It was the 26 of January, 2010, where Australia was celebrating its heritage, tradition and culture. The Australian Day was being celebrated in an atmosphere of great gusto and zeal until the riot squad had taken place. In the midst of the celebration of the momentous day there was something different going on . "a Southern Cross tattooee with a shirt proudly stating "We Grew Here, You Flew Here" or a slogan "F--- Off, We're Full" written on some flag-clad 15-year-old bogan's chest". Perception as we know is the process by which we make sense of the world around us. What sense or conclusion can one come up with after they read such slogans? Unfortunately even the internet's freedom opens up doors to racism such as currently there are groups on Facebook such as " Mate speak english ,you're in Australia now". Here we see how the concept of " Interpretation " plays a very important role. It helps us to "interpret" the cause and effects and gives us a more subjective point of view in a communication interaction
Keeeping in mind the thesis of this post which is of racism, this post is meant to interpretthe relation of interpretation and racism, keeping in mind the racist happenings in Australia as an example. Racism in general is merely a way to express things the way they are given. Australia's population is growing so there is a range of different nationalities in the country .Everyday we hear about legal immigrants, illegal immigrants, and unfair happenings due to racism. The success of communication and interaction within these different cultural groups highly depends on the attitude and value of people towards different groups. For example the group on facebook " Mate speak english, you're in Australia now" shows how english has been potrayed as the only form of communication in terms of linguistic minorities which in a way is the lost of recognition of the right of all citizens to speak their heritage language. English without any doubt is important and the universal language for communication but such phrases or groups on facebook makes on think about how their identity is being shaped by the use of language.
Interpretation in mass communication is generally based on four aspects that is of
-Cultural differences
- Nonverbal cues
-Individual characteristics
-Perceptual sets
The following four play a very important role in trying to further accentuate my topic such as cultural differences shows how people mostly dont know a lot about cultures other than there's which is the prime cause of racism
Nonverbal cues is like the shirt mentioned above " We grew here , you flew here" which speaks volumes about how racism has manifested in today's day and age.
Individual characteristics defines how every person is different pertaining to their culture and the society that one lives and the social constraints that one accepts. People should be accepted the way they are and to fight against racism we have to get to know each other and learn about each other's culture
Perceptual sets again focuses on the very fact that however different everyone is in their thinking and perception in life, at the end we all have the same worries.
Source: http://www.smh.com.au/opinion/society-and culture/white-power-likes-this--rascist-facebook-groups-20100203-nd7bl.html
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I guess the root to racism could be because people are unwilling or aren't ready for a change in their society and country. Because of this, they 'shut off' their communication channel with people who are not of their nationality, race or culture. Instead of voicing out their concern and unhappiness, some resort to violence and that broadens the social distance between the 2 groups.
ReplyDeleteIn addition to Hanaan's comment, racism could also be due to extremely bad past experiences.
ReplyDeleteAn 'Australian Australia' has always been a long standing issue for our friends down under. The national debate, 'Populate or Parish' brought up a few months back, goes to show how critical the topic of national identity is.
Therefore, I am not surprise at the angst of some of the locals as described in your article. If such verbal and non verbal cues of communication are not controlled or reasoned with, Australia's simmering volcano may soon erupt and explode.
And that's not good.
Hey you guys thanks for commenting. I totally agree with the both of you. My response to hanaan is that our soicety has already progressed to change. The world is changing faster than ever.Its not about the change that we are waiting for.The change has happened, the only thing that is lacking is to ADAPT to these changes. Racism has continued to pervade our society.Its a complex issue and as Mellisa said if not controlled it may soon erupt and explode.Either people should be more sensible and reason things out, change their perception or the government should take a stand an try to change things.For example Obama's presidenly in the United States doesnt end racism in America but it could alter the ways American African view themselves.You never know what elections do change but one thing is for sure is that they change a person's state of mind
ReplyDeleteRacism is simply pathetic. Just a bunch of low life, complexed morons who promote themselves by putting down others. It's sad how even in the 21st century a persons physical appearance (simply the color of their skin) is the sole basis on how they are judged. In my opinion, perhaps if these people were to be educated in a multi-cultural environment things would be a little different. Taking American history into account, I cannot help but to wonder if American's could elect an African-American to become president and trust him to lead one of the most powerful countries in the world, who knows what the future has in store for us.
