what causes racial tension and what could be done to ease it?????

[law3]

I have started this thread because i feel it is an important subject. Please dont leave examples of how you/someone else have been discrimated against as this is counter productive. Just an honest and open debate please.

Sofia, in law3's defence I think that she has openly said she is concerned that her views may be racist. And she's been brave enough to start this thread and have her views challenged.

I also think that as Aussies and Americans we are probably used to high levels of immigration from other countries because that's how its always been (at least in our life time - the White Australia policy is a whole other issue!). From my close group of friends at school I was the only one who had both parents born in Australia - but that was the norm so it wasn't something I ever thought about.

Thanks for clarifying, potoroo and glad to hear re the handbook.

Are you in labour? Always took me a while to decide!

I dont have big words to use im not interested in politic's,religion,socioeconomics or history when it comes to speaking on racisim keep things simple, and rather then focusing on the cause's find it more productive to think on solutions.This thread asked what could it be that influence's racisim and what could be done to help stop it.I can form an opinion on cause without going into my own countries history or political standings or statistics.
The answer to what may be behind racisim is within this thread!

Difference's of strong opinions,personal experiences and beliefs.

What can help bridge the gap? Education in my opinion for example I will not be teaching my children that maori people are violent drug abusing alcoholic's just because I was brought up with a maori father and uncles just like that.

Im not religious(agnostic fence sitter actually) but doesn't it say in the bible that you are judged by your actions! not what color your skin is.

Expecting tighter regulations on immagration from your government because you as the average everyday person may see the strain on local environment and amenities does not make you a racist.

lol my post is so lame I need to learn bigger words

No worries Actually there's a lot of funny stuff in the handbook - like the correct etiquette in pubs - what to do if you accidently spill someone's drink etc.

Hopefully not in labour. I have no kitchen and an assignment due at the end of the week. I was induced the first time, so I'm not really sure what to expect... I guess if a baby comes out then I'll know ;)

JustBreathe ... but we don't expect much from Kiwis . Good post though - I agree.

Sofia - no i wasnt aware that many immigrants are not allowed to work and have to take benefits, whys that??

Your comments 'I think that you need to stop making assumptions that are based on your narrow experience and understanding of the world. And a little more tolerance of the different ways of doing things in the world would be really productive'

Are you yourself not making assumptions about me. Are you yourself not being intolerant of anyone not expressing the same views. This is exactly what im trying to avoid, as it is unproductive. I think the fact that i am prepared to challenge my views and listen to other people and try to learn something, makes me far from narrow minded.

Potoroo - lighthearted comment about immigrationist Youve added some good points, im learning!!!!

Justbreath - your comments are fine, dont have to use big words to get your point across!!!

I was thinking if we have a better understanding of what causes racism, it would be easier to find solutions.

madam - Obviously we cant deport them. What to do with the Brits is a whole different thread, although i have already ackowledged we have far too many committing crime, etc.

British committing crime is getting totally out of hand and when they are caught they get off so lightly because prisions are so overcrowded. In the first 6 months of last year, 22,000 crimes were committed by immigrants in London alone, so is immigration adding to the problem?????

i am not claiming to be right about anything, just an honest debate!!!!

Sofia - my comment about English language classes for immigrants who cant speak English was a suggestion to help intrigration, must be hard to intrigrate if you dont speak the language. i also believe that immigrants should be able to maintain their own identity and social group membership ie 'mix with their own kind'.

Oregonian - You make a lot of sense and have come across really well, totally unbiased view point and i agree.

Some people seem to feel they have to take sides when debating about this subject, which turns it into a competition of who is the most/less racist, which adds to racial tension.

Do you feel the government adds to tension, by spending public money on minority ethnic groups from only one race, instead of using that money to bring communities together?

potoroo - one last thing, before i get back to work, nm is addictive, isnt it!! you seem to know about this subject, so are probably the best person to ask.

It was my understanding that Britain can't stop people coming here: they have an automatic right to reside in the UK for three months????? (that came from the Home Office by the way)

potoroo - so perhaps my concerns should be with illegal immigrants, then as oppose to immigrants, is that realistic to be concerned with illegal immigrants?

wey hey did i just learn something

Perhaps your concern should be with your job that you are geting paid to do instead of chatting on mumsnet. One nice thing about non-english speaking uneducated workers is that they don't spend all day on my dime playing on the computer.

Oh Sofia darling, so glad to hear that the 'unenglish speaking, uneducated workers' make your world a better place by cleaning your loo.

When i said get back to work i meant getting back to my housework, cleaning my own loo unfortunately, as ive taken the day off work.

Thanks for the concern anyway.

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