Cronulla riots: Your thoughts

Tuesday December 13, 2005

The bashing of two lifeguards at Sydney’s Cronulla beach last week has sparked ugly race-related rioting in several Sydney suburbs.

Do these incidents point to a much wider problem across Australia?

A selection of your letters have been published below. We have been overwhelmed with responses so please be patient as we add your comments over the next day or so.

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I am directing this message to all you RACIST people who believe you can justify violence because it suits your needs. In case you don’t already know there is such a thing as the police, who are here to deal with thugs that break the law. I was born in Australia of Lebanese background and I am proud of it. I should not be attacked just because two stupid youths whose actions were disgraceful by assaulting two life guards a week ago, the number of other trouble makers who go to Cronulla or the idiots who gang raped a girl a few years ago. Would it be fair to judge all Anglo Saxons on the actions of Robert Potter (who was convicted yesterday of sexually assaulting young boys) or perhaps Ivan Milat? NO! All those people who turned out at Cronulla on Sunday to assault innocent people just because they looked like or they were Arabs are just as bad as those thugs who assaulted the guards weeks ago. Stop being hypocrites by justifying your dreadful actions by pretending that Sunday was a success because it wasn’t. What a shameful time for Australia.
Name witheld, NSW

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It’s time the media stops calling the recent events ‘race riots’ and stops talking about so called ‘communities’. I happen to be born with white skin, blond hair and blue eyes. But does that make me a part of the ‘white’ community? My ‘community’ contains everyone who enjoys his own life without harming anyone else, regardless the colour of the skin, cultural background or religious background! My buther is Chinese, my deli shop is Lebanese, my grocer is Greek….. That’s ‘my community’! What we’re dealing with here is a bunch of thugs fighting another bunch of thugs. Get these morrons of the street and ‘my community’s’ beaches and let’s get on with our lives!
Stuart, NSW

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Shame on all you idiots that participated in the rioting mobbing crap, whether you are “Aussie” or “of Middle Eastern descent”. People should not be singled out by others because they LOOK like they might be a trouble maker or of Arab descent. The idiots that rioted at Cronulla should have either been out looking for the exact group of thugs or just left it up to the police. Instead heaps of innocent people were targeted. The same goes to the Lebanese and tryhards that battered everyones cars and also attacked innocent people … what did that acheive? More trouble and more fuel to the fire.. good on you. It all comes down to uneducated minority groups of ANY race who need to go back to mummy and daddy to be discplined and to be taught right from wrong. I cant believe Australia came to this…disgusting.
Athena, NSW

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The attacks against ‘people of middle eastern appearance’ on Sunday were disgusting. These people, who claim they are defending the ‘Aussie’ way of life, are lower than scum. It is sparked by ignorance. It is a lame generalisation that all people of this background are evil. there are good and bad amongst all of us. They were the bad 5000 or so ‘white’ Australians. Coming from a Turkish background, i have never been taught to be racist, ever. however if it needs to be said…we came in planes.
Hasret, Victoria

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It breaks my heart to think that innocent civilians who have nothing to do with gangs or violence have had to suffer consequences of a few racist people. As far as I’m concerned it’s not standing up for what’s right … it’s stooping to an all-new low. What if the lady that was bashed was pregnant? What has her child done? What about those who may look slightly Lebanese but aren’t? What right do these yobbo excuses for Aussies have to bash and torture anyone they wish? They are not showing that we as Australians are better than that … we’re showing we’re just the same, even worse. Grow up and stop being so un Australian.
Name witheld, NSW

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I think what happened over the weekend was not Aussie-like at all. I’ve just turned 18 and a half-lebanese, half-aussie boyfriend. My best friend is a mix and I’m full Aussie. Yet I don’t let skin colour affect the people I want to be friends with. We are the lucky country and we should be proud of that. We should embrace each other for who we are. I went to a all-girls high school that was “spot the aussie”, we had everyone from Asians to lebanese people to Iranuans but it was one of the best schools around. There were never any fights over what colour skin you had and where you come from. Why does it matter? We all live here so lets try to get along.
Hollie, NSW

