From: phs431d@vaxc.cc.monash.edu.au
Newsgroups: aus.students.overseas
Subject: Re: Asians face race bias -an aussie reply-
Date: 26 Jul 92 21:21:15 +1000
Organization: Monash University - Melbourne. Australia.

Just some comments on the following posted article :

In article <detchay.6.711965270@halls1.cc.monash.edu.au>, detchay@halls1.cc.monash.edu.au (TONY CHAY) writes:
>         Lets talk Tango people,  I'm an Australian, from the country.  In 
> the City I being ingnorant of public transport, etc.  have also been 
> targeted for being ignorant, It's a power game people play, when they know 
> your in a weak and vulnerable position then they'll make themselves feel 
> good by exercising their power to make you feel shit.  Don't go labelling 
> Australian's racist because you get hassled sometimes in these situations.  

Agreed. The problem in being Asian is that from the outset the
difference is obvious to these type of people.

> Sure some Aussies may think you're all sub-human, buy most don't.  Alot ill 
> feeling towards overseas students stems from the following:-
> 
> 	1.  Asians often stick to themselves, most don't mix with the 
> average Aussie student.  

More a case of "Birds of a feather ...".   Is there ill feeling towards quiet
people who congregate together and avoid the boisterous/rowdy people?
People, in general, stick to those of the same mind/temperment/interests etc.

> 	2.  I get ranckled when I am in an elevator and a group of Asians 
> talk in their own language.  

Consider yourself in their shoes ... you are in a foreign country where most
of the day you are listening to lectures and talking to others in a tongue
that is not your native (or totally natural).  Wouldn't you naturally fall
back to English when the opportunity arises?  I know I would.

> 	3.  Often the only clubs they join at university are Malaysian Law 
> Students, Hong Kong students, etc ,  So further segregating themselves, don'
> t blame the Aussies for getting pissed off at your almost secretive and 
> seperatist behaviour.

See response to number 1.

> 	4.  I have witnessed and been involved in many situations where 
> Asians have made it quite clear that all Australians are just Beer swilling 
> non-serious students who are basically dumb.  Here is the Yellow superiorty 
> making the Aussies angry that you come over here and knock us and our 
> culture and our differing work ethic.

Would you say that this is the majority view?  Just as the beer swilling
non-serious students tend to be a minority (but most obvoius to see) so
are the views of the more vocal Asians. (However, I have been a student
and tutor at the Halls of Residence and can understand how some may
get this idea).

>       5.  With THousands of Australian students missing places at 
> universities across australia, and maybe some here not doing the course they 
> really wanted to.  Isn't it understandable that when they see so many Asian 
> students taking up places at university ( and they dont frankly give a 
> bloody stuff about the financial aspects of O/s Students) they'll feel 
> cheated and resentful.

This is something I'd like to clear up.  I know that this is a view shared
in the wider community but it is a misconception.  Since the introduction
of only FULL FEE paying overseas students, they (the OS students) ARE NOT
taking places of Australians (this is the idea of FULL FEE).  I am pretty 
sure that if they were not here there STILL would not be extra places for
Aussie students (blame the Government for lack of funding).

I final comment so people know where I'm coming from.  I'm an ABC (Aussie
born Chinese), born and raised in the very non-Asian environment of
Rockhampton, Queensland.  I CANNOT speak a word of Chinese.
Before coming to Melbourne, all my friends were non-Asian  (it was a bit
of a culture-shock to see so many Asian faces down here ;->).  I found
that most of the people there (and likewise down here) are not racist.
To bridge the gaps requires understanding on both sides of the culture
(and thus reasons for behaviour) of the other.

> 		Yours Sincerely 
>                               Tony (stone the crows) Chay - note Chay is not 
> Asian in origin, it is from Some jewish people 
> in Iberia who migrated to ireland and 
> converted to catholicism etc.  
-- 
Don Lowe, Department of Physics, Monash University, 
Melbourne, Victoria, Australia, 3168.

NB. Lowe is ALSO not Asian in origin.  One of my Great Uncles couldn't spell.
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