No sweat Rifty, I think we are actually somewhat close in our views, although I think I did not express my views as clearly as you have done.
I too deplore bigots and racists.
The point I was trying to make in my post was that racism is different to ethnocentricity - I am definitely not racist, but am strongly ethnocentric, I don't judge or value people on the basis of where they or their parents are born (a racist view) but on the way they exhibit their culture and values (their behaviour)
I also deplore multiculturism - to me it is devisive, and must surely end in outright violence and cross culture hatred. It is about people not respecting their host nation, about bringing their past learning and values to a new land in a way that is destructive and prevents or delays buttimulation.
Simply put, I believe that if you want to be an Italian, or a Lebonese, or a Greek, or a whatever, then stay in your own country. If you want to emigrate to Australia then learn about our values and preferred way of life, and be prepared to adopt and value them. If they are not to your liking then do not come.
Racism is about what the person is, culture is about what they think and feel. No one should be blamed or disparaged for who they are, only for what they do or fail to do - ie their behaviour. And behaviour, unlike race, is a choice.
Ignoring the idiots and thugs that behaved atrociously at Cronulla, to me the protest wasn't about people being Lebonese, (eg racist) it was about standing up to people who behaved in an unacceptable manner when the authorities failed to deal with the problem.
David
Rifty
