What Thinking Australians Are Thinking..
It is mistaken to gauge society by the behaviour of those who represent the small core of true deplorables we are fated to endure. A better measure is the conduct of institutions.
In the Anzac Day post by Yassmin Abdel-Magied we see an utter lack of respect for the sacrifices of past generations, often involving the ultimate sacrifice, as a result of which we enjoy the best life conditions in history. And yet in this controversy, our national broadcaster finds it impossible to state a clear position. We lack respect for our forebears and we steal from those who will succeed us. In my view, we are becoming a self-centred and selfish generation.
James Miller, Woolloomooloo, NSW
A line should be drawn on the liberties given to activists such as Yassmin Abdel-Magied in the name of multiculturalism. It is only in Judaeo-Christian society that one is free to voice one’s thoughts. And it is only Judaeo-Christian countries that people want to migrate to.
If Abdel-Magied is so concerned about refugees, she should start by asking Saudi Arabia and Qatar — both involved with the rebels in Syria — and question why do they not take in the Muslims leaving Afghanistan, Iraq and Syria. In those countries, she would have no voice.
Cyrus Daruwalla, Blackburn, Vic
If ever there was an example of identity politics and political correctness alive and well and operating within the ABC, exhibit A would have to be Yassmin Abdel Magied. (Australian, Abdel-Magied faces Arab council axe 28/4)
As a person of colour, a woman and a Muslim she obviously ticks all the boxes of diversity and inclusiveness. It’s impossible to imagine, other than these attributes and her narcissistic “look at me” colourful dress, what skill sets she brings to public broadcasting and why the ABC invests so much in someone who offers so little.
Jim Ball, Narrabeen, NSW
The matter of part-time ABC presenter Yassmin Abdel-Magied and the outrage she caused with her views about Anzac Day, is not an argument about free speech, as some people seem to be saying. And it’s not about making a mistake. It’s about a person on the public payroll spouting opinions that are antithetical to and contemptuous of the values of Australia.
Rachel Falk, St Leonards, NSW
Mike Dee (Letters, 28/4) writes that there’s a hint of racism in the disapproval of Yassmin Abdel-Magied’s Anzac Day comments because she is a woman and a Muslim. Criticising a Muslim woman cannot be racism. Islam is not a race. Women are not a race. In my house, we saw neither a woman nor a Muslim making an ignorant comment, we saw someone who should have known better.
Joanna Hackett, Macleay Island, Qld