How Does Ethnocentrism Affect Australian Society

The purpose of this report is to address ethnocentrism and Islamophobia in Australian society and how it can be reduced. This report will cover three key points. The history of ethnocentrism in Australia, how extreme versions of ethnocentrism such as Islamophobia is effecting Australian society, and how it can be resolved. This information has been drawn from peer reviewed academic journals and online newspaper articles.

ISSUE

History of Ethnocentrism

Australia has a long ugly history of racism and xenophobia that date back to the early beginnings of colonisation and forced biological and cultural assimilation of indigenous peoples to the white/Anglo British culture. Historically colonization was justified for saving primitive cultures

1279). Ethnocentric views of the ‘other’ can lead to discrimination, as it puts ‘coloured’ immigrants at a disadvantage by having less of a chance of receiving employment, compared to a white Australians, even if they have the same qualifications. Rodgers (2015) discusses the institutionalised discrimination Australian Muslims face in regard to unemployment continues today. Even though many have high education levels they suffer low employment outcomes. Studies also found that people with foreign-sounding names, particularly Middle Eastern, had a less chance of receiving job interviews than one with an Anglo-Saxon name. A current example of institutional discrimination is an IT worker in NSW was threatened with dismissal, because he was praying in his own time at work, for Muslim dietary reasons of food respecting. However, many situations like these are dismissed in courts as they do not come under the anti-discrimination laws. (Bloul 2008, p.18). Measham (2014) discusses the challenge that was faced when the Australian Islamic Mission consulted to build a mosque for the Muslims in the area of Bendigo. Protests immerged and rallies which lead to nearly one million of tax payer’s money going towards the police. A former army officer Bernard Garnor

She gives 6 points of entry.

First is inquiry which is a desire and willingness to learn and understand. Second is framing, which helps us to step back and look at the bigger picture. Third is positioning, which is understanding where you fit in that big picture. Forth is dialogue, which has two dimensions, the first is oppositional, where you disagree with someone or not share the same view, and the second is transformational dimension, where you go under some kind of change yourself. Fifth, is reflection and reflecting on our own actions. And finally taking action, whether it be big or small, to counter injustice and hegemony. By engaging in any of these, ethnocentrism and in-group bias can be reduced, and we can critically analyse and even create new perceptions on different issues and