RACISM
1. DEFINITION
The Macquarie Dictionary defines racism as:
1. The belief that human races have distinctive characteristics which determine their respective cultures, usually involving the idea that one’s own race is superior and has the right to rule or dominate others.
2. Offensive or aggressive behaviour to members of another race or people stemming from such a belief.
3. A policy or system of government and society based upon such a belief.
2. BIBLE REFERENCE
There is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. Galatians 3:28
In the Bible, the divine purpose is intended for all humanity. The promise of redemption given to Abraham in Genesis 12:3 says, “all peoples on earth will be blessed through you”. The New Testament affirms God’s intention to save people of all races, cultures, and ethnic groups. God has called the church to embrace those of other races and to seek unity with them.
Christian ethics is the study of personal character and social values. Growing past prejudice, and honourable handling of race relations are a vital part of all Christian relationships and attitudes. The early church consisted mainly of people of the Jewish race, which was proud of its special relationship with God, and consequently looked down on people of other races. God had to show the early Christians that all races were acceptable to Him. Read about Peter’s struggles in the Book of Acts, Chapters 10 and 11. In some parts of the world Christians are still having to be challenged for their old, prejudiced ideas.
3. FACTS
·Immigrants come to Australia from over 150 people groups of the world – over six million immigrants since World War II have made Australia their home.
·More than 200 languages are spoken in Australia.
·An average of 100,000 immigrants come to Australia annually.
·43% of the Australian population was born overseas, or have a parent who was.
·The current make up of the population is 74% Anglo-Celtic, 19% other European, 4.5 % Asian, and 2.4 % Aboriginal.
4. FEDERAL POLICY
In the colonial days there was resentment from Anglo-Celtic and northern European mining, farm, and factory workers about the fierce competition for jobs from Chinese and Pacific Islanders, because they would work more cheaply. The Commonwealth of Australia formulated a “White Australia” policy from its inception in 1901, which favoured immigration only from certain countries. This was firmly supported by the community for many decades thereafter. Reinforcing that stand in 1941 Prime Minister Curtin said “this country shall remain forever the home of the descendants of those people who came here in peace in order to establish an outpost of the British race.”
What finally changed was the need for a larger population, so the government began to relax its requirements as additional migrants were sought. In 1949, as its first step towards non-discrimination, 800 non-European refuges were permitted to remain in the country, and Japanese war brides were allowed in. The restrictions continued to ease in small increments, to the point that non-European immigration began to increase in 1966. Acceptance was to be based on ‘suitability as settlers, ability to integrate readily, and possession of qualifications needed by Australia for development’. An aggressive recruitment scheme including assisted passage was targeted at residents of the United Kingdom, American ex-servicemen, and resistance fighters from northern Europe, amongst other places. Other, informal migration agreements were reached with Yugoslavia, Turkey, Spain, Greece and Austria depending on changing humanitarian and economic factors over this time period. These various schemes have long since ceased.
In l978, after a comprehensive review of immigration, the Federal Government adopted a policy of “multiculturalism”. This new policy encouraged migrants to maintain their cultural identities, promoted equal opportunity and access to services. This embrace and respect for all cultures was intended to establish the foundation for an enlightened Australian society free of racism.
In January 2007, the Federal Government indicated that the policy of multiculturalism, as an ideal, will remain, but that there will be a change of emphasis towards a “shared national identity” based on a “core set of values”, so that, hopefully, there will be more social cohesion between all the disparate groups.
5. NSW STATE POLICY
New South Wales was the first State to adopt multiculturalism. In l999, the NSW Government changed the title of the Ethnic Affairs portfolio to the Citizenship portfolio and it replaced the Ethnic Affairs Commission with a new Community Relations Commission. The new Act restated the principles of cultural diversity as principles of multiculturalism. In 2004, the NSW Government released its Ethnic Affairs Action Plan 2012. Interestingly, a public opinion poll held in NSW, after the 2005 race-oriented riots in the Sydney suburb of Cronulla, found that 81 per cent still supported the ideals of multiculturalism.
6. WHY ARE SOME CHRISTIANS RACIST?
In the February 2008 issue of his weekly electronic newsletter, Christian Voice in Politics, Dr Gordon Moyes AC MLC offered the following reasons for otherwise good Christian people sometimes being racist:
·They may lack education, and may never have had to think in a disciplined manner.
·They may just accept whatever someone else says.
·They may not be employed and are therefore faced with idleness; falling victim to “the devil who finds mischief for idle hands to do.” They need to channel their energies into useful undertakings.
·They may fear someone else in society is receiving an advantage they do not get, which is the fruit of envy.
·They may have a poor understanding of Scripture, and never come to grips with the meaning behind Jesus’ parable of “The Good Samaritan” about helping those in need, whoever they are.
·They may lack trust in God, thinking they would rather trust their own feelings, prejudices and limitations rather than believe God’s promises.
·They may distrust consecrated, committed Christian scholars who tell them their attitudes and thoughts are misguided.
·Their insecurity, obsessiveness and lack of trust may perhaps point to deeper emotional issues.
·They may harbour fear of the unknown, including people with alien practices, religions, languages, and customs.
7. WHAT CAN WE DO?
There will not be social harmony as long as any Australians, either born here or from other countries, think their own group is superior to all the others. The answer is not to ignore difference but to look at it in a positive, biblically informed way. A recent book by African-American pastor and author David Anderson, “Gracism, The Art of Inclusion”, offers these acts of social inclusion for you to consider incorporating into your own life:
1.Say “I will lift you up.” Try lifting up all fellow citizens in your prayer life.
2.Say “I will cover you.” Act to protect the most vulnerable from embarrassment; respecting others’ reserve, and uncertainty of their place in a new culture.
3. Say “I will share with you.” Refuse to accept special treatment if it is at the detriment of others who need it. Recognise the privileges that you have as a member of a majority.
4. Say “I will honour you.” Strive to honour and consider others.
5. Say “I will stand with you.” When the majority helps the minority, and the stronger help the weaker, it keeps us from division within society.
6. Say “I will consider you.” Have a heart as big for our neighbours as we do for ourselves. That is, an equal concern for their wellbeing, and the common good.
7. Say “I will celebrate with you.” When others are successful, we are to rejoice with them.
8. REFERENCES
Macquarie Dictionary (2007)
http://www.macquariedictionary.com.au
Australian Federal Department of Citizenship and Immigration
http://www.immi.gov.au/
Community Relations Commission for a Multicultural NSW
http://wwwcrcnsw.gov.au
Australian Bureau of Statistics
http://www.abs.gov.au
Gracism: The Art of Inclusion David A. Anderson (IVP Books, 2007)
