'Racist' anti-racists?
At the recent NSW state Broad Left meeting in Newcastle, in discussion around protests and campaigns against the Howard government's Border Protection Act, it was suggested that, in order to keep within the "principle" of autonomous organising, these protests should be run and initiated by students from non-English speaking backgrounds (NESB). This orientation is problematic in that it tends to lead to isolation and ghettoisation of struggles.
Those who advocate the "principle" of autonomous organising do so based on the belief that an individual's identity and experience determine their actions (thus, all whites are inherently racist). From this standpoint, the only way in which oppression can be overcome is by the oppressed groups organising separately. In the case of racism, this means indigenous and NESB individuals organising in their own collectives.
At the meeting, advocates of autonomous organising questioned the right of organisations, such as Resistance and the Democratic Socialist Party, whose memberships include both people who experience racism and those who don't, to initiate campaigns against racism, and argued that for the DSP or Resistance to do so is itself racist. Yet, Resistance called the high school walkouts in July, August and September 1998 that involved more than 20,000 students. Such protests have been important in mobilising anti-racist sentiment in Australia since Pauline Hanson's inaugural speech to parliament in 1996.
To defeat the racist offensive by the Howard government and to carry out the changes in society necessary to overturn the systemic causes of racism, there must be the broadest possible movement which is open to all those who support its objectives. This cannot be achieved if anti-racists are rejected as racist because they are white. That can only narrow and weaken the anti-racism movement.
Wollongong
[Abridged.]
Pinochet
The statement by the British home secretary Jack Straw that he is "minded" to return the former dictator General Pinochet to Chile without trial has been met with protests and legal challenges in Britain and internationally.
After a medical examination by medical experts who said that the former dictator was "unfit" to stand trial, the home secretary's comments were leaked to Pinochet supporters, who in turned leaked it to the press.
The medical experts who examined Pinochet are said to be the wrong experts: there was no psychiatrist specialising in old age, which is what you would expect as the General's supporters are saying that it is the mental difficulties of old age that means that he is unable to stand trial. Also, the medical reports are not being made available to Pinochet's opponents but only to his supporters.
One has to ask why this is so and why the medical report has not been released. What is there to hide?
The procedure of secret medical reports is also against usual legal practice where medical experts on either side of the dispute have their own experts examine the patient, submit the reports to the court and then allow a court, rather than a politician, to decide.
In some of the most moving scenes of the whole episode, former torture victims and relatives of the "disappeared" are outside whenever Pinochet is bounced back into the courts. Protesters also remain outside the Chilean embassy, reminding those inside that although the supporters of Pinochet would like us to forget the crimes he committed, those concerned around the world about human rights are not prepared to allow a state-sponsored murderer to walk free.
London
[Abridged.]
Feminist genie
I agree with Karen Fletcher that there must be an upsurge in the movement for women's liberation, but the attack on the suburban kitchen and the necessary attention given to housework and children is not what holds the movement back. Rather, it is the failure to free women from the economic reliance on men; this lack of freedom is particularly so for women with dependent children.
Women will continue to be mothers. The area of economic independence for mothers is an area which should be of great concern to all. What is really unfortunate is that we have failed to get to the point where all women can support themselves and their children without the patriarchal imperative of the traditional nuclear family unit.
There has always been the economic punishment for those of us who have left the marriage or relationship to parent alone and the recent program of social engineering by the Howard government is beginning to bear fruit as women find it harder and harder to survive, should they live outside the desired family unit.
The feminist movement must do more in support of the mothers. Real liberation for women will be achieved when they are able to provide for themselves and their children without depending on a man.
Feminists must fight to see the roles of mother and homemaker respected and rewarded for their true value. By paying mothers a truly liveable wage they could choose to care for their child with dignity or they could use the money to provide quality child-care while they work or study.
Till this is done, the feminist genie has not been let out of the bottle.
Melbourne
[Abridged.]
Useless
We know that we have what is probably the worst government this century. It no doubt applauds the actions of the scum of the working class who so readily inflict pain and suffering on BHP workers.
Though there must be a few among the attackers who act with some reluctance, the majority can only blame themselves for the fact that for decades they have been known as "the filth".
Clearly it would be quite useless to write to a Murdoch paper. Its totally anti-union editorial in the January 20 Australian is sickening.
Henley Beach SA
Ras-putin
Mr Putin, newly appointed acting President of Russia, has come into office on a wave of popularity due to his uncompromising pursuit of the war in Chechnya.
Mr Putin, however, should not be surprised if, reminded of the unsavoury monk whose pernicious influence on the last Czar and his wife in the early years of the 20th century helped bring on the Russian revolution, the Russian people now see Mr Putin taking on a new identity as agent of further calamity — as Rasputin!
Toowong Qld
Native title
I recently heard an interview on the ABC regional news (13/1) criticising non-Aboriginal groups for being involved in Native Title issues.
Gordon Coulthard, an Adnyamathanha man from Port Augusta, commented that "green groups" had no right to be involved in the native title process. He claimed that "Native Title is only for Aboriginal people and the tribunal, mining companies and pastoral property owners".
It seems that Gordon Coulthard failed to realise that there are many groups, individuals and companies that have interests in this land. Many environmental groups, individuals and field professionals have been asked by Aboriginal peoples to give independent advice, assistance and support in native title agreements and negotiations with mining companies. Environmentalists, Indigenous and non-Indigenous, have become involved where the government and concerned bodies have failed to give proper consultation and understanding to all those concerned.
Uranium mining and Native Title are issues that affect all Australians, not only land holders. Those living and working on proposed transportation routes of radioactive substances, at the ports of shipment, near a nuclear reactor or waste dump, have every right to become involved. It is to the benefit of all Australians' health and safety that, where there are mining companies wishing to exploit extremely dangerous substances, environmental groups oversee the practices and environmental impacts of these companies' operations.
Aboriginal people value their future, this land and the protection of their sacred sites, something for which all Australian people should be proud. Under international law we are obligated to protect the rights, safety and survival of the Indigenous Peoples of this country. People are sick of watching mining companies use "conquer and divide" tactics and bribery to divide traditional custodians of the land for their own profit. Uranium mining affects all Australians. The nuclear cycle which ends in war and radioactive waste.
Copley SA
[Abridged.]