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I am a 22 year old Lebanese Muslim who has lived in the Western suburbs for the majority of my life. I would like to firstly state that the behaviour of both the “Lebs” and “Aussies” is a national disgrace and should be condemned by all. The major reason why I am writing in is my irritation with level of racism I have encountered over the past years. I would like to inform all readers, and hopefully make them understand why I feel like a second string citizen. This latest incident happened at work, when I had an Anglo-Saxon elderly couple wanting to make a purchase, this couple were very nice but throughout the sale I felt they were analysing me because of my brown hair and brown eyes. This was the case to be as they proceeded to ask me “what nationality are you?”, this instantly irritated me because I am Australian, I was born here, went to school here and am proud to be Australian, I replied “I’m Australian, why are you asking?”, they proceeded to ask me again “what nationality are you?”, and once again I replied “I’m Australian”, this is where it turns nasty when the couple then said “Come on lad, we know you say you are Australian only because we are Australian, but where do you really come from?”. At this stage I was furious and wanted to let them know how I felt, but I couldn’t as I was at work and needed to make the sale as business was slow. Now someone explain to me why these people have this mentality, just because I have brown hair and brown eyes they think they have the right to look down on me and question me. What would they and also you the reader, have thought or said if I had responded that “I’m Lebanese” the first time they had asked me, I can guarantee you that they/you would have added to the generalisation of Lebanese males not wanting to be part of society and not wanting to adopt the Australian way of life. So where does that leave Lebanese people like me? In a lose-lose situation, I am proud to be an Australian, but am continually being made felt like I am not by Anglo-Saxon Australians, and that is where I feel the major problem lies. Don’t get me wrong, I’m not saying all Anglo-Saxons are racists, some of them are my good friends, but there are handfuls out there who are and wreck it for everyone. They make people like me feel like we are second string citizens, and until that racism stops there will continue to be problems within the community.
Terry, NSW

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The damage that was done to Maroubra on Sunday night, a place i have lived all my life, was appalling. I am 15 and had to wach my family car be smashed and about 20 or 30 men of Middle Eastern appearence smash up all of my street. something needs to be done about this now! Hate and war is not the answer, peace is! Can’t you see, we are the future, wake up to yourselves, is this really the sort of world you want your children to be brought up in? No, i didnt think so.
Tara, NSW

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I am sick to death of the lack of real news reporting of the issue of the so-called race riots. The news are pointing the finger at “white youths” and the only representation they get are the politicians who want to grandstand and pretend to have some knowledge of what is going on. They are not the community leaders of the “white youths”. Yet there is always some “non-white australian” community leader’s opinion of how their youths are not the cause of this. Both sides are equally to blame. Racism is alive and well with “non-white Australians” against “white Australians” and it is their leaders that help fuel this – and vice versa. And if reporters could bother to do some actual reporting and get to the issues that lead up to this violence then some sense might be made of this – yes we all know that some life guards were bashed up – although I have yet to see what that was about – but that is not the only contributing factor. This lack of reporting is fueling the violence and making “white australians” look like it is all our fault. Well guess what racism against “white australians” is just as prevalent as it is to “non-white australians” but no one wants to report on that cos apparently we have it all. Well guess what – we are in the same country as the “non-white australians” and face the same racism if we go into their sections of the community. Lack of tolerance appears to a human nature issue but but according to political correctness only Caucasians seem to be the target of that opinion.
Bonita, Qld

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I lived in Sydney for 35 years and both sides of my family has been in this country for over 150 years. I welcome anybody who feels they can join and contribute to the fabric of Australian society. There has and always will be a strong undercurrent of racism in this country. I have lived overseas and it exists everywhere. The current governments scare tactics over terrorism in order to win votes has simply allowed and encouraged this type of behaviour to surface and they will then in turn “label” it and use it for further reductions of peoples civil liberties.
John, Qld

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I am a 38 year-old male who has travelled the world, 34 countries, and nowhere have I seen the intolerance that I have seen in the news in the city I love. We are a multicultural society and I do agree we should live together as one, we can not all become “Aussie” but we can all respect the rights and cultures of others and not annoy, harass and fight others because of that difference. I have seen the cultures of all races and some do seem different to ours, but that is in their country, not ours. We have laws here that need to be obeyed by all races, anyone that breaks the law should be locked up. The government and police have been slow in reacting to the problems that has arisen over the last few months/years. We all need to pull our head out of the sand and find a solution not a cover up as it will flare up again. We need to get back to basics and treat others as we would like to be treated now that would make this a great country.
Robert, NSW

