About the racism, I did experience some when my family first migrated here. Back then there were very little Asians in Perth so it is worse than now. It is unfortunate that your friends still experience it, especially in a University as well.

All I can advise is that – you pick the appropriate time to stand up for yourself, or to walk away. For example, with the tutor I would have said something back or make a complaint. Other times I’d ignore idiots that are obviously looking for a fight. One time at a club a drunk guy did just that, I didn’t stare at him but I looked at his friends instead and they were embarassed for him and pulled him away.

With regards to Sydney, I’d just avoid the trouble spots. Especially where you could sense the tension from previous troubles.

Bear in mind that the racists are very much in the minority. I work and play with ppl of all colours and creed, government officials and police are helpful and Australia is still a nice place to live for me. I also believe that being a minority one should try to interact with the majority more. Basically don’t huddle together with one’s own kind all the time. This is especially applicable to overseas student who come here and don’t try to experience the Aussie life at all – what a waste!

Seriously though, I’ve heard from friends there that there’s alot of racism in Australia. A friend got beaten up there, and another two told me their tutors in University always picked on them because they were Asian.

Mooiness, aren’t you Chinese/Asian? Ever got experience anything like that?

Media all over the world thrives on human misery and sensationalism. Not discounting the fact that Lebanese gangs had a part to play in this, but imagine if the bashing up of the lifesavers was reported as “3 lifesavers attacked” as opposed to “3 lifesavers attacked by Lebanese youth”. How much difference that that would have made.

And yes prejudices based on race or religion is highly misguided and brings no good to anyone. I’m quite saddened by the fact that Lebanese families that have lived in Oz for generations now fear to go to certain parts of Sydney because of this.

my 2 cents.. the world should stop harping on religious and race issues. esp the media. its just too personal. history has proven time and again that it has never bring anybody any good *sigh*

This particular instance had been brewing from the ongoing harassment of local beach goers by groups of Lebanese youths.

You then get a bunch of vigilantes, whipped up by the media, and reinforced by the racists. The result was what you saw happened.

It is very unfortunate that the greater Lebanese community and indeed that of anyone else who “looked different” had been dragged into this.

Those who got attacked on the weekend demonstrated a classic case of being in “the wrong place at the wrong time”.

Even with the racist issue down, there’s still religion, class political, ideology diff.

Due to their own selfishness and greed, people from the same group will even fight among themselves when there’s no more common “enemy”.

Certain groups will take every op to blow things up. Sometimes even staging it themselves.

Best way is to counter propaganda with propaganda and enforce stricter laws.