#racism My theory

My theory is that Australians have always struggled with multiculturalism.
This is hilarious if it were not so serious!.

Let me however trace (inadequately)  my 40+ year experience of living in Australia
We came to live in Australia in 1967. It was MUCH more ethnically diverse than rural NW England.
There had been lots of Italians, Spaniards and Yugoslavs (as they were wrongly termed  then....see flags attached of kingdom break up)
In my High School class there were Anglo-Australians, Maltese, French & Spaniards.
In later years I went out with an Italian, my sister with a Croatian, and we ended up marrying into an Italian family; a Polish, Welsh Family; an early Yorkshire and Australian family; we have not yet married into an indigenous family, nor an African family, or an Asian family.
My daughters mock me (surprise surprise) " "Dad wants us to to marry an indigenous or Asian person". I would be more than happy
I suspect that this is the experience of most 'Australian' families.
My dearest (Welsh) friend was married to a Latvian Gentleman.  I use the term 'gentle' deliberately. He was highly intelligent. He was gentle and respectful.
Anton, I salute you!   As his extraordinary wife died, her faith; his partnership  was outstanding.


I have gone on.

My point is.......all our lives were transformed...when we encountered people who were outside our comfort zone. But
I would suggest
truly enriched

Not all Moslems are the same

The use of the term “Moslem” is an inaccurate and unhelpful description in this ongoing multicultural debate. There are Moslems on all continents and they are any number of different nationalities.
I happen to be an Anglican, and that is perhaps a more accurate cultural descriptor than the word Moslem. Particularly since even American Anglicans (Episcopalians) seem to be a bit "Englishy". And although it is difficult to describe us as one cultural group we all seem to have a certain reserve, perhaps a certain tolerance for difference, and perhaps we are quiet people ....but things are not like they were 20 years ago

But no one would dream of primarily defining my cultural heritage by my religious affiliation. There are, incidentally, in the quite small Anglican community in South Australia people from all continents and any number of different nationalities. Just like the Moslems!