Riots in Sydney

Published on December 13, 2005 By dynamaso In Current Events

For those of you who don't know or haven't heard about the escalalting incidences in Sydney over the last few weeks, here is a recap: after an incident where a couple of lifesavers were bashed, local groups decided to stage a protest at the beach, Cronulla, where this occurred. This led to one of the most sickening displays of violence I have ever had the misfortune to witness. Retaliatory actions were carried out by roving gangs of youths in cars at a number of beach-side suburbs, including Maroubra, the suburb next to the one where I live.

To hear police cars screaming up the road outside my place, knowing they were on the way to stop gangs of violent youths from harming each other and innocent locals was scary enough. Couple this with the fact that a lot of this violence is racially motivated makes me wonder what is happening to Australia.

It disapoints me. It makes me sad. It also has me lamenting the loss of the Australia I once knew: a place where everyone is socially and culturally equal, regardless of what you believed or how or where you lived. I miss it already.

Comments (Page 1)

on Dec 13, 2005

"It disapoints me. It makes me sad. It also has me lamenting the loss of the Australia I once knew: a place where everyone is socially and culturally equal, regardless of what you believed or how or where you lived. I miss it already."

its a shame reality got in the way of your utopia. I swear its the first time ive seen whiteys stand up for themselves in decades.

Phoenixboi

on Dec 13, 2005

I dont think I have seen this display of anger on our streets ever. It really needs to be addressed before it gets out of hand.

I especially think it is highly hypocritical of our leaders to say that we aren't a racist country.

I swear its the first time ive seen whiteys stand up for themselves in decades.

Sadly it is attitudes like this that perpetuate this kind of shit.

LuChA LaTiNa

on Dec 13, 2005

whites are p*ssies. deal with it. if this happened in reverse in lebanon you can bet your ass white boys would be dieing by the thousands. they'd be dragged through the streets just you palefaces were in somalia and iraq.

David St. Hubbins

on Dec 13, 2005

We're monitoring the situation here in Canada...I predict we will have the same problem this summer (July1-July 15) at our "beaches". I hope misguided self-loathing Aussies - and there are too many to name here at JU - take the opportunity to question every single thing they believe in, because right now western civilization is a runaway freight train. No more fucking around.

Island Dog

on Dec 13, 2005

I thougth Austrailia was a liberal country. What happened to all that tolerance?

Coming soon to a town near you, an islamic revolution.

Dr Guy

on Dec 13, 2005

I thougth Austrailia was a liberal country. What happened to all that tolerance?

The country may be, but unfortunately, not all of its citizens are. Hatred is not restricted to any one country, nationality, or race. To think otherwise is just to fool oneself.

It is sad what is happening in Australia. I do not find any pleasure in the misfortune of other countries just because they see what we get to see on occassion as well.

foreverserenity

on Dec 13, 2005

That is a sad thing indeed. I heard about the racial discontent but I didn't realise it was this bad Maso.

Truthfully though, when I lived in Jamaica, I've always been fascinated with Australia. One of the reasons why I've never been to visit was because of what we've always heard about the racial bias that goes on there, worser than in the US. Because there people actually will attack you. I don't know how much truth was in this but it was the story that went around. It seems to be a reality these days though and that's sad.

dynamaso

on Dec 13, 2005

First of all, to the anonymous responders, thanks for your comments. I appreciate there is always two sides to the story but at least I'm not advocating violence as an acceptable means of communication. I don't care if the rioters are white, black, yellow, green or purple, your actions will not be supported by me.

Phoenix, it was indeed a sad day for Australia and I agree with you that it is indeed hypocritical of Howard to say it wasn't racially motivated. I think it is exactly what Howard and his conservative cronies were hoping for. Merry Christmas Johnny, you bastard.

Island Dog, the only thing I can respond is to say I thought the same as you.

Dr Guy, you are so right. This kind of stupid, ignorant behaviour is so out of character with the Australian way of life, it is staggering in its implications.