ReplyDeleteMalika...
ReplyDeleteThere are talks of how racism has progressed and its origins but now a days few things are being done in society to actually change the situation at hand. People forget that we get it...theres racism but where to go from here now?
I believe media plays a huge role in it. Simple films like "Girls six" play such a huge role in the minds of the average man. But media I believe is not the origin of racism but actually plays a part in MAINTAINING it.
However, we cannot expect a radical change in the media so quick. The best solution is to have an open mind and to be CRITICAL VIEWERS. We should not take everything at face value but see who made the film? What hidden message were they trying to give out?
Racism is a problem but agreeing with you INTERNALIZED RACISM is a bigger one and we should move ahead and change how we process certain things we watch.
Yumna
malika, as you know i study in australia and yes, this was an issue. Also, not only does media play a role in changing the way people think , but it is also the root that generates the thought.
ReplyDeleteSome things are not meant to be changed and infact cant be changed.Racism is such an issue. It all depends on the person and their approach to life and what their mentality. Its an understatement to say that all Australians are bad just cause of a few immature people who have no perception.
ReplyDeleteI feel that the whites in Australia are seriously getting carried away. First and foremost, they are immigrants too. They weren't the indigenous people, so who are they to deny immigrants now? Anyway, it would not make economic sense to deny immigrants from entering and working in any country. Every country needs them, be it to take on jobs the locals disdain or to contribute as an expatriate.
ReplyDeleteIt would help the situation in Australia if everyone tried to look at things in different perspectives instead of being blinded by their prejudices and personal grievances.
The mates in Australia are becoming closed society so as not to accept any other people into their country. However, the finger also points back to the fact that they are also immigrants to the land and that Australia belongs to the Aboriginals. In this case, the Australians are being self-centered and their views are very narrowed. If they want a more peaceful country, they should aim to change their perspective.
ReplyDeleteMinah.. I know its shocking and sad to see that people in today's day and age judge a person just by their skin color. Its a pity on how some people can be so narrow minded
ReplyDeleteI completely agree I think it’s a great progress in today’s society .President Obama has shown such courage and has not turned his back on any of them.
Hi yumna.. Hmm about the origin of racism, i personally think that its just this concept created by people as in if you come and think of it the wars , conflicts are the building stones to such an issue. It starts of as something small and a generalization and then turns out to be a big issue.
ReplyDeleteI kinda disagree with your mention about " critical viewers" .Dont you think if we are more critical in viewing things and judging a person , the less open minded we will become?
I agree, people have to change their approach in processing things. There shouldnt be a judgement for everything. People should accept each other the way they are..
Yes, Have you ever witnessed such an issue happening? Media definitely does have a role in influencing a person’s behaviour. But since your living there , when you mention the media? What exactly are you referring to ? Which part of media?
ReplyDeleteTrue, its an understatement to say that a certain group of people are bad just because of few immature people who belong to the group .
ReplyDeleteExactly my point, they have this fear that immigrants might take over their country. They wouldn’t move forward or develop as a county if the government doesn’t take an action. Its high time that something is done, ( I wish I could say before things get out of hand , but that I guess has happened already
ReplyDeleteYes.At the end of it not only does Australia suffer, it affects the whole world. Things land up in a havoc. The way " some " people are reacting to their environment focuses on how its more of a personal issue , an opinion of a certain person's that can be changed. the cause of such a behaviour is due to the person's attitude and approach not the situation.
ReplyDeleteRacism is just a very intense topic. Trying to even put an end to it is difficult and pratically impossible as it is based on an opinion which has mentally been designed in a person's mind. How many opinions or people are we going to change.
ReplyDeleteI believe that racism could also be a result of people resisting to accept change as well. With technology spreading and culture becoming more diverse, people of all races travel around the world and spread their different views. Some may not appreciate this, maybe because it is an "ego issue" or, as aforementioned, these "racists" simply make themselves feel superior by putting others, who are part of another culture, down.
ReplyDelete