Racism In Australia

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Racism, the term used to describe discrimination of a race it condescends people who are victims by disrespecting their identity. Australia’s history is evidently filled with racist attitudes and policies and is fair to state that the peopling process of Australia has been dominated by a racist discourse through the clear myriad of historical events and policies since colonisation in 1788 effectively highlighting the racist views towards non-white races. Such events include the near genocide treatment of indigenous Australians upon arrival, the British control, assimilation and extermination of indigenous people and the exploitation of the Chinese immigrants during the gold rush period. The arrival of immigrants has varied over time. Attitudes…show more content…
This discovery of gold in NSW and VIC, introduced a large amount of Chinese, Indian and Melanesian labours. The labourers were subjects to poor housing, food and wage compared to the white labourers. This increase in Asian and Melanesian immigrants brought about racist thoughts amongst the white people, seen as competitors for work there was a bid to banish the Asians from the goldfields. The Asian immigrants were a cost effective choice for the capitalists, offering high quality work for a small fraction of the ‘white’ wage. The unjustified treatment of the Asian labourers is evidence of the white superiority. Racism as their welfare was not seen as important denying hospitality in an effort to force them back to their own country. Multiculturalism was not recognised in Australia and laws were implemented to uphold…show more content…
The unjust prejudice and discrimination of racial groups, such as the indigenous and the Asian, clearly indicates racist views and beliefs held by the Australian society. This exploitation and destruction of the British throughout time greatly supports the statement that the “peopling” of Australia has been dominated by racism. Furthermore, the federal policies set to allow the restriction of non – white immigrants to Australia indicates the maintenance of a single culture, highlighting the racism within the immigration system. The views of racial discrimination established upon arrival to the Australia continued as a recurring theme through the process of populating Australia. Although, the introduction of anti–racism laws in recent years and the current multicultural attitude of today, the presence of racism within society is still clear. In order for Australia to become a non-racist environment it would require a totally equal environment. Reference list Lyons,M.(2005). Australia’s History Themes and Debates. UNSW: UNSW

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