Serenity, there is very little truth in the stories you heard about Australia. We are not immune to narrow-minded and violent actions but the sheer scale of it on the weekend was shocking.

Thanks all for your comments.

Shovelheat

on Dec 16, 2005

Shit happens, Maso. Always has and always will. I think God made the races and religions because what would we use to divide ourselves otherwise? I'm sure we'd think of something...

dharmagrl

on Dec 16, 2005

I'm sorry that you had to experience it, Maso. Some of my most vivid memories are from the late 70's/early 80's when England had some problems with black youths rioting. I remember well being in the mall in Oxford with my mum and seeing all these black kids swarm past us...Mum took me by the hand, told me to keep marching and don't look around or back, and we got out of there as fast as we could. Scary, disappointing and disheartening stuff.

I think you Aussies have lost your innocence this past week, and that makes me sad.

dynamaso

on Dec 18, 2005

Shovel, while I don't won't to believe it, I somehow think you're right. The distressing thing for me is that I've had to start thinking and expressing myself in racial categories. I've never had to do this before and I don't like it.

Dharma, first of all, it is great to 'see' you.

Scary, disappointing and disheartening stuff.

Indeed it is. There was a police blockade at the end of the main road through my suburb on the weekend, stopping cars and searching them for weapons etc. I never thought I'd ever see this in Sydney, let alone my own suburb. (Just so you know, Coogee is in the Eastern Suburbs, next to Maroubra, one of the initial trouble spots).

While I'm not so sure we were ever 'innocent', so to speak, I too feel very sad these events occurred. Thanks for your comments.

foreverserenity

on Dec 28, 2005

Serenity, there is very little truth in the stories you heard about Australia.

I'm really glad about that! I guess like all stereotypical stories that goes around, this is sad. I'm still fascinated by Australia though, and haven't crossed it off my list. At any rate I realised how much some of those stories aren't true since traveling and meeting other people from down under who lived in NY! And of course you and Phoenixboi who definately put those tales to rest!

We are not immune to narrow-minded and violent actions but the sheer scale of it on the weekend was shocking.

No country is immune to distress and discord amongst it's populace, not everyone is going to always be happy. But I can imagine the disillusionment you felt about it all.

The distressing thing for me is that I've had to start thinking and expressing myself in racial categories. I've never had to do this before and I don't like it.

Me neither. Unfortunately it is and has become such an integral (and unessary, IMO) part of how we exist here in the US. And even now it is becoming a part of how everyone exists elsewhere in this world of ours. It leaves a bad taste in one's mouth. When will we see each other as human beings first and notice what colour we are after? I can still dream right?

Dr Guy

on Dec 28, 2005

Unfortunately it is and has become such an integral (and unessary, IMO) part of how we exist here in the US.

Change will not come from the government. Change will come from us, when we basically decide (as I have) that we are of the human race. And that is the only race that counts. (unless dogs, cats and monkeys get the vote).

dynamaso

on Jan 02, 2006

When will we see each other as human beings first and notice what colour we are after? I can still dream right?

I'm dreaming the same dreams, believe me. I can't stand the idea that as these sorts of problems escalate, people start to point fingers at multiculturalism being the problem. The problem is NOT multiculturalism but the narrow mindedness of a small percentage of people who tend to have very loud mouths or reduce any argument or discussion to outbursts of violence. Thankfully, the situation seems to have calmed down a great deal.

we are of the human race. And that is the only race that counts. (unless dogs, cats and monkeys get the vote).

Doc, for this comment, you deserve a cookie. Well said and I agree completely. It is such a simple idea but so hard for a lot of people to understand, mores the pity.

ParaTed2k

on Jan 02, 2006

Riots are scary no matter where they happen. I've known too many people from, or who have lived in, Australia to have believed the "utopia" stuff, but this is out of character either way.

I hope that your government can deal with this lawlessness better than France's government did, and I pray for the safety of all those not taking part in the rioting.

And lets give a cheer for the good guys in Emergency Services!!

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