Letters: Pauline Hanson’s burqa stunt raises racism questions
Is Pauline Hanson wearing a burqa into the Senate racist and cause for rebuke?
As a consequence of her daring to wear a burqa into that supposedly august chamber otherwise known as the Senate, in order to prove her point about why burqas should be banned everywhere in Australia, Senator Pauline Hanson has been rebuked by various other occupants of the Senate (C-M, 25/11).
Apparently Hanson, by merely choosing to illustrate the viewpoints held by an increasing number of Australians who vote for her, is accused of being racist, Islamophobic and of disrespecting and cheapening the parliament.
For the life of me I can’t fathom why one woman’s attire can possibly damage the reputation of a parliament that in recent years has so badly neglected the needs of so many of the people it is supposed to care for.
How can a parliament that has already disrespected the rights and welfare of so many Australians possibly feel that it has been disrespected by the presence of a solitary burqa in its midst?
Crispin Walters, Chapel Hill
While I do not agree with Pauline Hanson’s politics, I do agree with her that the burqa should be banned in Australia – at least in public places.
It was banned in public places in France in 2011 with no apparent breakdown in Islam since that time.
I do agree with Hanson, as do a large number of other non-racist people, that the burqa is a symbol of oppression and subjugation of women under Islam.
The horrors inflicted on women in the name of Islam are many and well documented.
Apparently the Australian Senate simply chooses to ignore these human rights violations in any discussions of Islam.
As to labelling Hanson a racist, she might very well be, but her views on the burqa do not constitute evidence of that racism.
Islam is not a race, but rather a belief system, a social construct the same as all religions and political beliefs.
Like all belief systems they should be open to scrutiny.
No belief system should be held to be sacrosanct.
No belief system should be beyond open examination.
Indeed, this very concept goes to the underpinning of western liberal democracies.
So, to the Senate and others, please stop using the cheap, unedifying and unhelpful expedients of the label of “racism”, particularly in relation to belief systems.
Such usage has the tendency to bring any conversation of any kind to an end and merely promotes ill will on all sides.
The results of such usage may be the ongoing harm of one or more portions of society and limit the intellectually rigorous discussion which is a cornerstone of our society.
Kevin Parrott, Basin Pocket
Pauline Hanson’s repeat burqa stunt in the Senate on Monday was an absolute disgrace.
However, the concerning part is that there are people out there who think she is wonderful and the answer to Australia’s problems.
John Forrest, The Gap
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WEAK PEACE DEAL
I suggest Steve Pink (Letters, 25/11) is seriously misguided if he thinks doing a deal with the 28-point plan attributed to US President Donald Trump will end the Ukraine war.
Many commentators argue this plan was leaked by the Russians as a wish list, and Trump’s unseen version that Ukraine is taking seriously forms a better basis for negotiations (“Inching toward peace”, C-M, 25/11).
Indeed, every one of the 28 points is designed to weaken Ukraine and its European allies with no concessions from Russia.
Yes, regardless of any justifications, the outcome is determined on the battlefield, that has now reached an effective stalemate that would take enormous extra effort from either side to win.
This includes Russia that has been suffering enormous casualties, way beyond Ukraine’s.
Giving in to Russian President Vladimir Putin’s wish list would enable him to regroup and restart hostilities, as occurred after his previous capture of Crimea and parts of eastern Ukraine.
Unfortunately, Putin holds some form of sway over Trump that complicates negotiations.
Trump must be told his legacy will forever be tarnished by an ineffective ceasefire based on flawed assumptions designed around his ego.
Donald Maclean, Fig Tree Pocket
I read Steve Pink’s letter suggesting that might is right and Ukraine should be sacrificed to Vladimir Putin on the altar of expediency with increasing dismay.
What did the thousands of Diggers who died fighting Hitler and Japan die for?
When Hitler annexed Austria and the Sudetenland in 1938, and the rest of Czechoslovakia in 1939, then snaffled Poland, Denmark, Norway and the Netherlands in 1940, Pink’s reasoning would have led Winston Churchill to sue for peace at any cost.
After all, Hitler looked invincible.
Thank heavens our forebears were made of sterner stuff and recognised that tyranny cannot be allowed to prevail.
The Western democracies have a lot to answer for to Ukraine.
History will judge us harshly if we allow the murderous Putin – aided and abetted by an American President who stands for nothing but his own self-aggrandisement – to succeed in this invasion.
Mike Butler, Deception Bay
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TEST BID ISN’T CRICKET
Once upon a time, a body called the Australian Cricket Board was entrusted to look after the health, status and competitiveness of Australian cricket, for both domestic and international duties.
But like for many other sports competition managers, the era of professionalism and commercialisation changed all that.
Cricket Australia was spawned and a new vision for Australian cricket created.
Your story “Gabba first Test at a cost” (C-M, 25/11) illustrates just how far we have foolishly come.
Rather than setting up the timetable for a Test series to complement our playing strengths, Cricket Australia now seems to think it is reasonable to set up a bidding war between state governments to obtain Test hosting rights.
No more the logic of maximising the home advantage of a humid Gabba green top.
That said, these rules do not seem to apply to the Melbourne and Sydney Tests which have apparently attained “cult status” and are therefore exempt.
So, we now have the unedifying spectacle of the premiers of Queensland, South Australia, Western Australia and Tasmania all trying to throw in sweeteners to attract a Test match.
It’s just not cricket.
Peter Stirk, Holland Park
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FAREWELL TO A LIFE OF SERVICE
The funeral of former Queensland Police Union president Ian Leavers (pictured) held on Monday in Brisbane
(C-M, 25/11) was a heartfelt and dignified farewell to a man who touched so many lives.
The service reflected Ian’s character – warm, generous and deeply committed to his community.
He was widely respected across the community for his integrity, leadership and kindness.
His legacy is one of service, compassion and unwavering dedication to making a positive difference.
The tributes spoke of the countless ways he enriched the lives of others, and it is clear that his influence will continue to inspire future generations.
In times like these, we are reminded of the importance of compassion and connection.
Ian exemplified these values, and his memory will encourage us to uphold them in our own lives.
Robert Crawford, North Lakes
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‘Thanks to Labor the damage done to the country will be catastrophic’