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I strongly believe the rioting was the cause of racism. The lifeguard was placed as an excuse for rioting and ‘the Aussies’ took advantage of the situation. They have sparked off a minor racial war in Sydney. The only ones suffering are those not involved and with innocent intentions. However, both sides need to calm down and learn to live with each other harmoniously. Australia is a nation that should be shared, and I don’t think either side is going anywhere. Tolerance should be practiced and everyone should look at themselves before placing a name tag on others.
Alia, NSW

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Australia isn’t a racist country? Who the hell is John Howard kidding? The current Government’s policies have ensured that Australians with an ethnic background are seen as “non-Australians”. I’ve heard numerous comments from people claiming that ethnic immigrants should leave their culture behind them – yet, most “white” Australians don’t seem to want to leave their English or Irish heritage behind.
Dazz, NSW

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I would like all Australians to take note on what has just happened. In the same way Australians are disappointed at their government for not “protecting them” and having to take the law into their own hands, the same too can be said about the oppression faced by Middle Eastern people here and overseas. Why is it okay for Australians to take the law into their own hands for five or six years worth of “oppression”, yet when people from Muslim countries are faced with decades of violence, war and oppression caused by Western world influence you cannot understand and accept? I am not saying that your riots aren’t justified, but it would be nice to see the Australian people not being such a bunch of HYPOCRITES. Although the difference is your Hypocracy is fuelled with pot and alcohol and most of the rebels are smiling while bashing innocent people. How far is this going to go before we become like other countries we see on the news. Don’t be brainwashed into beliving things about Muslims that aren’t true, and don’t blame everone for the stupidity of a few people. Aren’t we smarter than this?
John, NSW

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This whole situation has interested me since it hit the news. I am from as you would call a “wog” background. I am proud to call myself Australian. The idiots that attacked lifeguards are of ethnic background and they don’t just terrorise Sydney, they do it to us in Brisbane also. They are bullies and something needs to be stopped. These riots I believe is a good way of showing those immature thugs that we don’t want you in our country. I don’t want to sound racist, but their culture is an angry culture and they have nothing better to do but pick fights. They are an insult to this country, not the angry mob. Everyone thinks it’s just “Australians” that are angry. I am wog and I also get it, so they are just idiots and something needs to be done about it!
Stef, Qld

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Before the past few weeks Cronulla and ‘the Shire’ have been the safest place to live (besides the occasional incident). Now people are scared to go outside, the thing is that most of the people down at North Cronulla beach on Sunday were not local shire people, we are disgusted at the behaviour of the drunken mob on Sunday! That was not the way to handle the situation! I used to go down to Cronulla beach everyday before the incident the Sunday before, and it really wasn’t like what everyone was making it out to be. You would get the few Lebanese looking groups of young men harassing the lifeguards and the local young women that walked past but the rest of the Lebanese looking people down at the beach were down there for the same reason that the Australian beach-goers were, to enjoy our beautiful beaches. We need to remember that that is what the beach is for, to enjoy it as a whole community. The beach is a public place, we (people from the Shire) do not have the right to claim that it is ours nor do any other group of people. Everyone has the right to use Cronulla’s beaches but they also have the responsibility to abide by the law and to keep the beaches clean and to treat the lifeguards with respect. Now thanks to the acts of an arrogant, drunken mob nobody can enjoy the beach now without the fear that they are going to be attacked. All those who took part in Sundays’ riots should be ashamed of themselves, they have done nothing to help the situation, only made it ten times worse.
Alicia, NSW

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My wife has been trying to talk me into visiting an old friend of hers in Sydney, now all this garbage has spilled onto the streets. Will we be coming? Don’t wait up, Christine.
B, Canada

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What i have seen on TV over the past 48 hours has sickened me to the bone. I have never felt less Australian than how i feel right now! I sincerely thought I had been bought up in a multicultural society and not one that criticises anyone’s beliefs so badly. How dare anyone of those people think they are any better than anyone else in the world. You are no different from the very people you are angry with. This is Australia for god’s sake. This I thought was a country that accepted people no matter who they are. Are any of you going to sit and be quiet should an Aussie who happens to have Lebanese or Muslim parents win gold at the Melbourne Commonwealth games? Should we just cancel the games now because we don’t believe in any of the cultures coming here? Should we all just eat barbecues because that is the only Australian type of food and forget about pasta’s and pizzas? Should we only drive Holdens because that is the only Australian car? Come on! Australia is what it is because of many different type’s of people and it makes me proud to feel this way. How dare anyone try and stomp that out!
Name witheld, Adelaide

