owlrigh

"You don't look Australian."

That's what people say when I ask them why they want to know where I'm from.

What the FUCK does an Australian look like, then? What if I were Aboriginal? Because I've met Aboriginal people with my colouring, and how would they feel to be said that to? Other people cop it too; in a way it's reassurring that I'm not the only one getting the insensitive wankers, but on the other hand it's depressing how pervasive to Australians it is.

The other day I was describing the high school I used to go to, with the wide range of cultural and ethnic backgrounds of the students there; Samoan, Fijian, Indian, Cambodian, Thai, Laotian, Papuan:

"Oh, so there weren't any Australians?"

( angry. )

Jews are taking over the world! Or so goes that hoary old conspiracy theory I heard all over again recently. The first time I ever heard it I told the person to shush and was left uncomfortable because of its anti-Semitic flavour.

"Semites are a race!" I was told. "They include Arabs of the region. And there are more white Jews, anyway."

Anti-Jewish flavour, then.

This time around I listened to the unfolding saga of "twenty-one Jewish families who rule the world."

"They are in power all over the United States." And he listed some of the more prominent political positions held by Jewish people.

I didin't notice anyone carrying on about a Christian conspiracy -- see all the Christians in power, oh my god! Surely up to no good.

( It went on further ... )