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4 years ago Friday, on 11 December 2005, Cronulla rioted. I had 2 cents to contribute and sent my article to some newspapers to be published, but to no avail. So, in light of the anniversary of the riots, I am going to share with you what I wrote in reflection of the events…
December 11 is a date Australia wants to forget.
The Cronulla riots of December 11, 2005 made international headlines and sent shock waves throughout the nation. The riots undoubtedly left a scar on the face of Australia’s international reputation.
Australians nationwide echoed the voice of the media describing the riots as “disgraceful,” “embarrassing” and worst of all “un-Australian.”
But is Australia really an intolerant society? Our great nation is regarded as one of the most multicultural in the world and as diverse as our land, so are the faces of its people. Our sunburned country draws people from all corners of the globe who come and bask in our free and pluralist society.
What was witnessed in the initial hours of the gathering at Cronulla beach last year was a peaceful protest which represented the boiling point of tensions between Cronulla locals and Sydney’s western suburb residents.
As we watched on our TV screens emotions were mixed. Some felt a sense of national pride as we witnessed our young Australians draped in the Aussie flag chant our national anthem and Australian ballads.
Moods changed as images of violence and rage hit our living rooms. It escalated from what was intended as a peaceful protest into an ugly riot.
So what fuelled the violence? Was it turf-warfare? Did it have to do with revenge, religion or racism? Was it the expression of a less tolerant Australia driven by a terrorism-focused media? Can we blame the media build-up or the text message frenzy that called upon locals to reclaim their beach?
What is likely to be agreed upon is the fact that the issues that brought 5000 young people to Cronulla beach that day in November were nothing shy of complex.
So what have we learnt after the riots? What’s important to recognise is the role binge drinking plays in violent and destructive behaviour among Australian youth.
As the schoolies week celebrations have come to a close, Gold Coast residents are reminded of the types of violent and destructive behaviour induced by acute intoxication (drunkenness).
Acting Gold Coast District Superintendent Jim Keogh said that over the 10 day period, there were 128 schoolies arrested and 361 non-schoolies arrested on 529 charges including violent behaviour.
Not drinking in unlicensed public places like the mall, street and beach was a message many did not listen to. This resulted in 636 schoolies and 642 non-schoolies issued with liquor SETONS over the 10 days.
He said the levels of intoxication of Schoolies in some cases were extreme and criticised parents for supplying their children with alcoholic drinks.
The Drug and Alcohol Review reported high alcohol consumption for Schoolies Week in Queensland with 75% of males and 60% of females reporting being drunk either every day or night of the week.
NSW Police Commissioner, Ken Moroney, agreed that alcohol had fuelled Cronulla’s beachside confrontation. “It was a big issue,” Mr Moroney said. The local Area Commander had told him the main troublemakers were well intoxicated by lunchtime.
According to the NSW Bureau of Crime Statistics and Research, 36% of all domestic assaults recorded by police in 2005 were alcohol-related. On the first of January 2005, however, more than half the domestic violence incidents recorded by police were alcohol-related.
The Australian Government’s National Health and Medical Research Council claim that people under 25 years of age have the riskiest drinking patterns. The National Drug Research Institute also report that 23% of 14-17 year olds and 45% of 18-24 year olds are drinking at harmful levels at least once a month.
Whether the violence would have escalated if the vast majority of the protestors at Cronulla beach were not under the influence of alcohol is still a matter of debate.
However, evidence suggests an undeniable link between excessive alcohol consumption and violent behaviour. This leaves us with one final question to ask.
Does Australia have a race problem, or do we have a drinking problem?
Altough, i agree that binge drinking is linked to violence, i don’t think it can be denied that Australia is a racist nation. Australia has long had an identity crisis. Indeed, ‘a race problem’. Cronulla was not just alcohol. It was hatred. It was misunderstanding. It is an ugly underbelly (sadly) very much a part of Australia.
I am reminded of this when i talk to friends of mine with diverse ethnic backgrounds.
Further, as i sat in the hospital with a loved one today and heard him and his neighbour (who happened to be of anglo background) complaining about the asian nurses, who don’t speak ‘our’ language ‘good’ and about the ‘darkies’, who’ve ‘taken over’ Hervey Bay and are ‘causing problems’, i was reminded of the simmering intolerance and ignorance in our society.
Yes Ashlee, I’ve observed the fear that sometimes exists towards the indigenous and foreign-born. But in comparison with other countries, Australia is still a leader in tolerance. For example, try applying for citizenship in Japan, and see how far you get. Not even Koreans who have lived in Japan for five generations are granted citizenship! Yet the Japanese media still criticized Pauline Hanson and portrayed Australia as racist. Or, try taking a sip of water in Kuwait in daylight hours during Ramadan and see how the religious Police treat you. Yet many of these same people label Australian society as intolerant.
Does Australia have a race problem, or do we have a drinking problem?
both.
Dear John,
Sorry for the delayed response. However, I must contend that I was not arguing whether or not other nations are racist or intolerant, but rather, whether or not Australia is. It is not enough to argue that Australia is doing Ok in comparison to other countries. The matter at hand is that Australia has a problem which needs to be solved.Or rather that Australia and Australians have a wound that needs healing. We will find a solution if we look inside ourselves and identify our wrongs. Appeasing our conscience with our relative morality will only exacerbate the issue.
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