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Stop reporting this issue, you are only spreading hatred across Australia … take the text messages, the people responsible may have told thousands where to go for violence, but now the media have told the whole country about these messages. There are too many nationalities in one country … no wonder it has come to this.
Bruce, NSW

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We as Australians have never made an effort to include people of different races in our culture. People from across the globe arrive here and we turn our nose up to them, the first word thing they hear when getting off the plane is “oh no not another gook, lebo etc”. What did we expect would happen some day? We love to criticise other countries for what they do, we ain’t no better. Time to have a good look in the mirror Australia and splash a little cold water on your face.
Edward, NSW

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If there was more of a detterant and stronger punishments maybe innocent volunteers such as life guards would not be assaulted. Will there be justice for the innocent people who are “unfortunate” to live in these suburbs currently “under attack” who have had their cars destroyed? If the ethnic groups feel they are not being accepted why don’t they show more of a presence in the Australian community and volunteer for such jobs as lifesavers. Support your community and your community will support you. Treat others how you want to be treated. With the current events in the world they need to make more of an effort to be accepted. It is already bad enough being stereotyped as “terrorists”, so why add fuel to the fire and carry out bashings and pack rapes.
Anthony, NSW

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I am an Irish Australian living in Europe for the last year. This morning I woke to hear what I have to say embarrassed me to be Australian. There has been an underlying current of tension amongst these two communities for many years, not just in Cronulla. Authorities, education institutions and society in general has ignored this and now it has exploded. The scenes that have been played all over the world today have done irreperable damage to the ‘Australia’ these people are claiming to defend. ‘A fair go’ no longer seems to apply in this country…we have been branded beer drinking racist thugs. So on behalf of the Australian who are representing us across the world I would like to condemn this behaviour and express my deep felt sadness.
Aisling, Dublin

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As a Frenchman I am very pleased to see how young drunk Aussies behave! A Few weeks ago the Australian media was laughing at us but now things got worse at you. Indeed we do not send SMS to spread hatred in France, and nobody was injured. Of course I do not mean there is no discrimination at work, flats etc… but this just does not suprise me, because I visited Down Under and I was shocked by Aussies behavior. I lived the same in Bali and Indonesian Island. Young Australians despise poor people in Indonesia just because they have little money, I even hit one of them because I just could not bear it anymore. I will defenitly stay here in Europe and visit everywhere else but not Australia.
Amir, France

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I just want to say that I am Lebanese catholic. I am so sick of the Lebanese Muslim community, even us Catholic Lebanese are abused and threatened by all Muslim thugs due to our religion. All the crimes in the media are muslim, us catholics have received numerous SMS’ stating “Let’s join forces, unite as one and forgive and forget about what’s going on and what’s been said – we are better than that”. So why doesn’t the media show things like that they only show the bad. I think every ethnic that commits a crime should be sent back to their country, so us hard working honest people can stop suffering because of other people’s bad morals. Next time you decide to say ‘Lebs out’ translate that to ‘Muslims out’.
Joanne, NSW

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I feel that the Media is mostly to blame for the riots, as most people would never have known to go to Cronulla if the media had not have run the story about text message sent the other day. I feel media needs to think before they run with stories such as this.

Simon, Victoria

 

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I think the media and the police are very much responsible for the racism that exists, for a start the media tend to pick on ethnic people and if any crime is committed that persons nationality is alway publicised. Why do you have to hide the crime of the white Aussies? The police seem to also pick on ethnic people. And anyway all you media people and police this country belongs to the Aboriginal people who are black people and not to you people claiming to be Aussies. So don’t go asking the Middle Eastern people to leave this country when you should be leaving as well, this country belong to the Aboriginals.
Mary, NSW

