Yeah I have an aboriginal friend, she is nice. But I think it's annoying how we can't treat races differently and we must be politically correct,  yet aboriginals and other races get special benefits eg free camps, money each month (my friend gets it, shes like 1/24th aboriginal. Just citing them as an example.

And blahnii some people believe in creationism some in evolution. you are saying that god made everyone thats what you believe?
fair enough.
I dont though.

No argument there pebble, it's just that I feel a lot of other emotions get lumped with racism.  The problem I see here is that bigotry and the undesirable aspects of racism can not be address adequately if it is not correctly identified.

Hatred, racism and jealousy are different emotions emerging from different triggers and demand differing responses.

The people who object to Aborigines receiving extra benefits, as a disadvantage minority, is probably due to jealousy and not necessarily racism.

Dara, I think most people believe that everyone should be treated the same, but I wonder how the participation of women in the workforce may be different today if it was not for proactive discrimination.

Quoted from tramp

The people who object to Aborigines receiving extra benefits, as a disadvantage minority, is probably due to jealousy and not necessarily racism.

Why are they disadvantaged? Giving them extra benefits discriminates against every other minority that may not have as good opportunity as  everyone else. The greatest thing against them are themselves. In my home of Adelaide there is a gang of 49 Aboriginals that is causing havoc all across town. A man lost his life the other week by one that is out on bail.

Why is there so much violence that surrounds them.

A reporter asked Anthony Mundines father as to why he thought he was so disliked. He replied that it was because he was black. That never occurred to me because I was to hung up on the fact that Anthony Mundine may well be the biggest wanker in the southern hemisphere. Its less about the colour of our skin and more about how thin it is. Dont think they arent racist either. Some of the crap I have seen from them suggests it is the other way round.
The sooner people stop seeing in colours and just people the quicker we can move forward. Giving them extra benefits just reafirms that everybody is different and that is the problem.

When I was a youth and looking for work I couldnt get this particular apprenticeship   because it was for aboriginals and torres strait islanders only. Every week the same job sat there while I had to take a job at a salvage/recycling yard. Isnt that racist. Please somebody clear this up for me.

Quoted from The_Pragmatic_One

... When I was a youth and looking for work I couldnt get this particular apprenticeship   because it was for aboriginals and torres strait islanders only. Every week the same job sat there while I had to take a job at a salvage/recycling yard. Isnt that racist. Please somebody clear this up for me.

Yes, that's discrimination on the grounds of race.

The thing is they are not all disadvantaged. You shouldn't judge that on race. My friend buys ipods and a laptop and stuff with the money she gets.
If everyone is meant to be equal then everyone should be treated equally! I agree with what the pragmatic one said.

I think everybody that fits into a certain criteria should receive the same same benefits, no matter what race or colour of their skin.  Sadly this is not the case in many circumstances, their are many "white" battlers out there that are disadvantaged because of the colour of their skin.

Racism has many forms...............

That is really true LB.

Quoted from The_Pragmatic_One

Why are they disadvantaged?

Let me ask you one question:  You go for an interview for a job, you are given the choice to go as an Aborigine or as an Anglo ...what would you choose?

You may not agree with the so called "extra" welfare benefits to Aborigines but the assistance is not based on race but perceived disadvantage.

Did you know that farmers are given "extra" welfare benefits, not available to us, because of their perceived disadvantage despite many having millions in assets even after loans are paid out - is this reverse racism?

If you are upset at the farmers and Aborigines receiving "extra" handouts then you are not racist, but if you are only upset at the Aborigines getting extra handouts then perhaps there is racism in that.

Quoted from dara

If everyone is meant to be equal then everyone should be treated equally!

I agree with the pragmatic one as well, I think Anthony’s mouth is bigger than his brain, but geeze he was a good footballer.

We are not born to be equal and we are not meant to be equal – we are all very different.  We can be different: by choice, environment, or by birth.

How we treat the differences in others defines who we are, not who they are.

Quoted from tramp

Let me ask you one question:  You go for an interview for a job, you are given the choice to go as an Aborigine or as an Anglo ...what would you choose?

Right back at you, who do you think they would choose.  Me the whitey?

Look people hire everyone from every denomination. Ask yourself as to why people think twice before giving them a go. Everyday I see people from India working as doctors I see Asians doing numerous jobs. Its because they are willing to get off their backsides get out there and do something with themselves. They give you no other choice but to hire them based on a good work ethic.

As to part two of youre question.
all my family are from the country and to be honest I do not agree with them getting handouts. If I lost my job would they whip out Lee Kernaghan and raise money for me so I could meet my home repayments. The answer is no.
Its a tough line to take but its the right one if we really want equality for all. One set of rules that are colour blind I say.

The answer is yes, most employers will choose the Anglo over the Aborigine.

I’m all with you here: The people who genuinely persist will eventually get some employment and if they’re good they’ll advance.

There is a perception however, among many, that Aborigines more than any other group, don’t deserve “extra” handouts, but why?  Is it racism or jealousy?

I believe handouts to Aborigines is mostly jealousy, because most Australians just don’t know who or how much welfare other groups and individuals get.  If they knew they’d be just as upset – but there is no one out there with a political agenda continually whipping up hatred towards the Farmers and others.

I know where you’re coming from with the concert thingy.  Why there is this discrepancy in symphony among differing groups could be the subject under another thread – I’m sure there would be plenty of interest.

Honestly I think they lack genuine leadership and role models in their own community. People are to afraid to criticise them because they worry they might be branded some kind of white supremacist.It is counter productive and just misses the point. There has to be a limit on what we can do. At some stage the onus must be on them to carry their end of the log. They cant live in the injustices of the past forever. If the Irish or the Jews did this could you imagine what they would be like. The quicker they get it out of their head that its not about them being black and about all of us being Australians the better off we all will be.

It's called respect or lack of it - money can't buy respect, buy it can buy food and pay the rent.

Quoted from tramp

It's called respect or lack of it -

how do you mean? We respect them or vice a versa