Australia's Government Criticized for Avoiding the Term 'Racism'

Three months after Florida implemented a ban on Chinese citizens owning property in the state, the impact is being felt by both buyers and real estate agents. Some agents report losing business as families walk away from deals [71782f99]. The ban, which was approved by Governor Ron DeSantis and the Republican-led Legislature, restricts people from 'foreign countries of concern' including China, Russia, Iran, North Korea, Cuba, Venezuela, and Syria from owning property in Florida. However, the law is facing a legal challenge as unconstitutional and a violation of the federal Fair Housing Act [b1f3a3fc]. The plaintiffs argue that the law is discriminatory and perpetuates stereotypes against Chinese people, while U.S. District Judge Allen Winsor, who rejected a preliminary injunction against the law, stated that it does not discriminate based on race or national origin [b1f3a3fc].

This ban on Chinese homeownership comes at a time when concerns about China's global influence and its treatment of its own citizens are already in the spotlight. China's new law on religion, titled 'Order-19', has sparked global concerns [a232f794]. Experts warn that the law aims to eradicate religious faiths in China and is a form of 'communistization' of religion. The law is expected to impact millions of Chinese citizens and those in occupied and colonized regions like Tibet, East Turkistan (Xinjiang), and Southern Mongolia. The international community is urged to take action to prevent further harm [a232f794].

China's fragility and global authoritarian aspirations are evident in its response to criticism. Beijing's harsh reaction to a comment by German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock, referring to Xi Jinping as a dictator, highlights its sensitivity to challenges to the party's rule [549b6f49]. China's efforts to control media narratives in Pakistan have also raised concerns about press freedom and diversity of voices. These actions reflect China's desire to maintain control and suppress dissenting voices both domestically and internationally, impacting global perceptions of its leadership [549b6f49].

Several U.S. states, including Florida, have passed laws that severely restrict Chinese nationals' ability to buy property. These laws are justified using post-9/11 security concerns, similar to the discrimination faced by Muslims. The Chinese Exclusion Act of 1882 and alien land laws from the 19th and 20th centuries are cited as historical precedents. However, these laws are facing resistance, with opposition and lawsuits challenging their constitutionality. The laws threaten to provoke discrimination against East Asians and harm immigrant communities. Lessons from the struggle against post-9/11 Islamophobic policies should be applied to fight against anti-Chinese and anti-Asian discrimination [5814234b].

Asian Americans in the U.S. face discrimination due to stereotypes of being foreigners and a model minority. A survey conducted by Pew Research Center found that 78% of Asian adults have been treated as foreigners, even if they were born in the U.S. This includes incidents such as being told to go back to their home country or being criticized for speaking a language other than English. Additionally, 63% of Asian adults have experienced incidents where people assume they are a model minority, such as being assumed to be good at math and science. The survey also revealed that 57% of Asian adults see discrimination against Asians in the U.S. as a major problem, and 63% believe that too little attention is paid to race and racial issues concerning Asian Americans [ceb6ee0a]. The discrimination experiences vary among different Asian ethnic groups and immigrant generations. The report provides a historical context of anti-Asian discrimination in the U.S. and highlights the impact of the 'model minority' stereotype on Asian Americans.

A new study conducted by nonprofit The Asian American Foundation reveals that a majority of Asian Americans in New York City have altered aspects of their lives to prevent being the target of an anti-Asian incident. Three-quarters of Asian Americans in the city have adopted at least one 'avoidance behavior,' such as not taking public transit or speaking in their native tongue. Younger Asian Americans are more likely to adapt their behavior. The study surveyed 1,000 NYC-based Asian Americans and found that 36% feared being verbally or physically attacked due to their race, and 48% avoided going out late at night. Additionally, 41% refrained from taking public transit, and 17% refrained from speaking their native tongue in public. Public safety is the top issue for Asian American New Yorkers, with 78% of respondents saying it was either a 'major problem' or 'somewhat of a problem.' The study also found that about half of the respondents reported being targeted in 2023 due to their race or ethnicity, and 1 in 5 reported experiencing physical attacks or assaults. The study suggests that the decrease in hate crimes recorded by the New York Police Department may be due to disparities in reporting and the way crimes are recorded. Many Asian Americans feel uncomfortable reporting their experiences, and 54% of respondents did not report to anyone. The study highlights the ongoing issue of anti-Asian hatred and violence in the city. [4b92fe53]

In an opinion piece published in Fortune, Deepa Purushothaman discusses the negative impact of the 'model minority' designation on Asian Americans and argues for the need to define their own identities. She shares her personal experience as a second-generation Indian American and highlights the challenges and pressures faced by Asian immigrants. Purushothaman criticizes the model minority myth for reducing Asian Americans to hard workers and meek appeasers, and argues that it is harmful and sets them against other marginalized communities. She calls for reclaiming and reimagining the model minority trope, emphasizing the diversity and strength of Asian American cultures and histories. Purushothaman encourages Asian Americans to speak up, show pride, and be their whole selves, inspiring others to do the same [9d1a0df7].

Australia has more place names containing the racial slur 'Chinaman' than any other country with significant Asian migration, with 253 such place names found. The names reinforce stereotypes and discrimination, and are remnants of Australia's racist past. The use of the term 'Chinaman' emerged as a derogatory racial slur in Australia during the 1800s, coinciding with the country's gold rush. The racist ideologies that have endured since then make discussions about changing these place names difficult. While some argue that the term can have cultural nuances, many find it offensive and belittling. Calls for renaming these places after individuals and providing historical context have been made [a19252d9].

Australia's Race Discrimination Commissioner Giridharan Sivaraman says that some levels of the Australian government don't even want to use the word 'racism'. A new report by the Australian Human Rights Commission has found that the government lacks a coherent, unified approach to dealing with racism. The report highlights the need for the government to acknowledge and address racism in order to effectively combat it [516340ca].