Race, ethnicity, prejudice: white Australia policy Essay

This motif is divided into two parts. In the first part the concepts or hunt, ethnicity, disadvantage and racialism atomic soma 18 defined and how they ar connected is discussed. Part 2 of the paper looks at the White Australia insurance form _or_ system of government and why it was introduced. The impact of much(prenominal) a racist in-migration history on coeval Australia is as well discussed in terms of attitudes and behaviours of the population.Following is a brief discussion on how successive brass policies and non-government organisations have tried to deal with and eradicate racial discrimination and discrimination against nonage groups in Australia since the White Australia policy was abolished in the 1940s. Lastly, the tensions that ride out today in multicultural Australia ar explored. Part 1 What is tend? During the late 18th and earlier 19th centuries it was thought that humans could be divided into different groups according to their biological makeup, or alternatively, their persist. The term die dense foc utilize more than on common features that were sh atomic number 18d among a geniusness species, rather than placing emphasis on the characteristics which divide us (Cohen & Kennedy, 2007 Giddens, 2001). The emerging theories of turn tail were used to justify the rising affable order as England along with early(a)(a) European nations became imperial powers. It was thought that there were three important(prenominal) race categories, white, black and yellow, with the white race being the superior race (Giddens, 2001).Today, sociologists reject the idea of racial hierarchy amongst humankind and propose that race is a social wee related to the ways that people and agricultures interpret, and pit to, minor physical differences (forefront Krieken, Habibis, Smith, Hutchins, Haralambos & Holborn, 2006, p. 264). The idea of significant biological differences has been debunked in contemporary sociology and the theory repl aced with the emergence of ethnicity. What is ethnicity?The idea of race is a social construct base on innate physical differences, while ethnicity is purely social in meaning base on less obvious differences such(prenominal) as social markers of culture, language, religion, style of dress and field of studyity (Giddens, 2001 Cohen & Kennedy, 2007 Van Krieken et al, 2010 Matsumoto & Juang, 2004). In other words, it looks at how wiz group of people are distinguishable from other based on differences that are learned. In practice, ethnic labels almost perpetually apply to minority groups deep down a hostelry.This is problematic in the sensation that it poses a risk of separation between us and them (Giddens, 2001 Van Krieken et al, 2010). some other problem is that ethnic groupings are often too generic. In Australia, for example, we might speak of a Moslem ethnic group or the Muslim community. Muslim, therefore, becomes one category which in fact holds a turn of pointts of subgroups itself which does non get acknowledged. Another issue arising from ethnic grouping is that labels are usually given to the minority, when in fact, we are all ethnic heedless of if we belong to an ethnic minority or majority.What is prejudice? Prejudice refers to opinions or attitudes held by members of one groups towards another (Giddens, 2001, p. 250). These opinions and attitudes are usually based on preconceived views based on stereotypes rather than evidence and are hard to swop even when presented with evidence stating otherwise (McConnochie, Hollinsworth & Pettman, 1988). Prejudice is based on internal beliefs and when those beliefs lead to a particular behaviour as a guide it turns into discrimination.For example, if people are denied the same opportunities, such as gaining employment, based on their skin colour, their ethnicity or disability as a allow for of prejudice, prejudice becomes discrimination. What is racism? When we speak of race, ethnicity and prejudice we are intrinsically linking racism as well. Racism is prejudice taken another step further. In contrast to prejudice, racism is based on perceived cultural superiority, which is itself based on perceived genetic superiority (McConnochie et al, 1988). There are two forms of racism individual and institutional.Individual racism involves one-on-one scenarios where racist attitudes are express based on a particular individuals belief towards another. For example, one person might be of the opinion that all Aboriginals are dirty, and therefore, be racist to an Aboriginal when they are walking stack the street, at school or work. Institutional racism on the other hand is far broader in context and more complex. It refers to the ways in which racism has infiltrated into social institutions which govern, discriminate and oppress various groups within that society based on their race (McConnochie et al, 1988).These institutions within our societies, such as schools and healthca re services, use racism in a systematic manner which favours one group over all the others. Although racism as a notion is the same for both individual and institutional purposes, the consequences of the two are immensely different. Sociologists have argued that in the recent age racism has shifted from excluding groups on a biological basis, to more of a cultural basis of difference (Giddens, 2001 Van Krieken et al, 2010). In this cutting wave of racism there are distinctly underlying political dimensions.Part 2 The White Australia Policy (1880s 1940s) Australia as we know it today is a result of careful political planning and construction to create a particular kind of society. From archaean European settlers until the late 19th century Australia had an open immigration policy (Cope, Castles & Kalantzis, 1991). Everyone was welcome and encouraged to come as populating the land was the primary concern. However, immigration legislation changed as unemployment rates started risi ng and fears of over population from the Chinese was ignited.As a result, the White Australia policy was introduced in 1980 and lasted through to early 1940s (Van Krieken et al, 2010 Jupp, 2002). Economic and cultural reasons were the main reasons for introducing the White Australia policy (Windschuttle, 2005). fond gumminess was a real concern at the fourth dimension and it was believed that solidarity could not be maintained with so many inferior races populating the nation. It was believed that, in harmony to Darwins theory of evolution, the fittest race will survive and the weakest would be eliminated accordingly.These were the main underlying rationales for keeping Australia as pure as possible. Impact of Australias Immigration history on the attitudes and behaviours of contemporary Australians As contemporary Australia