Until we can defend ourselves, we’re not all equal

Speaking out against racism is lauded – unless you’re of color, it says Leon David.

TUESDAY MORNING, Raf Epstein ABC Melbourne morning to show He interviewed David Thiel. Thiel is a white, bald man with a mustache (similar to Thomas Sewell) and chose to interrupt a media event. criticize Because of the Sewell character and his overtly racist ideology. Other than the similar physical appearance, it’s clear that Thiel is no Sewell. As he says, most Australians have heritage from other countries and there is no room for hatred.

Despite the Prime Minister Anthony AlbaneseIn the face of Bay’s indifferent reaction to Thiel’s actions on Raf’s show, Thiel did the right thing. He showed courage. He showed his dignity. He showed courage. He was criticized and intimidated. But he chose to remain true to himself and his actions. This is the kind of inspiration Australia needs.

For a black person, the rapid rise of the far right, including the alarming rise of the potential One Nation vote, means a new era is upon us where people will freely criticize us and challenge our very right to even exist in this country. There have always been elements of this, but now it’s front and center, with early opinion polls showing just how dire things have become.

For people like me, when I see a white man with a shaved head and a moustache, I can’t help but think he must be a supporter of Sewell’s views. In this case, I was wrong, and Thiel’s actions gave me hope. His actions also led to some regret; After all, I was stereotyping just like racists. A lesson I need to pay attention to.

Despite my joy at Thiel’s actions, there is also disappointment. Because I, and many others like me, know that if we had reacted similarly, the reaction and subsequent media scrutiny would have been very different.

Our anger might have been a convenient excuse for the media to buy into the trope of the angry Indian or the dark-skinned person who doesn’t know his place. It’s unlikely these words will be used, but the theme will be pretty obvious. Be quiet, dark human, and be happy to be here. This isn’t the first time we visible immigrants have had to have a non-threatening white face speak on our behalf.

A long time ago, ABC’s then-chief political correspondent, Laura Tingle He declared Australia a “racist country”. He spoke at the 2024 Sydney Writers Festival and made the comments in response to Peter Dutton’s budget response, in which he laid out the blame firmly for immigration-related property issues. On a later occasion, in response to Bob Katter’s outburst after being questioned about his Lebanese heritage, numerous commentators, including Craig Foster, rightly condemned his behavior.

Both Laura Tingle and Craig Foster It was absolutely true. Some may not have agreed with their views and thought they were inflammatory and potentially divisive. But both of them, and many others, were clearly expressing what most of us were really thinking. The difference is that most of us don’t feel safe enough to talk, while Tingle and Foster felt no such reluctance.

And the reason they can talk (and most of us can’t) is simple. Because they are white.

Australians aren’t very good at dealing with criticism of their country, but to be fair I can’t think of any group of people who would do that. Although criticism is rarely welcomed, it seems to be accepted that the person criticizing is seen as a “typical” Australian. Laura Tingle, Paul Daley, Craig Foster and now David Thiel; They are all “typical” looking Australians.

But shame on any black person who expresses any criticism of this country; When such people criticize Australia, they are seen as ungrateful to a country that accepts them. They are seen as traitors. And in many cases, the fact that such people express their outspoken views supports the racists’ view that such people should not be allowed to live here anyway.

take the case Paul Daley.

Daley is a socially progressive columnist who voices compelling views whether criticizing the mythologisation of Australian military history, supporting The Voice or offering thoughtful commentary on immigration and the treatment of the indigenous community. Not only does he continue to write, he also continues to challenge. His voice is needed.

Buy now case By Yassmin Abdel-Magied. In 2017, around Anzac Day, he shared the text “Let us not forget. (Manus, Nauru, Syria, Palestine)”. Note that he was not criticizing the Anzacs. All it did was try to raise the profile of other atrocities happening around the world. His post triggered outrage, with threats of violence and racism, and led him to leave Australia altogether. His voice is also needed but it is lost.

Racism and bullying led one of our most important voices to flee the country. However, in my opinion, Paul Daley, who has written much more critically about Anzac history, continues to evolve and, in my opinion, continues to provide much needed social commentary and criticism. The difference between the two is quite clear. One is colored and the other is white.

Despite intense anti-immigration pressure from the media and right-wing parties such as One Nation, Australia likes to see itself as the epitome of egalitarianism and equality. Until people of all backgrounds are given an equal voice, this claim cannot stand scrutiny. Most of the time white people are given freedom of speech.

While this is not denied to people of color, the harsh words that accompany people of color expressing their honest opinions deter others from doing the same. The thing is, unless white people speak out to protect immigrants and other marginalized groups, the message doesn’t gain traction.

People of color like me need to rely on typically white Australians to advance their perspectives. If we trust ourselves, we are told to “go back where we came from” even though in most cases the place we came from is the local hospital down the road. People of color aren’t really allowed to speak with true honesty. While many of us have lived here for several generations, we need to remember that we are lucky to be here and the subtext is always to “know our place.” Be part of the country, but do not dare to criticize it.

The ideas of people like Tingle, Daley, Foster and Thiel are needed. They raise issues that many of us are afraid to express. They all speak, write, act with passion, evidence, and raise the profile of issues that would otherwise be forgotten. But for those of us who are black, it’s a shame that we rely on them to speak for us.

Until we all speak in a manner befitting a country that prides itself on the same level of immunity and freedom of expression, claims of equality cannot stand scrutiny.