June 6 2007: Separatism
Filed under Politics
I’m baffled.
In many of the forms I have to fill out in my life (ah, the magnifence of red tape…), one of the questions is inevitably “Are you of Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander descent?”.
While I can understand why such a question is required on things such as health services, education, etc. (statistics show that the Indigenous population have lower rates of formal education and lower life expectancy), why should that matter when I’m filling out a form to get a new library card? Does being of Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander descent mean that I get extra favours from the library? Do I get to rent DVDs for longer than a week? Can I keep books longer than the three week limit? Will they open the library up for me at 8pm on a Sunday night when I’m looking for books to support my argument in an essay? How would it affect my library borrowing practices?
It’s nothing but another form of racism and separatism. You (this is a ‘you’ aimed at the Howard Government wankers) can’t make up for the crimes committed in the past against the Indigenous peoples by giving them special preference now. Treat everyone equally in the things that matter…and don’t bring political correctness into something as simple as applying for a library card.
13 Responses to “Separatism”
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I agree completely. I’ve seen the question on school exam booklets… wtf?
Jordie on June 6 2007 #
Whoa! In here we don’t have that. All we need is your details, minus your race, etc. It’s just plain weird to see that question popping up for library card applications
Chien Yee on June 6 2007 #
That is so true. Plus, sometimes it seems that the recorded information could be misused too if the tide does turn. Furthermore, reconciliation didn’t particularly work on the Howard Government’s part explicitly, and yet this implicit, but not outright form exists.
Lav on June 6 2007 #
I find it weird how we’re so keen on getting statistics for Indigenous Australians yet Howard refuses to apologise. =/
Belinda on June 7 2007 #
It’s the same here, in fact.. worse. The ‘race’ question is on everything. Tests in school, college and job applications, driver’s license form, financial aide for college..
It’s sad that a kid making the exact same amount of money and with the exact same grades can get more or less money for school based solely on the color of his or her skin.
Amber on June 7 2007 #
*ahem* Delurking…
I never answer any questions about my “race” in forms like those; I just leave the check boxes unchecked. Unfortunately those questions pop everywhere.
Those questions are usually pointless, anyway, except when gathering some statistics, I guess. If anything, they should ask what country you were born in; it’s more interesting to see where everyone is from. Saying “I’m Caucasion” or “I’m Asian” or whatever else isn’t indicative of anything.
Um, to me, determining someone’s race seems just like determining what breed a dog is. Heh.
Angela on June 7 2007 #
If it’s not necessary… I skip that part. I just don’t see the point of somewhat “separating” myself by labeling myself as a different race when I’m just trying to… get a new library card for instance!
Felisa on June 7 2007 #
Yeah, if it’s someplace that I don’t think it should matter, I leave it blank. I can see why they track it in, you know, college admissions and even job applications (I think they still have some quotas in place) but something like a library card is really ridiculous.
Jack on June 7 2007 #
I never answer the race question…
marMARmar on June 7 2007 #
I don’t want to have an opinion. I’ll end up saying something someone will consider racist. And I’ll bring up something with false facts and everyone will think I’m ignorant. But…
I just read that thing about the phrase sounding better in cantonese. I can say.. GUM SAW GAH. I don’t know how to spell it. But I’m trying to say “so silly” – correct?
Reply: There’s no proper phoneticisation of Cantonese, but I’d type it as “Gun Sore Ah!”
Paddy on June 7 2007 #
I think it’s a ridiculous question for getting a library card. I talked to a girl here in Holland and on a form from school about health care she had to fill out if she had any gay friends. I don’t ,for the life of me, see how anything like this or the question you mentioned is relevant in this situation (and the gay question in any situation really)
Chans on June 7 2007 #
It’s probably being used to collect information on whether or not they’re being discriminated against. Which is ironic.
Mike Haddad on June 8 2007 #
Here in the U.S., we call it “affirmative action”. That basically means that, because I’m Caucasian, someone who’s part of a minority has a better chance of, oh say, getting a job or getting into a college. It just “looks better” politically to have more minorities, I guess.
Josh on June 9 2007 #