Wednesday, January 8, 2014

Councillor Norman Hewer in silly "racism" furore

Amazing how quickly people resort to claims of racism. Take this little ruckus over a Facebook page post made from a Wanneroo councillor's account. The post, which appears to have been written by the bloke's wife, read:

"On Jan 26, my countrymen and I will be flying our natioal (sic) flag with pride. If you feel this is going to offend you please feel free to pack up your s**t and F*** OFF."

The post provoked much criticism of Cr Norman Hewer, most of it along the lines that it was inappropriate, and racist.

Inappropriate, yes -- particularly if you consider the source. But racist?

Nowhere in that quote is there any mention of race. Of course the hand wringers would say there doesn't need to be any explicit reference; it's clearly what the writer of the post was thinking about.

But such accusations reveal another thing entirely, in my opinion. They show that those making them are often far more obsessed with race than those they condemn.

Not surprisingly, many such people subscribe to the fashionable view that Australia Day itself as a sinister celebration of the invasion of a nation. But that's how these "black armbanders" choose to characterize it, not how those who are proud of the day actually see it.

I wonder who made that accusation of the Facebook post anyway. Were they Anglos themselves? Probably ...

The racism! ranters really think they're mind readers, don't they? If they're as brilliant at divining the hidden thoughts of others they should be working for law enforcement, preventing crimes before they happen, a la the psychics in Minority Report ... 

The fact that something so insignificant qualifies as news illustrates a coupla things: firstly, how forensically journos trawl social media for any little faux pas they can beat up into a story. It also confirms that merely expressing patriotic sentiment is widely considered racist these days. What a stupendously petty state of affairs.

3 comments:

  1. After a University of WA thesis found that people who fly the Aussie flag on Australia day are more likely to be racist, I have flown two flags on my car and one on my house every day of the year. Hope they get the message!

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  2. I think you have the right sentiment, although there appears to be a typo.

    After a University of WA thesis found that people who fly the Aussie flag on Australia day are more likely to be patriotic and/or Conservative, I have flown two flags on my car and one on my house every day of the year. Hope they get the message!,

    I tend to call a spade a spade. And yes, I'm an Evil, Baby eating, Right Wing, old, white, educated, Conservative (tm).

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    Replies
    1. Can see what you're getting at here. The academic elite have succeeded in their quest to conflate patriotism with racism. I think that's a devious and malicious tactic.

      Yes, there are some patriots who are racist. But the two things are by no means synonymous. And it must be said that there are many international socialists who are deeply racist, too.

      Their racism is not overt, however. It's a seemingly positive but nonetheless toxic, politically correct form of bigotry.

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