Sudanese refugees

[LovelyRita]

Does it concern anyone else when the government makes broad and generalised statements against a particular race?

The comments made by the Federal Immigration Minister, Kevin Andrews, I believe were wrong. The new policy seems to be racist. Sudanese people do not have a higher rate of criminal behaviour than the next person.

Should we base who we accept in this country on their desperate need or the supposed need of a wealthy country that should be able to help these people?

[Tam-I-Am]

I think any sweeping generalisation about any group of people based on a superficial characteristic is going to be racist (or ageist, or sexist or etc etc).

I think a LOT of the attitudes that prevail in popular culture in Australia are discriminatory, and the government, past and present (and probably future, truth be told) are very much representative of that fact. I find it disappointing that we, as adults, can't see past superficial characteristics, and take people on their OWN merits...

So, yes, I find it very disturbing.

[LovelyRita]

Thanks for responding Tam-I-Am, I though I was going to be talking to myself then.

[Baldie's Mum]

yes i think it is wrong that there is generalisation of people......but also i think it is human nature to do so.......i am guilty of it. but i try sooooo hard!
There is generalization everywhere.......i have a thread started average australian, generalized there!!!! the labor party has mentioned a few times that they are there for the average aussie.

but i do not think it is wrong to look at an INDIVIDUALS record beofre they immagrate.

[LovelyRita]

Ains, most of them don't even have records. They have been living in a country torn by the longest civil war the world has ever seen. This isn't about immigration, it is about refugees who desperately need help.

[Baldie's Mum]

oh yes i fully understand that and i am thankful EVERY sigle day that i am in a coutry that is in a position to help others because that is what i think being human is!!!!!

But if the country leaders dont check whatever they can they are not doing their job properly....i am sure thats the roll of an imagration minister....

[LovelyRita]

But what this policy is about is not checking the individual out, it is reducing the number of people coming from a specific group.

[Jacks Mummy]

I understand what your saying mrmeanmustard but I feel with ains, I really think that they should find a way to check not just stop them. Alot of these people are good and willing to abide by our rules and laws but there are those that are bringing there country fights in and starting them up here. This is sort of a slap in the face to us who let them come here for the sake of starting a new life away from the trouble of their own countries. I think this is where we may have to take a one strike and your out stand. Lets face it to media doesnt help either.

[draught]

What policies like this overlook is that the majority of crime, violence, etc isn't perpetrated by new immigrants - it is perpetrated by old immigrants - from the 'first settlers' from England, on down. How sad that a whole country of people who are desperate and looking for a better life are tainted by the actions of a minority. Particularly when long term residents of this country behave worse than that on a daily basis. maybe we could kick a few of them out if we are going to take a stand of removing those who carry on fights etc......

[Phyllis Stein]

What policies like this overlook is that the majority of crime, violence, etc isn't perpetrated by new immigrants - it is perpetrated by old immigrants - from the 'first settlers' from England, on down. How sad that a whole country of people who are desperate and looking for a better life are tainted by the actions of a minority. Particularly when long term residents of this country behave worse than that on a daily basis. maybe we could kick a few of them out if we are going to take a stand of removing those who carry on fights etc......

I agree 100%. Unfortunately, it's simply more 'visible' when people from 'different' backgrounds act badly.

I used to manage an op-shop in an area with a high proportion of Sudanese refugees, and was appalled at the racist attitude of some of my older staff. Unfortunately, comments like Kevin Andrews' simply reinforce these kinds of views.