Race relations are the order of the day in Australia. Yesterday, the Australian government said sorry to the Aboriginal community for past grievances by previous governments, specifically in regard to the 'Stolen Generation'.

I'll admit freely to being largely ignorant of Australian history. However, a brief synopsis for those not familiar. The British began colonising Australia in 1788 AD, as they needed somewhere to send their convicts, due to overcrowding. Aborigines were already indigenous to Australia, and estimates predict they have been here for 40,000-50,000 years. Between 1869 and 1969, by government policy, Aboriginal children, usually of mixed descent, were taken from their families and put into foster homes and orphanages. These children are referred to as 'The Stolen Generation'.

My brief research for the above paragraph turned up something interesting. A wikipedia search of 'colonisation of Australia' redirects to 'History of Australia 1788-1850'. There is not a single mention of Aborigines or indigenous Australians in that article. The introduction of smallpox and other disease carried by the Britains killed off 50% of the indigenous population. Sure, wikipedia is not always a reliable source, but that seems significant enough to be included if you ask me...

But I'm getting a bit off track. My knowledge of Aborigines and their trials and tribulations since colonisation is minimal. I'm not here to give my opinion about whether apologising is right or wrong, as I don't particularly have one. Rather I had one of those moments where you question your own beliefs and actions. I've never thought I'm a racist. But am I right in that assessment? After all, I have only white friends. Is that evidence that on a subconscious level I may be racist?

First we have to establish what racism is. There are several dictionary definitions; I think the most appropriate in context of the topic is 'discriminatory or abusive behaviour towards members of another race'. I can rule out abusive behaviour. The definition of discriminate is 'to make a distinction in favor of or against a person or thing on the basis of the group, c1ass or category to which the person or thing belongs rather than according to actual merit'.

That's where things get tricky. Where is the line between respecting and appreciating the differences in race, and making assumptions or acting in response to racial stereotypes? Something that made me raise this question recently was during Christmas week. I'm not Christian, but my family celebrates Christmas in a typical commercial manner, and in our retail business, we usually wish people a Merry Christmas during that week. I served what appeared to be an Indian man, and I consciously decided not to wish him a Merry Christmas. I assumed there was a higher chance that he did not celebrate Christmas, or might even take offence if I mentioned it.

In that case, I did not want to offend him, which you could say is admirable, or good natured. So my distinction is that is not racist; I bore him no ill. But I'm also going to freely admit that a long time ago in the past I have been walking alone towards an oncoming group of Aborigines, and felt a little scared. I still bore them no ill, but stereotyping had created a sense of insecurity, a perception that there was an increased chance that they might inflict physical harm upon me than if the group had been white. Of course, nothing happened, I probably nodded and said hi as I walked by. Is that racism? I suspected there was an increased chance they would hurt me based on their race, and had an increased negative emotional reaction in response.

So where does racism begin? I bear no ill to anyone so long as they lead a moral life. While my current circle of friends is white, I'm certain I wouldn't deny inducting someone into that circle of friends because of their race. On the odd occasion I've caught myself thinking 'maybe I should try harder to have friends of different racial backgrounds'. If I have friends of other races, then I can't possibly be racist. But in that thought process, I'm singling out race as a reason to have them as friends. Is that racist?

It's all a bit complex really. I'm going to stick by me not being racist. Where is the line between respecting someone's racial differences and being prejudiced? I'm not sure. I think racial stereotypes (whether justified or not) are so ingrained in our cultures that until a new person we meet of that race deviates from it, it's our first point of reference. I just hope that moving forward I make a more conscious effort to judge people on their own merits.

What are your thoughts on the matter? Despite your best intentions, have you found yourself with thoughts that could be considered racist?