Dumb, Drunk and Racist in Cronulla
"Just sit here and wax your board, the camera crew is behind the surf club, they'll come around the corner in a minute."
"What'll I do when they come around the corner?"
"Just act surprised, as if we've never met. Make it spontaneous..."
And so I sat waxing my board outside North Cronulla Surf Club on a Sunday afternoon in February. And I waxed. And waxed.
The reason I was sitting there was because I'd been invited to be part of an ABC documentary titled Aussie Road Trip. The premise for the show, as explained to me a few weeks earlier, was this: four Indian nationals drive around the country exploring our national character. Australians have a bad name overseas, nowhere worse than India where the Melbourne student bashings caused a national outcry. So the goal was to see Australia through the eyes of the Indians, or so the producers told me.
Cronulla was a must-stop for the Indians considering the suburb has become a byword for racism following the 2005 race riots. I happened to see the riots and wrote about them afterward, hence my invitation to appear. They'd also sought people who took part in the riots yet they hadn't found anyone willing to appear on television and talk about it. Not surprising as it was a dark day in Australia's history.
As I waxed my board I wondered how this would play out. I was told I'd be giving surfing lessons, spare boards and wetsuits were stacked in the back of my car, but that idea was canned just thirty minutes earlier. I now had the daunting proposition of fronting the camera with no props and no script. Humour, I figured, would be the best tactic if this was a straight to camera deal. I'd drop the seriousness and have a laugh. Lighten the mood and show by way of action that all was well in Cronulla.
Forty minutes later I was still sitting on the fence outside North Cronulla Surf Club. My cake of wax long gone, transformed into a thoroughly impressive wax job and I was sweating in the summer sun. Why were they taking so long? One of the producers ran around the corner...
"Sorry Stu, we've been held up. Things haven't quite gone to plan."
"What's happened?"
"We were showing old news footage of the Cronulla riots to the Indians, they'd never seen it before, and one of them has had an emotional reaction. He's in tears, but we're still going to film. The camera crew will be here in a minute."
Tears and an emotional breakdown? So much for girdling myself with levity and laughs. Before I could formulate a new strategy the camera crew rounded the corner with Indians in tow. I acted surprised and offered my hand to shake.
It was obvious which of the Indians had the emotional turn. Amer, the youngest of the four, had red eyes and a crumpled tissue in hand. After a brief introduction the grilling began: Why where there so many Australian flags on the beachfront? What were the riots about? How did they happen? Were Australians racist?
I explained that the situation in 2005 only degenerated after a large group had been drinking in the sun for many hours.
"So the rioters were a bit tipsy then?" asked Amer.
"Yeah...tipsy." Now wasn't the time to explain the finer points of Aussie binge drinking.
"But which side of politics did they belong to? Which party?" enquired Gurmeet, the intense newsreader who'd been quiet till now. It became clear that their idea of a riot differed from the reality in Cronulla.
After all was said and done I wished them well on their Aussie road trip and forgot about them for a while.
Then three weeks ago an employee of the production company rang to say the show would be on television soon and there'd been a small change – the title was now Dumb, Drunk and Racist. This news was followed by a hurried explanation that sounded suspiciously scripted, as if it'd been issued a few times already.
After the conversation I Googled Dumb, Drunk and Racist and found news entries from the 8th February – six days after we met. Apparently the camera crew got into strife in Alice Springs, rocks were hurled and they had to bunker down in a hotel. One report said "...a camera crew working on the ABC documentary Dumb, Drunk and Racist..."
So less than a week after we met the whole project appeared to have been rebadged and everyone informed – media included – and yet I, who'd appeared on camera under particular terms, wasn't told. The more cynical explanation is that the change was premeditated; guests were invited to appear under the 'Aussie Road Trip' premise simply because the title was more palatable.
The question begs: Would I have agreed to appear had I been told the title at the beginning? Probably not. I liked the idea of the tourists starting the trip with a clean slate and allowing them to form their own view of Australians. Yet expressed in the new name are accusations against Australians which we must work backwards to defend. The feeling I get from Dumb, Drunk and Racist – admittedly formed from just one episode – is that it's designed to shock and provoke.
So now I'm the defence lawyer of sorts for Australia's dumb, drunk and racist folk. I haven't seen the episode and I'm nervous about it: Have I been stitched up? We filmed for four hours that Sunday afternoon so my fate rests in the editors' hands. I hope they give me a fair hearing.
Dumb, Drunk and Racist is on ABC2 Wednesday nights at 9:30pm.
