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John Howard says he ‘always had trouble’ with the concept of multiculturalism
(www.theguardian.com)
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Doesnt sound as bad when the quote has context:
Multiculturalism is a concept that I’ve always had trouble with. I take the view that if people want to emigrate to a country, then they adopt the values and practices of that country, And in return they’re entitled to have the host citizenry respect their culture without trying to create some kind of federation of tribes and culture – you get into terrible trouble with that.”
I think one of the problems with multiculturalism is we try too hard to institutionalise differences, rather than celebrate what we have in [common].
The man's a deeply committed white supremacist and that's the context of him "having trouble" with multiculturalism.
He jailed refugees in the desert for years, then in concentration camps on tiny islands. During his tenure an "Australian style immigration system" was explicitly being called for by neo-nazis and far right groups across Europe.
He thinks there should be fewer asian australians in the interest of "social cohesion".
He hates aboriginal people, denied that they suffered a genocide and dissolved the only government body that represented aboriginal Australians.
John Howard's whole appeal was being the goofy-looking face of brutalizing anyone not white.
Calling him a deeply committed white supremacist might be a little of an exaggeration.
If he was a committed white supremacist then the goal with refugees and immigrants would be don't let em in/kill them all, however I've made a handy little plot of all Permanent additions over his entire prime ministerial carrier.
This is by every country blue one at the top is the total doesn't look like white supremacy to me (the 2 with hard drop-offs 2001-2002 are both a result of the kiwis). 1
Don't know what he said about Asians but I've heard one in three Chinese at university is a spy either by choice or coercion.
The genocide debate I believe was because he doesn't see the stolen generation as genocide its a definition issue and by that logic and the definition of a genocide below it doesn't technically count (sounds like a greasy politician weaseling his way out of a difficult situation by technicality). 2
genocide /jĕn′ə-sīd″/ noun
However the united nations includes this line: forcibly transferring children out of the group. So long answer is it depends on what definition your using.
By the definition he is technically correct.
None of this is in any way defending him or even saying that he isn't a white supremacist just though that your representation or more likely the headlines from what the guardian said his legacy was is a little misleading.
Also who are you to say that his beliefs haven't changed since when he was in office I would like to think that all people are developing and improving their own ideas throughout the entirety of their lives.
This man's primary religion was keeping getting re-elected at all costs. Immigration kept the economy going well, so he was for it. Just didn't talk about it.
[citation required]
Howard dying will be a great day.
Does it feel good wishing death upon someone?
This man changed Australia for the far worse. So yeah, it feels fine.