THE racism report conducted by the Macquarie University and the University of NSW is a very dubious document, not only because of its statistics but also of its very loose interpretation of those statistics.
That the question, "Would you be concerned if a close relative married a Muslim", is the benchmark for deciding whether or not one is racist is absurd. The reasons one may answer yes to this question could be many and varied and certainly not because of any racial prejudice.
As an Australian who would answer yes to that question, I very much resent being labelled a racist. If a Muslim family lived next door, would I be friendly? Yes. Would I help out if they were in trouble? Yes. Would I want my daughter to marry into the family?. Absolutely not. Because the cultural divide is too great.
I would not want to see my daughter dressed in a veil, not allowed to answer the front door, subservient to her husband. I would hate to think she could not do a few laps in the public pool, could not meet male and female friends for coffee.
I would not like to think my grandchildren would go into arranged marriages, meeting their spouses on their engagement night. Most of all, I would regret to see her renounce her beliefs.
This is not racist ‑ it is an acknowledgment of cultural differences, while at the same time respecting the right of Muslims to live as they see fit.
If Macquarie University was to conduct a study asking Muslims if they would be concerned if a close relative married an Australian Christian or Jewish man, I think we could safely anticipate a huge proportion answering yes. Does this mean nearly all Muslims are racist? of A course not. I think they respect Australians and wish to be on good terms with non‑Muslims, but they just do not believe in our lifestyle. That is their prerogative and it would be wrong to label them racist as the two universities most certainly would if they were to be consistent in their findings.