Comments
You may be in for a stitch-up, Stu, but the riot was a pretty disgusting episode nonetheless, as I know you've acknowledged previously.
For a humorous piss-take on the event, I recommend reading this:
http://petebowes.com/2011/01/06/only-a-surfer-knows-the-feeling/
Yeah, ol' Pete handled the situation the right way.
Also, it's pretty damn hard to give an explanation of why racism exists when you're shooting the breeze on a Sunday afternoon. Especially when you know they'll go for the 5 sec sound bite. I fear that what they'll end up with is "Ermmm..ahh..yeah, it's not good."
hosted by Joe Hildebrand... The Daily Telegraph's *star* reporter.
say no more.
Funny that not in a ha3 way... The recent Indian young worker and student migrant influx are very sensitive to the racist violent element of Australian society, as this has manifested itself in the form of physical attack... stabbings... murder even.
It makes headlines in the Indian papers and has been primetime TV News storys...
Apparently has made potential Indian students choose other countries to study and live.
Sounds like a good one for Jonathon Holmes from ABC's Media watch program...
Yeah Stu u have been caught in a karmic whirlpool there. Pretty safe bet they're gonna make everyone look as silly as they can. The riots were all about white boys teaching "outsiders" not to bash their own, by um, bashing them. Of course it was also about white boys defending their very own Kurrenulla turf.
Hmmmmmm.
Racism is dumb. It belongs with monkeys & dogs. It's clear you're too smart to buy into that crap Stu, but your gonna have to take this one on the chin. You're a pawn in a bigger battle.
the politics of the time played a big role. Howard had the nation walking on eggs shells cos the brown people were coming to blow us up and eat our children.
Quite unusual to hear someone be "stiched up" or deceived like that Stu. Although I have not been to India, in all my travels I have found them to be such honest and courtious people.
You have definately been ambushed. Absolutley disgusting behaviour from the ABC. Such a shame, we used to be able to rely on the ABC & SBS for their honesty. Perhaps they have been attending the same seminars as "A Current Affair" & Today Tonight.
I agree with you, instead of getting a well balnced point of view from the Indian tourists, its now starting off with absolute disgust of our people and trying to work back from there.
I will not be watching this trash.
Yeah, try to name a country which doesn't have some level of racism. No excuse for poor behaviour, wherever you're from.I've travelled to and worked in a few countries, primarily SE Asia, and each one of them displays racist behaviour towards us outsiders - just like we do. Ask an Asian gentleman/lady what a "gweilo" is. That's their equivilant for "slope head" for us (ie: white devil).
True Rushy. Here I'm a 'gaijin' literally alien. Up here in the country I've had people drag their kids away muttering 'abunai, gaijin da' (danger, he's an alien). Even on a crowded bus it's rare to have someone sit next to me and I'm a handsome devil ha ha. Driving around town people give me the same look as if they've just seen a monkey riding a unicycle. Makes me laugh all the time.
I think it's a bit rich though considering how Indians treat their own. I reckon their caste system leaves a lot to be desired.
I considered Media Watch, Ben, but I still have hope that they'll do a good job. Perhaps naively?
And Fitzy, I would've thought it unusual too - though now I'm not so sure.
And bang on Sid, Howard played his role and the media came a'rushing in. Ironic then, that the media games continue.
ol Pete .. young Stu ..! doesn't matter how you sat it netto, you shoulda been here last century
And have to surf in sluggoes like ol' Bob C in your avatar?
Gimme crowds and riots Pete...
fat pizza done it best ....
'Time for a good old fashioned wog bashing'....
Ha ha Sid- Gold.
The sensationalist press of India are not to be trusted. (I know this was an ABC production but it will no doubt be sold to India and watched by a large audience). An example of the misrepresentation which goes on in India is made clear by way of their early coverage of the Black Saturday tragedy. The Indian press reported that fires had been lit by Jihadists. I know this because my brother was in Delhi at the time and emailed my a scanned copy of a news paper article (in English) asking me what the hell was going on.
You hear a lot of horror stories, but in reality most foreigners who visit this country have a great time and find the people here to be very welcoming and accommodating. Such a shame that it is only ever a noisy minority who are heard.
As for the Indian student in Melbourne who was "set alight" last year. Turns out his story was a fabrication. The truth of it was he was trying to torch his car for the purpose of a dodgy insurance claim.
And one more thing. I would be very interested to hear the statistics relating to the correlation between knife and other weapon offences in relation to the ethnicity/background of offenders. I guess even raising that question makes me a racist though..... Just a question.
That Fat pizza video is supreme. Awesome work.
