From the desk of Roland Rocchiccioli – 13 October

A Jewish colleague said of a friend, “She hates homosexuals, and she thinks it’s disgusting that Meghan Markel’s mother is black; but for all that, she really is a very nice woman.”

Slightly taken-aback, I stared, momentarily, then responded, “Hitler wasn’t all bad. He loved dogs, and he was a vegetarian. He just hated Jews, and murdered 7-million of them.” She shuffled in embarrassment, choosing to remain silent. I waited a moment, then, with steam pouring out of my ears, I suggested she needed to seriously raise her standards when it came to willingly embracing dubious friendship. It is astounding how willingly, and thoughtlessly, people accept, and practice, nonchalant racism, bigotry, and discrimination, without a moment of consideration. It is part of their lives; their daily jargon. For whatever reason, many Australians are comfortably unaware of their objectionable and divisive mind-set. Extremism is demonstrated by language. For a percentage of men, and women, the ultimate insult is to add sexuality or colour – sometimes both – to one of the nation’s two most-favoured vernacular, offensive descriptors; however, they do not, for the most part, perceive it as racist rant. Critics are summarily dismissed as thin-skinned; disparagingly labelled as politically correct police gone mad; and the insult brushed aside as a mere turn-of-phrase, however injurious it might be to the recipient of the insult, and the sensibilities of the vilified minority.

Racism is not inherent. It is learned, usually from parents, associates, specific milieu, and our social and main-stream media, where the polarising rhetoric needs to be toned-down; to be less pejorative; and less dangerous. Its seeming normalisation is disquieting. Shock jocks, and some stridently opinionated radio and television commentators, have an important role to play in educating and eradicating the ugly social canker. We must reject the toxic, inflammatory, headline-grabbing tirades which hold such appeal, and which serve only to help destroy the fabric of our delicate society, and fuel menacing divisions, and ugly reactions. Words and slogans have consequences. They have the capacity to incite hatred. We must speak-out when we are confronted by casual racism, wherever and whenever. We have a responsibility to call to account, and silence, those public figures whose simplistic, misinformed, and ill-informed assertions do nothing to advance the narrative, or solve the problem. Simplistic allegations and populist resolutions are dangerous, and short-term.

Racism has a deep-rooted basis in white supremacism, and has been an established part of Australia’s ethos since white colonisation. The first Australians were not classified as citizens of their own country. Until recent times the Aborigine – the ‘noble savage’ – was considered invisible. They were excluded from voting until 1962, and, finally, counted in the 1971 census.

While my mother, Beria, did not notice the colour of people’s skin, I grew-up surrounded by unrestrained racism. Siblings and relations were unconsciously and overtly racist. It was the prevailing status quo. The blacks were inferior and treated accordingly. When one family member found a wallet containing a large amount of money, it was returned to its owner. The relative later said of his act of his kindness, “I wouldn’t have given it back if I’d known it belong to a bloody Abo.” He was serious.

The image of the two New York toddlers who spotted each other from a distance, and then ran, headlong, arms outstretched in preparation for an embrace, is proof positive that racism is learned. Clearly, neither of these tiny tots is aware of the other’s colour. They love each other for what they are; two fellow travellers on the path of life, and whose trajectories, guided by their enlightened parents, have intersected with love and joy. It’s a Panglossian concept, but if only that were the way of the world!

Roland can be heard every Monday morning – 10.30 – on radio 3BA and you can email him [email protected].