pettiness and meanness vs politically correct

In recent discussions regarding asylum seekers and refugees I've heard the term 'Politically Correct' bandied about as means of censorship. This is making my skin crawl. First let's look at some definitions:

http://www.phrases.org.uk/meanings/287100.html states: Description of the practice of using speech that conforms to liberal or radical opinion by avoiding language which might cause offence to or disadvantage social minorities.

http://www.yourdictionary.com/politically-correct states:

conforming or adhering to what is regarded as orthodox liberal opinion on matters of sexuality, race, etc.: usually used disparagingly to connote dogmatism, excessive sensitivity to minority causes, etc.

http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/politically%20correct : conforming to a belief that language and practices which could offend political sensibilities (as in matters of sex or race) should be eliminated 

As yourdictionary points out the term is now used to disparagingly. So to some out there it's not ok to have a language that is sensitive to minority groups. To some it is seen as a means of censorship. So if someone says, 'You're just a woman', and I take offense it's because I'm too sensitive. If someone says, 'Black people are drug dealers', and I point out it's not ok to group people in that way, I may be attempting to censor their views? If I hear, 'I don't like Muslims because they are all terrorists' is that ok too and what about people who says 'Migrants who come here and don't speak English cause problems'? Am I alone is thinking the logic of this thinking is not quite right?

What about the first European migrants to this land? Did they try and fit in? Did they learn the local language and adopt the inhabitants customs?

I love the diversity in Australia. I love that I can get great food from just about everywhere in the world in one city. I love that my senses come alive when I wonder around different parts of Melbourne. I love the difference I see and hear in the city and its surrounds. I love it when I hear my friends tell me how much they love their kids' classes being multicultural. A new generation mix, learn and relate to each other. Such an image offers hope for a better world. Is there really so much to lose by being tolerant, accepting, sensitive and caring?

On a recent televised discussion about asylum seekers I heard someone say we need to take 'political correctness' out to have an honest discussion. I suggest this would be more an airing of racist, bigoted  views rather than a discussion of the issues involved. 

Malcolm Fraser, in his Australian Refugee Association oration in June this year, said, 'A strong, multicultural Australia that draws strength from its diversity, that debates real issues of importance to ourselves and to common humanity, has contributed so much in the past. It must do so again.

The pettiness and meanness of the current debates about asylum seekers and indeed on other issues that are dealt with on a totally partisan basis must be put aside.'

Hear, hear.

Read more: http://www.theage.com.au/opinion/politics/how-australia-can-solve-its-asylum-seeker-problem-20110624-1gjlt.html#ixzz1RlKZZoHk

Go back or move forward?

It's been an interesting week of driving, writing and viewing. As usual I've covered many kilometers, had much time to think and take in the diversity of Melbourne and its suburbs.
I watched SBS's 'Go Back to Where You Came From' and I'm not sure how I feel. Don't get me wrong, I'm in no way against asylum seekers and I'd like to find work supporting refugees. I have a problem with reality style television and 'social experiments'. When some of the participants spoke to the camera in their introductions, sharing their views and beliefs, I felt ill and ashamed for them. When they were told the boat was never really under threat of sinking or catching fire I felt very concerned. Were the producers of the show serious? Could they re-enact a situation and think this would show the 'asylum seeker' experience, as if you could ignore individual plights and say "this is how it is"  and change people's beliefs by forcing them to experience the same thing? A manufactured situation at that. The raid on a construction sight in Malayasia sickened me and I wondered if I was correct in thinking some of the participants were helping to locate runaways. Was it ok to put them into a refuge camp in Africa? People there filmed as a mass of nameless faces. Was their consent given? What about their safety? Who's coming to get them out? The women in the Congo sang the happy song about how they will not be raped. Was an 'Other' created or did people really see individuals and struggles with freedom?
 Raquel said at one stage she wasn't brought up like these people so it was harder for her, suggesting they were used to it and the camp situation was normal for the sea of nameless faces. It reminded me of those ads from my childhood asking for donations to help famine victims. I was so used to seeing african people in deserts and 'camps' I didn't know it wasn't normal. When I was older I understood that they had been forced into these situations due to political reasons. Were viewers horrified when they heard the stories of toture, the scars and injuries suffered by bombing victims and the familes left behind to struggle or are they desensitised and see an unidentified group rather then individuals suffereing enormously? Do they know that the violent behiviour in detentions centres is not about genetics or culture but rather a reaction to the conditons and delays of detention? Do they know Australia takes in less than our quota of refugees? In 2010, Australia accepted 0.03% of the world’s refugees, asylum seekers and displaced people; of the 43.3 million refugees globally, we took just 13 750 http://www.asrc.org.au/media/documents/myths-facts-solutions-summary-sheet.pdf 
 What I found most interesting from this show was how people justify their beliefs and how they can change them. The show has been very successful in providing a forum for the debate and hopefully insighting people to get involved, be informed and  care about the policies regarding aslyum seekers and the proposal our government puts forward in dealing with the 'problem'.


I cringe when I think of the international coverage we have received and how the rest of the world views Australia as a racist and homophobic country with a shocking human rights history. As I drive around the city and surrounding suburbs I see so much more.

Some weeks are longer than others

Wednesday already and I think I've driven close to 200 k and I still have many more to do. This week is particularly long, in the car that is. Perhaps I'll start to enjoy driving. But I know the dog won't. That's another fight I'll lose. I guess I'm lucky she's happy with me carrying her up and down the stairs. I think she might be ready for a parapet and perhaps a tiara or fan. Well, I guess, tiara as it is a bit chilly. 

I'm wonder if the cat has a thyroid problem. He's a bit chunky for a little guy and he doesn't seem to eat that much, that I know of. Maybe he's a successful hunter in the backyard. He practises plenty on the dogs and the furniture inside. Someone suggested I start taking him for walks with the dogs. But with two tangling leashes and all the carrying involved I can only see such a venture meeting an unpleasant end- for me.
https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.226083397215.172150.691912215#!/

and so it begins

I'm here now. It's all systems go. I'm 40 now and there is no turning back.
A bit about about me to get this started: I worry about children; I worry about the planet; I worry about all the people not worrying; I worry about 'But' and 'And' starting sentences.
My dog had knee surgery almost 2 weeks ago. She can't run for at least a another 4 weeks. I don't know how to tell her. The vet had the same problem. So I've been trying to fit in writing between carrying her up and down the stairs and trying to reason with her. Somehow I think I'll lose on the reasoning, but I'm putting in a good fight for the stairs.
 I grew up in a house with no stairs. I think it had one step. I used to envy people who had houses with staircases, leading to new places. It was exotic to me. Now I live in a house with too many stairs with a dog I have to carry up and down for another 4 weeks. https://www.facebook.com/pages/Seema-Maharaj/152524581486553