A Question of Racisim
February 4th 2009 02:05
Over the last few years, people have been saying that the world has gone crazy. I've been hearing it everywhere, but recently I think the world has been trying to prove us utterly right, by taking the smallest of incidents and blowing them way out of proportion.
INCIDENT ONE - Prince Harry, as a soldier, indulges in some fun time. He says, "Theres my Paki mate!" in a very affectionate tone, and the Pakistanis jump ALL OVER HIM!! He's told he must apologise for the 'derogatory' term, which I'm sure, has been even used by the Paki in question. For Heaven's Sake, if you want a derogatory term, Im sure a worse one could be found - this was merely a shortening of his nationality, not an attack on him. We all knew that. But we did not try to stop the complete insanity. We watched slack jawed. The boys parents did not even stop to consider that the two were mates.
INCIDENT TWO - Miley Cyrus makes a slanty eyed gesture, and her asian friend dissolves into giggles. Asians everywhere get up in arms, saying its derogatory, she must apologise for bagging them out. What about the asian friend? Does she have to apologise for laughing her arse off and more than likely snorting - "You got me Miley! Ha! Thats us EXACTLY!"
To me, these two incidents relate how racisim is being utterly abolished. This is not white people making fun of other races, its white people making fun of themselves! The fact that the 'targeted' races were in on the joke says it all.
Now, let me relate to you....INCIDENT THREE.....And help me please judge what kind of racisim this is. Due to the way the previous two incidents were dealt with, my head should probably be on a pike. But I disagree, strongly, and it shows just what sort of a sharp corner we've painted ourselves into. That if we dont learn - quickly - to see this realisticaly, we are going to be in big trouble.
Yesterday I went to my job network appointment as part of my requirement for being paid by Centrelink. While there, they asked me to have a first contact with a counceller so that it could be recognised what kind of impact my mental illness might have on me finding a job. I happily agreed, and sat down with the woman.
She seemed indifferent and cold - not really the kind of person I feel comfortable opening up to. She was no where near my age group or class - Im sure her upbringing was much better than mine, hence her utter shock at some of the daily incidents I described as merely a part of my life. Worse, she couldnt seem to understand my auzzie slang. She was always saying "what?" "Can you please repeat that?" "What does that mean?" By the end of the conversation she had stopped asking questions, obviously deciding it was better to let me talk and it wasnt important for her to understand.
Now I dont know for sure, what race this woman was - its not like when I meet someone I have to peg them by race. Its simply not important to me. But I think she was indian, her accent was very slight. She may have been an islander, Im just not sure. As Im sure you can tell by the name of this blog, by my recent posts and if you are a regular reader you will ultimately know - I have the highest respect for indians. I believe they have an intensely beautiful culture and an understanding of spirituality the white race simply cannot fathom. But my problem did not stem from any of these things, it was a personal thing. We did not 'click', we did not relate to one another. This is vital for a counseller and they're charge. Empathy must be present. It just wasnt.
I realized that if I was going to return for another session - which was recommended - I would want to see someone else. Heath care - particularly mental health care - has been in a bad way for years. I was already thinking that I would have limited choices in who I would be able to see. I decided I would ask if they had a male counseller I could see - to the surprise of every nurse Ive ever known, I always choose males over females for mental health purposes. Why? I relate better to men, I cant explain it. They arent shocked by things I say, and I dont feel they are judging me. Its a personal thing, and mental health care is all about that.
When I was considering asking about my choices, a male counseller appeared. He was indian, and his accent was very thick. I realized, if I asked for a male and got him, I would be in the same boat. He wouldnt 'get' my auzzie slang, I would always be stopping, repeating, explaining, and that just wouldnt work.
Utter fear flooded me - at the thought of asking the recptionist if I could see an Auzzie. They are going to think Im racist! I thought in panic.
This was quickly followed by a burst of anger. If any other race of person said they just werent comfortable, and wanted a counseller of their own race, it would not just be accomodated, it would be understood and encouraged. No matter what race they were after, they would find a counseller of the right race or at least a centre nearby that had one, if they just couldnt find one at their own centre. Heaven and Earth would be moved for them, because its 'Their Right'. But its not mine. If I want the same treatment as any of them, I am the racist!
I ended up just slyly leaving, not feeling able to deal with this tangle that had been created. I would rather have no counselling at all than be thought of as a rascist by anyone. Any of those counsellers would be welcome in my conversation, as friends - but as a counseller, Im so sorry to say it, I want an Auzzie. I want to be able to say "Weada beer attabarbie an I gottina blue with memate" and have my counseller go, "so whowon den?" Instead of, "Um, excuse me. Can you repeat that? SL-OW-LY?"
Im sure at least some of you get where Im driving at. Perhaps its just my paranoia talking, I dunno, but the way the world's going crazy right now, Im not taking any chances.
