Where is the Love? Lovers and Fighters Leave The Surf

December’s race riots may have been the most talked about issue of late; but the Far Side hasn’t yet had their say – and our opinion will no doubt be the minority, and far from the religious sidelining that most have taken.

So what to do of the now multicultural ‘problem’ that has arisen from the ‘postmodern, post-imperial, post-colonial utopia of difference and embrace, [that has thrown] off the heavy historical shackles of the White Australia policy and the Aboriginal genocides that dogged the image of the ‘lucky country’’ as the idealistic Remy Low has announced?

Though firstly, is this really the case? Are the ‘journeys’ really over Remy? Has ‘everyone arrived’? Of course they have, but they haven’t forgotten where they came from (and neither should they), but surely second; third generations of Lebanese immigrants must now acknowledge both their cultural history and that yes; in fact, they are, unfortunately, Australians.

How many school soccer matches have ended in the Penrith team shouting to the predominantly white, and appropriately-collared, Mountains’ students - ‘LEBANON!’, before punches are thrown as cousin for cousin represent each other. How many of these kids have even ever been to Lebanon? Of course one must not abandon their ethnicity; but it is this very distinction that causes this trouble.

Has there not been a place in Aussie mateship long reserved for men and women of every colour, race, and belief? In separating themselves from the ‘Aussies’ and claiming Lebanon is their true home (regardless of being born in Australia) aren’t they not creating a distinction, and therefore an enemy?

Of course Anglo-Saxon Australians contribute to the distinction, as the territorialisation of December’s riots clearly depicted, but the occasion was the head of conflicts that have been brewing for years in this apparently happy multicultural family that is Australia.

No matter what the government says as it continues to push its policy, is multiculturalism working? No, and the recent riots are not the only tell-tale; just the only incident to receive mass media attention.

Who’s to blame? Everyone. Did it really take this long to acknowledge the problem? The tight ethnic communities that are created in Sydney are only further alienating foreign people and emphasising the distinction between the groups and Anglo-Saxon Australians.

The riots have now only shown the stupidity of some Anglo-Saxon males and how little it takes to sink to the level of the original perpetrators.

Shame on us, all of us.