Hooligans
There should be no place for any kind of hatred in Australia.
Last week, neo-Nazis congregated at a gymnasium in Melbourne’s western suburbs while in a separate incident, a neo-Nazi flyer was distributed to letterboxes in Melbourne.
Australia is one of the most successful multicultural societies in the world. Yet there are those who, for whatever reason, wish to sow disharmony in our social fabric.
Whether the bilious political beliefs of these individuals are a result of their personal inadequacies or some failure of society, they sadly feel the need to shout their evil propaganda from the rooftops; the same propaganda that resulted in the wholesale extermination of six million Jews by the Nazis.
These hooligans are an embarrassment; they bring shame to this country.
And yet we are comforted that those who hold these vile views are in the minority.
Most Australians share our disgust at the beliefs and activities of these few individuals. We can be reassured that these few delinquents who are trying to create discord may be loud in voice, but small in number.
The laws of Australia are starting to catch up with them. Both the Victorian and NSW state governments have banned the public display of Nazi symbols, Victoria intends to ban the Nazi salute, and the federal government has introduced legislation to ban the display of and trade in items featuring two of the most common Nazi insignia.
While law enforcement has a role to play in countering these hoodlums, we too can act to quash their goals.
When they shout with ignorance, we must respond with education. Our Holocaust museums already do a fantastic job. Organisations like Courage to Care similarly take a positive message to the community. Our state and federal roof bodies continue to engage and advocate with respect to education. We need to continue to inform wider Australia both about the Holocaust, the importance of tolerance and our people’s history, religion and customs.
When they try to divide, we must engage. When they spout hate, we must show compassion, showing solidarity with other minority groups and facing shared challenges together.
This is how we defeat this neo-Nazi nuisance – by striving to continue doing everything that they stand against.
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