The cognitive dissonance older generations experience is such a big obstacle in any social change. Young people are being exposed to so many new ideas about racism and colonialism. I’m excited to see what happens in the next 30-50 years (assuming climate change and disease doesn’t kill us all first lol)

There are so many issues in here that it is difficult for me to see racism as the only problem.

There is a problem of safety on public transport in Perth I know, and it is well documented. Perhaps together we can hold the public transport service providers accountable for ensuring safe passage for all travellers. Passengers themselves also need to be accountable for behaviour on public transport. It is also about mutual respect and that is something that each of us needs to consider.

I am well aware of the problems experienced by Aboriginal people and it saddens me that to date we do not appear to be reaching solutions. Racism grows also and takes hold, when unacceptable behaviour is apparent and when people become fearful for their own and their loved ones safety. I don’t know about this case, but it is certainly my experience having travelled by bus and train frequently that I have been concerned at unacceptable behaviour. Particularly this is so when groups of people are involved. Because people do not accept unacceptable behaviour, does not make them racist.

Clearly the email to you was rife with raw emotion and seemed racist to me, however I was not on that train and I don’t know what fuelled it.

I understand and recognise the limitations aboriginal people live under and it is unacceptable. I see the outcomes of unacceptable behaviour in public places by Aboriginals and neither is that acceptable. At some point it needs to be realised, there will be no solution outside of mutual respect and the space of safety among people – any people, any group of people with any other group of people.

If we cannot be safe within proximity of one another – then problems will continue to occur. Personally I believe we have much more that joins us than separates us, but how can we come together in safe space to work on interdependent solutions that benefit all, when anger and fear dictate our actions and create outcomes that increase the distance between Aboriginal and non Aboriginal?

We may not have the answers but we need to start being honest about the fact that racism does not occur in a vacuum and neither does unacceptable behaviour. And we need to start asking questions that reflect a desire to work in partnership and to recognise not one of us is without flaws. Not one of us is pure of heart. We are human. We make mistakes.

I’d we cannot do this in Australia ….then where???

Lee