Riots in Sydney's beaches

Something i posted in response to an AIESEC.net discussion



Hi all,
Just to give an Australian perspective on this situation. Yes, there have been riots in a few of Sydney’s major beaches over the past two weeks. The situation began when a group of Lebanese youth attacked a local life-guard after his shift had finished. With racial tension within the area being an omni-present problem on many of Sydney's beaches, this attack was the ‘straw that broke the camel’s back’ and so literally thousands of enraged white Australians flocked to the streets of Cronulla beach in ‘defence’ of their beach and community. Waving Aussie flags and yelling racist chants, people began attacking anyone of middle-eastern or ethnic appearance.

When I first heard the news, I felt utterly ashamed to call myself an Australian. This sort of behaviour is so unconscionable that it has shaken the whole of Sydney to its very core as many find it hard to believe that such venomous racism can exist here in Australia. Different ethnic groups have always had their problems, but this is the first time that the tension has spilled over like this, and it has made many people question what Australian values really are- multiculturalism? Tolerance? Easy-going?

However, there is great hope in this tragedy. Not four days after the violence first broke out, Islamic communities, Christian churches and communities, rival gang groups and members of different ethnic groups have joined hands in the pursuit of peace. Many people in these communities, particularly those around the affected beaches have put aside their differences and taken an active step to stem the violence and create a new, better relationship.

Fortunately, it would appear that their efforts are working as well. The violence is dying down, though with the weekend approaching this could change. Either way, the effort that these groups have put in is, in my opinion, inspiring, and reminded me that there is still hope.

As for AIESEC Australia’s response to this, we have really have not begun to properly discuss it, though I think we should be. So much of AIESEC’s impact is through the sharing of culture, the building of ties between nations, the sharing of ideas from different perspectives. With so many young people involved in these riots, AIESEC has a responsibility to address these issues in a meaningful and relevant way.

Perhaps Australia can partner with the local councils of Cronulla, Maroubra and Bondi and create a PBoX aimed at educating high-school youth on the beauty of ethnic cultures, the value that diversity can bring, the role of multiculturalism in Australian society and the responsibility that each young person has to contribute to strong, united community, regardless of race. They could tour schools, give presentations at community halls, assist local councils in developing on-going multicultural eduction programs, mentor youth affected by this situation and much more.

This is just a small suggestion, but I think this is the direction that we should be looking if we are to do our part as AIESECers. Events such as these break down communities, but like a forest after a fire, destruction creates the opportunity for re-creation. AIESEC can and should contributing to that re-building process so that what is created is all the stronger. Our contribution as culturally sensitive, internationally minded young people is more important than we sometimes think.

Regards from down under :)

Ralph

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