INCIDENT ONE - Prince Harry, as a soldier, indulges in some fun time. He says, "Theres my Paki mate!" in a very affectionate tone, and the Pakistanis jump ALL OVER HIM!! He's told he must apologise for the 'derogatory' term, which I'm sure, has been even used by the Paki in question. For Heaven's Sake, if you want a derogatory term, Im sure a worse one could be found - this was merely a shortening of his nationality, not an attack on him. We all knew that. But we did not try to stop the complete insanity. We watched slack jawed. The boys parents did not even stop to consider that the two were mates.
INCIDENT TWO - Miley Cyrus makes a slanty eyed gesture, and her asian friend dissolves into giggles. Asians everywhere get up in arms, saying its derogatory, she must apologise for bagging them out. What about the asian friend? Does she have to apologise for laughing her arse off and more than likely snorting - "You got me Miley! Ha! Thats us EXACTLY!"
To me, these two incidents relate how racisim is being utterly abolished. This is not white people making fun of other races, its white people making fun of themselves! The fact that the 'targeted' races were in on the joke says it all.
Now, let me relate to you....INCIDENT THREE.....And help me please judge what kind of racisim this is. Due to the way the previous two incidents were dealt with, my head should probably be on a pike. But I disagree, strongly, and it shows just what sort of a sharp corner we've painted ourselves into. That if we dont learn - quickly - to see this realisticaly, we are going to be in big trouble.
Yesterday I went to my job network appointment as part of my requirement for being paid by Centrelink. While there, they asked me to have a first contact with a counceller so that it could be recognised what kind of impact my mental illness might have on me finding a job. I happily agreed, and sat down with the woman.
She seemed indifferent and cold - not really the kind of person I feel comfortable opening up to. She was no where near my age group or class - Im sure her upbringing was much better than mine, hence her utter shock at some of the daily incidents I described as merely a part of my life. Worse, she couldnt seem to understand my auzzie slang. She was always saying "what?" "Can you please repeat that?" "What does that mean?" By the end of the conversation she had stopped asking questions, obviously deciding it was better to let me talk and it wasnt important for her to understand.
Now I dont know for sure, what race this woman was - its not like when I meet someone I have to peg them by race. Its simply not important to me. But I think she was indian, her accent was very slight. She may have been an islander, Im just not sure. As Im sure you can tell by the name of this blog, by my recent posts and if you are a regular reader you will ultimately know - I have the highest respect for indians. I believe they have an intensely beautiful culture and an understanding of spirituality the white race simply cannot fathom. But my problem did not stem from any of these things, it was a personal thing. We did not 'click', we did not relate to one another. This is vital for a counseller and they're charge. Empathy must be present. It just wasnt.
I realized that if I was going to return for another session - which was recommended - I would want to see someone else. Heath care - particularly mental health care - has been in a bad way for years. I was already thinking that I would have limited choices in who I would be able to see. I decided I would ask if they had a male counseller I could see - to the surprise of every nurse Ive ever known, I always choose males over females for mental health purposes. Why? I relate better to men, I cant explain it. They arent shocked by things I say, and I dont feel they are judging me. Its a personal thing, and mental health care is all about that.
When I was considering asking about my choices, a male counseller appeared. He was indian, and his accent was very thick. I realized, if I asked for a male and got him, I would be in the same boat. He wouldnt 'get' my auzzie slang, I would always be stopping, repeating, explaining, and that just wouldnt work.
Utter fear flooded me - at the thought of asking the recptionist if I could see an Auzzie. They are going to think Im racist! I thought in panic.
This was quickly followed by a burst of anger. If any other race of person said they just werent comfortable, and wanted a counseller of their own race, it would not just be accomodated, it would be understood and encouraged. No matter what race they were after, they would find a counseller of the right race or at least a centre nearby that had one, if they just couldnt find one at their own centre. Heaven and Earth would be moved for them, because its 'Their Right'. But its not mine. If I want the same treatment as any of them, I am the racist!
I ended up just slyly leaving, not feeling able to deal with this tangle that had been created. I would rather have no counselling at all than be thought of as a rascist by anyone. Any of those counsellers would be welcome in my conversation, as friends - but as a counseller, Im so sorry to say it, I want an Auzzie. I want to be able to say "Weada beer attabarbie an I gottina blue with memate" and have my counseller go, "so whowon den?" Instead of, "Um, excuse me. Can you repeat that? SL-OW-LY?"
Im sure at least some of you get where Im driving at. Perhaps its just my paranoia talking, I dunno, but the way the world's going crazy right now, Im not taking any chances.
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Comment by Mrs M
Mum's Word
I remember seeing a counselor when I was at uni and she sucked at her job. Nothing wrong with her accent, just her bedside manner.
I hope it works out for your Kleo.
Love & stuff
Mrs M
Comment by Kleonaptra
Kalikapsychosis
No, I havnt been back. I strongly believe that all my emotional issues - or, my occasional inability to deal with them - is influenced heavily by my tooth infection. Im constantly tired, drawn, and in pain. The good news is I called up to go on the waiting list and they are treating me as an emergency - They are pulling it on Monday! How great is that! I think it will make a significant difference in my health and attitude. My doc thinks this tooth has been causing problems for years.