Racism Or Patriotism?

[Reddie]

A few days ago Reclaim Australia and anti-racist groups clashed when they faced off in Sydney. Earlier in April there were more violent confrontations and it appears like this won't change as long as Reclaim Australia holds rallies which the opposing groups believe stir up hatred against minorities and Muslims.

Do you think Reclaim Australia is a racist group using patriotism to mask their true identity or are they patriots who are concerned about multiculturalism diluting the Australian culture?

 

[jbbarn]

I personally think they are just concerned about losing their country and their culture, to what they perceive to be hostile forces. BTW,
Why are Muslims classed with "minorities," in the context of racism? I hear that term used a lot where it doesn't fit; Women, homosexuals, different religious sects are all being clumped together and dumped on the racism heap. Religions are not confined to any one race, nor are all those other human conditions.

 

[pwarbi]

There's a very fine line between patriotism and racism, and either one can be disguised as the other.

Here in the UK we also have a number of organisations that are set up to encourage English people to stand up against terrorism and the immigration that's affecting our country, but a lot of the time they're just accused of being racist.

It's got to the point now in some parts of England, your not allowed to even fly the English flag because the authorities are worried it will cause racial tensions.

 

[Charles Franklin]

I will agree with pwarbi. The line between patriotism and racism can easily become intertwined. The problem comes in when pride for belonging to a certain nation (or demographic) excludes respect for others who aren't in that nation (or demographic).

 

[Aus22]

I agree that conservative groups like Reclaim Australia do not think they re raciest or even sectarian. They are a minority in demonstations with only 100 in Melbourne. Whenever they appear another far lager group demonstrates against them.
Yet their views are supported by a larger groups. The decision by the Labor Party leader to turn back the boats insupport of the conservative government shows fear of migrants from a different race or religion is very strong.

 

[pocketfullofshells]

Patriotism is one of the things that people need to understand, is rarely lacking in he opposition...the KKK here in the Is Patriotic, the Nazis where as well...they are horrible evil people with horrible ideas...they just have a horrible idea of whats best for the nation.

 

[LilAnn]

Patriotism is one of the things that people need to understand, is rarely lacking in he opposition...the KKK here in the Is Patriotic, the Nazis where as well...they are horrible evil people with horrible ideas...they just have a horrible idea of whats best for the nation.

The Nazi's are a great example of how fine the line can be between patriotic and treason.

 

[Aus22]

Surely if Patriotism is keeping the land for the original inhabitants and banning all migrants we should give Australia back to the aboriginals

 

[pocketfullofshells]

Surely if Patriotism is keeping the land for the original inhabitants and banning all migrants we should give Australia back to the aboriginals

yea but who did they take it from?

 

[GeeCee]

Nowadays, racism and patriotism seem to be two sides of the same coin, or at least, perceived as much. The problem with the perception is difference of opinion is interpreted as intolerance, especially when it's convenient for the other side to claim so.

 

[LilAnn]

Nowadays, racism and patriotism seem to be two sides of the same coin, or at least, perceived as much. The problem with the perception is difference of opinion is interpreted as intolerance, especially when it's convenient for the other side to claim so.

intolerant & a attack. Its rare to see two people, with opposite opinions, discussing things civilly. Even members of the same family. Unfortunately, yu never find out who the patriot is, or who's committing treason until the war is over.

 

[Aus22]

pocketfullof shell, the Aboriginals were in Australia for 40,000 years. There is no record of earlier inhabitants. There may had been tribal fights but the aboriginals as a people appear to be the first on the continent.
Of curse as a stone age hunter and gathers society they could not compete with the white settlers.. In the Secret River by Kate Grevile this conflict is show with both aboriginals and whites claiming this was their land. Farming destroy the supply of yams. The farmer digs them up to plant corn and the aboriginals go hungry. Although the governor made a treaty to stop further settlement in certain areas, white settlement continue in all the fertile areas.

The aboriginal has to adopt to the Western way of life. Many become footballers but even here they are racially attacked. Why a superior economic system would always prevail there is no need for racialism.

 

[AbeLincoln]

A few days ago Reclaim Australia and anti-racist groups clashed when they faced off in Sydney. Earlier in April there were more violent confrontations and it appears like this won't change as long as Reclaim Australia holds rallies which the opposing groups believe stir up hatred against minorities and Muslims.

Do you think Reclaim Australia is a racist group using patriotism to mask their true identity or are they patriots who are concerned about multiculturalism diluting the Australian culture?

I visited Reclaim Australia site. Their statement of 'faith' , practice and principle clearly embrace freedom of speech. Reclaiming the freedom to exercise our unalienable rights of religion. Reclaim isn't contending with the people of Muslim religion. But they specifically mention the Islamic system of law which is unacceptable and intolerable in the Australian way of life.

 

[Aus22]

AbleLincoln. What aspect of the Islamic system of law do reclaim Australia object to. Shari Law will not be proclaim in Australia. The few Islamic laws that exist oare for Muslims only. Many of Australians laws were originally based on cannon law or the Ten Commandments . Do they threaten freedom of speech?

 

[ThirdTerm]

A former member of Reclaim Australia has spoken publicly about how he was duped into joining the group he now believes is racist and potentially violent. He helped promote it on social media, organised one of the group's early rallies in Hobart and even built a website for Mr Burgess called The Great Aussie Patriot, which has since been removed. But Mr Gilhome said the public demands Mr Burgess and the Reclaim Australia group were making became more bizarre as time went by. When he started to see people attend the rallies wearing neo-Nazi tattoos and making threats of violence, he began having second thoughts.
http://www.abc.net.au/news/2015-07-16/former-reclaim-australia-member-apologises-to-muslims/6624384
http://www.abc.net.au/news/2015-07-16/former-reclaim-australia-member-apologises-to-muslims/6624384