In a fairly general view, the short answer is yes. Often the first, too often the second, and all too casually the third.
How it will play out as the series progresses, however, will be the most interesting part of this staged experiment. Like or loathe Joe Hildebrand he carries just the right about of mongrel dickhead about him to deliver the hosting duties of this show – from tour guide to sideshow ringmaster, leading 4 Indians from varied professional backgrounds on a tour of Australia to see the good, bad and very ugly of what the country has to offer. They’ve all got their own opinions of Aussies – most of which fairly falls into the “dumb, drunk and racist” category.
Can we change their minds? Will our behaviour only solidify the preconceived and prejudiced ideas with which they come? Are they simply afraid of that which they don’t know or understand? Are Australians mostly tools who have no idea of how they function as global citizens? Will the real Joe Hildebrand please stand up?
Dumb, Drunk and Racist – Starts 20 June, ABC2.
I think there is a large proportion of Australians that are ‘dumb,drunk & racist’. They are largely a product of their ignorant upbringing. I think a lot of other countries have this same opinion of us as well, not just India.
I am an Australian with Greek origins. I have faced some racism in my 46 years & I get very upset when people are racist. I feel that Asians & Indians now face the sort of racism that my parents faced when they first came to Australia.
I don’t believe in painting everybody with the same brush, & that everyone from every country should be more patient & tolerant. Everybody has a story, we do not know everybody’s story, & we don’t know what has been going in somebody’s life to make them act & react in specific ways.
People need to conduct themselves with more respect for themselves, & for other people. They also need to be prepared to suffer the consequences of their actions.
I particularly dislike sentences that begin with “I’m not racist but….” – a sure sign they are racist!
As for the ‘drunk’ bit – what is it in the Australian culture that says drinking to excess is so good! Asian & European cultures treat alcohol differently, most of the people that get blind drunk in these countries are Australians, British, & Scandinavians – these are the minority that give each country the bad reputation.
Dumb = ignorance
Drunk = ignorance
Racist = ignorance