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I think people have forgotten the events that led up to these occurrences; forget September 11, think more along the lines of the gang rapes in Sydney’s suburbs and the racial prejudice displayed by young Arabs. Obviously most readers dont go to nightclubs and parties and see all this, it happens all over the country. This form of intimidation creates issues, and people call Australians racist? Thats pathetic, i think some australians were just fed up with it, and it boiled over. I’ve got Arab friends, but I’m not into standing by and watching other Arab groups hurt my female friends or cause mischief unabated. Maybe some of you people should go to the clubs and sit and watch, or go to a beach and sit and watch, or ask security companies at shopping malls which ethnic groups cause the most problems for them. sadly its those of Arabic decent.
D, WA

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The new terriost laws enforced by the Howard goverment have been sure to already simmering tensions to the surface.

Bryce, Victoria

 

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Yes there is a bigger cultural problem. I am sick to death as an anglo australian female of being stared at disgustlingly, stalked by cars walking down my own street, intimidated on trains at the shopping centre and now at the beach. Unfortunately those displaying this bullying behaviour happen to be young middle eastern men. What is going on in their heads?

Tracey, NSW

 

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Incidents like the one at Cronulla have been simmering for a long time. The ugly scene at Cronulla is only the tip of the iceberg. This will get worse. People are fed up. Australia, love it or leave.

Jodi, NSW

 

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I am 21 years old and I am not a rascist person. I went to an all girls school and hated the fact that I had to see ‘Aussie suck, lebs rule’ enscribed on our school desks. My opinion is that they flee their contries because conditions are so bad… they should be thankful for the freedom we provide and not take advantage of it and wreck our country. Aussies are defending the Aussie man’s right to live freely how we used to before gang violence was brought in from overseas. I agree with the riots and why they are fighting because no one will do anything to protect Aussie’s – all government seem to care about is protecting everyone else except their own!

Cheryl, NSW

 

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The whole thing disgusts me. People who attack ambulances shouldn’t be proud to stand up and call themselves Australian. Today it’s the Lebanese, who will it be tomorrow ? The Asians ? The Greeks ? The Italians ? And if these people think defending their ‘turf’ in this way is justified, I wonder what they would say if the Aboriginals told them to ‘get out of our country’. This is redneck behaviour at it’s best, worthy of an American trash talk-show.

LLM, NSW

 

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As much as I deplore the riots in Conulla there is an underlining problem with Lebonese youths. They have been causing havoc all across Sydney not just Cronulla. Locals at Cronulla just happened to be the first to stand up and say they won’t tolerate these thugs (albeit in a violent and inappropriate manner). Time for Lebonese Community leaders to do something about this problem.

James, NSW

 

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It amazes me that in this day and age some people still think that violence is the answer to societys problems! As always, innocent people pay the price for a minorities bad behviour. Two wrongs never did and never will make make a right.

Donna, NSW

 

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I was born in Australia but I’m of Asain decent. All my life I have put up with racial discrimination and racial violence from caucasian decent all my life. Racial hate will never go away — I never go to Cronulla, I do my best to keep away. They have there own community there and yes they do there best to let us know. Racial hate will never go away that the sad thing this is what people are going to expect in our beautiful multicultral society.

Nolan, NSW

 

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As warned 30 yrs ago – multiculturalism is an idealist theory that doesn’t work. To put it simply we dont live in a multicultural country – we live in a multinational country. Unfortuately, this is just the beggining…

Grant, NSW

 

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Multiculturalism was a mistake. The old way of assimilation worked much better. My parents came out from Egypt in 1950 and although mum opted out my father tried so hard to be an Aussie. I was born here and his attitude rubbed off on me. I wasn’t interested in the old ways so in spite of all the racist comments aimed at me “I knew” I was an Aussie. These young Lebanese have been brought up to believe that they can hold onto the old ways and it just doesn’t work.

Felix, NSW

 

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Australians have had enough of the politically correct nonsence that is continually shoved down our throats. Australia is our country and if people do not like our WESTERN traditions they have no business here. Do not try to change us into something we are not. Are we angry about apologising for our Christianity? Yes we are.

Cathy, Qld

 

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People have gone too far to link every single crime to a certain “race” or to a certain “religious” group. Just because “a person” or a “small group of people” who are of the same race have done something bad, doesn’t mean other people with the same background are bad! More education from the government is needed.

