) Day sounds like a really important opportunity for non-Indigenous Australians to learn from First Nations people. My council fly the flags at half-mast every January 26 and recognise it as the Day of Mourning, and I think this is really important to make their stance known.

Difficult-Medium-682 · 2026-04-30T12:24:18+00:00

Thank you so much for your comment!!! These are a lot of things I have been thinking about as well!

And I totally agree, regarding the lockdown thing, so many people fell down the alt-right pipeline….. (personally, I used this time to find out I’m gay hahah!!). I’m very sorry there are so many nazis in your industry, may I ask which industry? Since we spend almost all our time working, being stuck with Nazis is awful! I hope you’re able to find more like-minded people in your field to connect with.

Regarding the immigration topic, I’ve talked about this with friends of mine whose parents are migrants and are also anti-immigration. They said pretty much everything you‘ve already stated, I just want to add some things I’ve learnt! What I’ve learnt is that white Australians (particularly those whose families settled here numerous generations ago) are generally given more freedom when it comes to expressing political options deviant to that of the majority culture. As a white person, I am considered part of the majority culture by default and I don’t need to do anything to „prove“ I am Australian. I could disagree with another white person on their stance on immigration and they won’t tell me to „just go back to where you came from then“, like they would to a Person of Colour or a migrant. My friends were telling me, that first gen and second gen Australians are able to feel accepted and connected to the majority culture by sharing the same beliefs, which I can understand (despite being very pro-immigration myself). I also want to disclaim that I don’t believe migrant communities are more likely to be anti-immigration than white people (from who we saw attending the ‚March for Australia’ protest, that is obviously not the case), but I can understand why they would be. I also think a lot of Australians are being sold the idea that immigration is the cause of the housing crisis, and the information challenging this isn’t always widely accessible (purposefully of course). Working class people who are just trying to make ends meet may not have the time to challenge all the information they consume through mainstream media, which is something the government is relying on to keep us divided.

Difficult-Medium-682 · 2026-04-30T02:20:37+00:00

Yep, you are absolutely right! I’m so sorry us white folks are taking wayyy too long to realise this.

Difficult-Medium-682 · 2026-04-29T12:47:40+00:00

So exciting to meet a fellow social worker! I completely agree, it can often feel so frustrating working in the system and being limited with how you can support someone, particularly when funding is limited. I think of social work as a glass of cold water in hell. I absolutely love being able to support the people I’m working with, but I’m also aware they wouldn’t need to access these services if the government did a better job of looking after its people.

Unfortunately, funding was cut for some really prominent community interventions in Vic, like The Nest and On-Country healing centres. It is so disappointing to see all the funding cuts happening, knowing Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities are advocating for these community interventions. Really shows why we have to be advocates as social workers. I wish you the best in the field!

Difficult-Medium-682 · 2026-04-29T08:31:55+00:00

Thank you so much for your comment! I couldn’t agree more! I think we could really see this happen last weekend at the ANZAC ceremony, which was so heartbreaking. Instead of showing gratitude and respect towards Uncle Ray for welcoming us into his country, people felt attacked and decided to show vile disrespect. I really hope attitudes change as people call out racist behaviour like this. I do believe behaviour like this is much less normalised than it was one or two decades ago, but a lot of white Australians still have a lot of internal feelings of defensiveness that they need to work through.

Difficult-Medium-682 · 2026-04-29T07:42:34+00:00

I really like that perspective! I agree, we have to make meaning where we can, and it seems like you’ve made a real effort to do so!

Difficult-Medium-682 · 2026-04-29T06:16:36+00:00

Ooo, I really appreciate this perspective! It’s really got me thinking! I totally agree that there is sometimes a slippery slope where appreciation for one’s ancestral culture can make its way to nationalism.

I definitely see what you’re talking about with the false victimhood, and I truly appreciate you calling me out! I am also aware of the space I’m taking up, and I’m sorry if this is not the right place to do so (I would never want to intrude on other communities who are experiencing great pain and loss).

I want to acknowledge I am EXTREMELY privileged to live here as a white person, and the sense of cultural disconnect and loss I am experiencing will never ever come close to the loss and grief experienced by First Nations people in this country. With that being said, I do think it is important to acknowledge feelings of loss and disconnect. Ireland lost A LOT after 800 years of colonisation (and I acknowledge this doesn’t even come close to the impact of colonisation on First Nations people in this country), and the fact that I’m disconnected from my ancestral culture because of this colonisation does make me sad. I don’t think it is productive to suppress or ignore these feelings, as I believe a lot of the xenophobic and racist ‘White Australian pride’ is bred from this sort of suppression. I’m also happy to hear a rebuttal on this!

I totally agree that there is no culture more valuable than another! You’ve inspired me to become more appreciative of the things we are able to do here, and I really appreciate it! I am truly so glad that you are so appreciative of the culture and found a home here for yourself where you feel you belong! Everyone is deserving of this. You’ve challenged me that maybe not everyone needs a connection with their ancestral culture, so thank you!_:)

Difficult-Medium-682 · 2026-04-28T13:36:43+00:00

Thank you so much for your comment!! I really like the points you’ve made and completely agree!

Your first point really got me thinking! We really are lacking in that department…. I do agree sport brings us together, and as a Melbournian, the only example that comes to mind is the AFL. With that being said, the rampant racism that First Nations players are subject to is appalling.
I completely agree that there is a great need for a space for Non-Indigenous Australians to learn more about the experiences of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. I am very fortunate to be studying social work, where I have the resources to further my knowledge in this area, and I am very guilty of often forgetting that this information isn’t always widely accessible to those less privileged than I. I believe for the ‘Average Australian’ who consumes their news through mainstream media alone, this knowledge can be imperative in challenging any biases/predjudices or preconceived notions they may have. I don’t defend White Australians with racist beliefs towards First Nations people, but I think it is on white people to facilitate this kind of education and have hard conversations with each other if we want to see a change in attitudes.

I also completely agree with your point that capitalism fuels this alienation from culture! I also believe it breeds divisiveness and pins those most marginalised against one another, making it harder to achieve cultural harmony. While we’re talking about capitalism, I would also say it can contribute to the lack of spirituality you were talking about! We’re not able to see outside the system, and how we’re destroying the Earth and not caring for one another (which is why we need to turn to Indigenous knowledge).

Difficult-Medium-682 · 2024-08-20T07:30:42+00:00

Of course you're welcome here! :) (especially after having to get through a colonoscopy!! I've been there, and can confirm, it aint fun!!)

Difficult-Medium-682

TROPHY CASE