By Anne O'Callaghan
PERTH — You know that the system is in trouble when they start playing the race card. It's like beating up some of the passengers on the Titanic — it makes some people feel in control, while the ship keeps sinking.
This is how Arun Pradhan, Perth Resistance organiser, describes the current upturn of racism in Australia. Hanson's comments are perhaps the most insane aspect of this offensive, he told Green Left Weekly, adding that the ideological attack on Aborigines and Asian migrants was, however, well in swing before she even got on to the scene.
While welcoming some establishment commentators' rejection of Hanson, Pradhan stressed their limitations. "The mainstream anti-racist debate is presently based on economic arguments, on defending trade with Asia or the need to attract overseas students. It is superficial, short-sighted and ignores the material basis and interests behind racism."
"The Liberals budget cuts are an attack on working people in general, but particularly on those of colour and non-Anglo background. Even their industrial relations policies and restrictions on trade unions' right to organise will have particular racial implications. Capital has actually needed this racist offensive to justify its broader program of cuts."
In response, Resistance in Perth is stepping up its campaign against racism. It has organised a picket and speak-out in the city on the afternoon of November 8, with several groups and individuals also sponsoring the action. That night Resistance will show the film Panther. A Rock against Racism with a range of artists and bands has also been organised for December 7. Pradhan told Green Left that Resistance is also stepping up its information and leaflet distribution to young people on high schools and campuses.
There are a lot of people beginning to act against racism, Pradhan told Green Left. Part of Resistance's aim in this campaign is to link up as many of these people as possible.
Pradhan sees this wave of racism as a long-term problem: "While capitalism continues to destroy our environment, our jobs, our health, welfare and education, capitalists will try to blame migrants and indigenous people to take the pressure off the system. We will be using our campaign to look beyond scapegoating to the roots of the problem, and to raise demands that challenge this system.
"We are building support for immediate demands like sacking Hanson and funding migrant services, but that is only the beginning", he said. We have to start looking to an alternative. The current rise of racism is yet another urgent reminder of the need to fight for socialism."