Name witheld, Qld

 

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I think yesterday’s violence was disgusting & you just wonder when is this going to stop. There are alot of innocent families & people out there that are going to get hurt for just being in the wrong place at the wrong time & it’s not fair. Where are we supposed to swim now? It’s school holidays & the kids will not be able to go anywhere. THIS IS NOT AUSTRALIAN!!!

Kylie, NSW

 

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Australia has never had a race problem, it has more to do with its identity. Australia as a country has never taught racial tolerance and has never adapted a bridge of understanding between the cultures arriving to our shores and those existing here after the english colonisation. Now it is time to reflect and to ponder for new solutions to this problem of intolerance. Now it is time for the leaders of the community in general to educate and to instill onto our youth a sense of what it really means to be Australian. It certainly does not mean to retaliate by means of annihilation .

Jaime, NSW

 

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This is a problem that has been simmering for years. As a Cronulla resident, I have experienced first-hand the intimidation and abuse inflicted by groups of young lebanese/middle eastern males on people such as myself for simply minding their own business in their own home suburb. The government should have stepped in to calm this issue a long time ago – we are sick of pandering to these gangs of thugs and yesterday was the outcome of years of frustration.

Claire, NSW

 

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Across Australia? Don’t know. across Sydney, yes. What happened at Cronulla was disgusting and an embarrassment to this City. However, for years I’ve watched as groups/gangs of middle eastern young men have harrassed, intimidated or attacked people at random not just at the southern beaches, but in the CBD. And the police and gov’t have done NOTHING to stop it…so why are they so bloody surprised? There’s only so much people can handle being ‘bullied’ before they snap.

Dave, NSW

 

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I think racism is very evident across Australia. I see racism everyday. My dad is Egyptian and my mum is Italian and my boyfriend of 2 years is a full bred Australian, though our families get along fine doesnt mean that everyone else does. I think that the Australians picking on the Middle Easterners and vice versa is an enormous generalisation. There a good and bad people everywhere and that is one thing that the media hasnt taken into consideration about showing.

Claudia, NSW

 

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The angry locals have humiliated Australia. They should not call themselves Australians. Hitting women and inoccent people is a disgrace to our country.

Wendy, ACT

 

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This kind of thing has been brewing for many years, I am 28 years old and as a 17-21 year old i always got “skippy” comments from ethnic males as I had blonde hair. My comments back to them were always well what are you? As far as I am concerned if you are born here you are an Aussie, if you become an Australian citizen you have made a oath to the flag and its people. be proud of your background but dont let it take over your life. My mother was born in Northern Ireland but i dont go around saying that i am a Irish Australian and say that I hate Catholics… I married one. I think we are lucky that so few people were hurt because there is alot of anger inside many young people today. We just have to remember that there are many people out there who may not have been born an aussie but are proud to be part of our country.
Shannon, NSW

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Good on the boys in Cronulla standing up for themselves and taking back what was lost. Police and the courts stand by and let these “men of Middle Eastern Appearance” flaunt our laws and get away with horrible crimes, the people only respect and understand violence, and it is about time someone taught them a lesson. Our Country. Go Home, your not wanted here. Now if only the same thing would happen in Surfers Paradise.

Chris, Qld

 

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As a former resident of The Shire for 21 years, I do not condone the brawling of the weekend, but I can understand why the locals are upset, and from the article it wasn’t the locals causing the stabbings and attacks on vehicles. Up until a couple of years ago Cronulla was an extremely safe place to go. The many parks next to the beach were frequented even into the late evening by families, teenagers needing a breather… anyone really. The Cronulla Mall was a fun place at night with restaurants and street performers. But then it changed. Security cameras were placed the entire way through the mall and police staked their claim in the mall. The parks no longer became safe as a female you were too worried about being mugged or raped. Prince Street was shut down at night due to the noise and problems with the ‘doof doof’ cars that used to frequent the Brighton-Le-Sands streets but were stopped by the council. I think it is preposterous to blame all people of Middle Eastern appearance, but that is the way the locals see it. They only see that before these non-local people started coming everything was fine. I think people like Kayser Trad need to take a good look at themselves before they make silly comments on the news and I think the authorities need to come down with an iron hand and stamp out any violence, whether it be people of middle eastern appearance or anglo-saxon, it doesn’t matter!

Louise, ACT