becomes more diverse, racist attitudes embedded from immigration history and previous policies can nonetheless be entangle. Expression of racism through a ttitudes and behaviours has taken on reinvigorated form. Contemporary expressions of racism tend to be focused on theme identity and nationhood rather than genetic superiority, and tend to also be fuelled by the popular media.Once again, the concern appears to be on social cohesion and the belief that minority groups place the cohesion and issue identity at risk, showing remnants of the White Australia policy. Inherent racist beliefs and attitudes expressed today are targeted towards minority groups who potentially are the most disadvantaged. Measures taken by the government to address this disadvantage is seen as an unfair privileged treatment at the expense of the majority. Examples of this include opposition towards action policies promoting Indigenous Australians into certain jobs and grooming of side language support to newcomers.Attempts at eradicating racism and discrimination against minority groups and individuals since the end of the White Australia policy Assimilation lasted from the 1940s until the mid(prenominal) 1960s. This new policy adopted the assumptions from the White Australia policy on preserving the society as homogenous in order to keep cohesion and harmoniousness. It meant that immigrants should absorb themselves into mainstream culture as quickly as possible and become as Australian as possible (Van Krieken et al, 2010 Cope et al, 1991).Government policies were put into place for English language lessons, which were at the centre of the policy, along with services to help migrants scram employment and help them out with housing upon their arrival (Van Krieken et al, 2010). In other words, the main emphasis of the assimilation policy was to make them look resembling us as much and as quickly as possible. integrating followed on from assimilation and lasted from the mid 1960s to the early 1970s. The expectations of the assimilation policy and the evident reality were rather different and as a result the integration approach appeare d.The government shifted focus from making them like us to educating the Australian public to accept and welcome the new changes and the need to change attitudes to be less fearful and negative to more tolerant. With new policies actual at the time, overall differences were welcomed and encouraged into the public domain. By the early to mid 1970s multiculturalism was introduced as an attempt to ease some of the tensions and anxieties and started the shift from British focused immigration.The Racial Discrimination Act was introduced in 1975 and racism was formally legislated against. Under the new RDA it became against the law to discriminate in areas such as housing, employment and provision of services. By the 1980s, multiculturalism was being redefined, and the emphasis of the concept was lawfulness across the board for all individuals in Australia irrespective of their background (Van Krieken et al, 2010). multiculturalism was a concept encompassing the need for unity, inclusio n, tolerance, acceptance and equality.What tensions remain today in multicultural Australia? Despite the push by the government for all residents to nominate as an Australian and work together to develop a national identity, whilst providing equal opportunities and access across the board, it hasnt been an well-situated journey to date. At the core of the issue of Australia as a multicultural nation is national identity. Defining what it means to be Australian has been problematic over the years and has usually reflected political movements.Remnants of White Australia policy can unflustered, however, be felt in todays society as they are expressed through traditional racist attitudes and beliefs and are sometimes the cause of racial attacks, segregation and anxiety of minority groups. more(prenominal)over, tension exists on a number of other issues including the feeling of displacement for migrants of non-English-speaking background who after some time do not identify with the Au stralian national identity nor with their mother-land (Jupp, 2002). They award a number of adjustment issues as well such as struggling to gain employment.Other issues still relevant in multicultural Australia include limited inclusion of Indigenous issues within the policies, tension in relation to Asian immigration, the extent to which different value and belief systems are accepted and allowed for, the uncertainty of the role and nature of ethnic and minority groups within the broader mainstream society, the correlation of class, gender and ethnicity, the conflict between inclusion and tolerance and the presently hot debated issue on asylum seekers (Jupp, 2002 Van Krieken et al, 2010).In conclusion, whilst multiculturalism has certainly been a step forward and progressive thus far in unifying all Australian citizens as one there is still a long way to go before the ideal is achieved. More research is needed in areas that affect minority groups and the daily issues they are face d with based on their gender, age and ethnicity. The findings need to be considered and used when in writing new policies for the nation.While there is no easy answer to any of the issues Australia is faced with today, a new form of multiculturalism with an even bigger focus on unity, respect and mindfulness is needed in progressing forward. Refrences Cope, B. , Castles, S. , & Kalantzis, M. (1991). Historical overview of the assumptions about the relationship between immigration and social cohesion. In Immigration, ethnic conflict and social cohesion (Ch. 2, pp. 3 19). Centre for Multicultural Studies, University of Wollongong, Canberra AGPS.Cohen, R. & Kennedy, P. (2007). Social Inequalities Gender, Race and Class. In Global Sociology. (2nd edition, Ch 6, pp 157 162). Giddens, A. (2001). Race, Ethnicity and Migration. In Sociology. (4th edition, Ch 9, pp 244 277). Cambridge order Press. Jupp, J. (2002). From White Australia to Woomera The Story of Australian Immigration. Cambr idge Cambridge University Press. McConnochie, K. , Hollinsworth, D. , & Pettman, J. (1988). Race and racism in Australia. Wentworth Falls, NSW Macleay Press. Matsumoto, D.& Juang, L. (2004) enculturation and psychology (3rd ed. ). Cambridge Cambridge University Press. Van Krieken, R. , Habibis, D. , Smith, P. , Hutchins, B. , Haralambos, M. , & Holborn, M. (Eds. ). (2006). Sociology. Themes and Perspectives. (3rd ed. ). Frenchs Forest Pearson Longman. Van Krieken, R. et al (2010). Identities Indigenous, National, Ethnic and Racial. In Sociology. (4th edition, Ch 8, pp 256 282). Sydney Pearson. Windschuttle. K. (2005). The White Australia policy. Sydney Papers, 17(3-4), 129-134.