OPINION: There is no room in Australia for racism

DISGUSTING, abhorrent, outdated and unAustralian. Those are all words which can sum up my thoughts on people who use racist and bigoted language.

DISGUSTING, abhorrent, outdated and unAustralian.

Those are all words which can sum up my thoughts on people who use racist and bigoted language towards others.  

Whether the goal is to hurt, humiliate or to generate a feeling of superiority, racism of any sort should never be tolerated.

Today's story on page 8 where an Australian-born, Brisbane-based doctor was told "to go back" to where she "came from" is nothing short of disappointing for Hervey Bay and the Fraser Coast.

Dr Furyal Moughal spent time in our community sightseeing and enjoying what the Fraser Coast has to offer.

I have no doubt she would have left here with positive reviews of our beautiful corner of Australia until she encountered a local business owner who allegedly spewed racial vitriol her way.

Racism is unacceptable.

It has no place in 21st century Australia or the Fraser Coast.

The idea that someone may be lesser than you or that they don't belong here because of the pigment of their skin, the clothes they wear or the accent they speak with is so incredibly ignorant.

It's difficult to comprehend how someone could be so petty and small-minded.

Dr Moughal, thank you for coming to our region - I hope you return.

I personally am sorry you had to endure such a horrid experience from a person with a horrid perception of the world.

Please understand, for every hateful and disgusting racist on the Fraser Coast and in Australia, there are hundreds of beautiful and kind people who would gladly welcome you back to our region.   

Originally published as OPINION: There is no room in Australia for racism