I hope they don't Stu, but I just had a look at the trailer and I reckon they're going to do a hatchet job on you.
Remember though- United we stand.
Damn those monkeys who ride unicycles to hell!!!
My grandfather gave his life at the Somme trying to make the world safe them.
Actually, sorry, no, he died of a stroke.
Perhaps caused by a monkey riding a unicycle??!
Anyhoo, damn their eyes, those bloody monkeys!!!
The fact that they have included the response, "This poll is dumb" as on option in their "Are Australians Dumb Drunk & Racist?" poll gives me some hope for you Stu.
I've responded to your graceless slur nettle - personally - though with manners enough not to link the post here. You probably don't even like Eric Clapton.
Australia was stitched up by this doco.....yes it was designed to confront and divide....it guarantees our cultural cringe..... i just watched a doco on sbs with Greg chappell as India cricket coach.....he was punched in the head and spat on after an Indian loss...no Indian national was touched after the loss.......and we are made to feel bad.....this works both ways,,,racism is not exclusive....black white blue and purple all protect their own....one day we will see how bloody stupid we all are...chillax and respect
Racism is the wrong term.
Was not the theory behind the National Socialist Workers Party's proven faulty beyond a shadow of doubt several decades ago?
So why is it that people with dodgy agendas keep on using the term racism?
Because using assists in selling all sorts of dodgy products.
The true descriptive word is, bigotry.
So, why is the word Racism used instead of bigotry?... Because that would tend to lessen the flames of those with an agenda. As bigotry is something that people in EVERY culture still roll with.
http://wiki.answers.com/Q/What_is_the_difference_between_a_'bigot'_and_a_'racist'
Knuckles is right... Chiilax and respect.
I could be wrong and please correct me if I am, but "racism" and "racist slurs" and "racist attacks" appear to only happen to non anglo peoples.
Zen's experiences border on it but he just laughs it off.
If anything derogitory is said about others it is labelled "racism" but when the same is directed towards anglo, does that then be branded "racist"??
The real reason for the Cronulla riots ,as disgraceful as they were,was the number of violent attacks on young women in Cronulla and Western Sydney by Eastern background men.The main offence being the gang rape( by upto 60 males )of three young women.One of the women had to have a tampon surgically removed.The dudes that instigated the rapes are still doing time and deserve to rot in there.The cronulla area was a target for the western Eastern men to come and intimidate the local women.In the end the locals had enough and the situation exploded into that ugly Australia Day Riot.Unfortunately the media fail to remember the cause of the riots and we are disgusted about it but my point is, don't forget why it happened.It happened not from racism but because the local community had had enough of there women being sexually abused and intimidated!
Fitz and Knuckles.
I've no doubt that whites/ anglos/ caucasians have racism directed toward them but it should never be used as an excuse or justification for further racism. If I was a happy clapper I'd quote some proverb such as "Do unto others as others would do unto you" but 'cause I'm a heathen I'll just call it a cop out.
The other thing to keep in mind is that racism in any dominant culture becomes institutionalised and indoctrinated. It's used to wield power. It's also invisible to many of the people it serves thus they remain silent yet get vocal when racism is manifested through minorities.
If you think this is at odds with my story above then please note my main grievance is with the methods used to coerce guests. I don't dig the provocative tone of it but I'm not justifying racism of any kind.
The last project the production company made was 'Go back to where you came from' which I thought was excellent as it took the protagonists on an intellectual journey; they were confronted with their prejudices and worked through them. I worry that D,D and R is merely stirring up a hornets nest.
"The real reason for the Cronulla riots ,as disgraceful as they were,was the number of violent attacks on young women in Cronulla and Western Sydney by Eastern background men.The main offence being the gang rape( by upto 60 males )of three young women."
Nah, that's a furphy. There were - and indeed probably still are - many more anglo-on-anglo attacks in the Sutherland Shire than those caused by Middle Eastern folk. Not saying intimidation and harassment didn't occur but it's nowhere near as bad as made out. I lived in Cronulla for 30+ years and the incidents I saw involving Middle Eastern youths could be counted on one hand.
The incidents in Western Sydney were heinous but I don't see how they can be used as justification for Cronulla??
Stu, I think what I was trying to point out is that, you feel you where stitched up and shrug it off as a learning experience. Where as, it is possible, that if it was the other way around, they may have turned it around and claimed you as racist for the same kind of behaviour. It's purely speculation, but an observation nevertheless, and I hope the tone and explination is not taken the wrong way.
I don't want to turn this into a race debate, as we all know what path that leads down.
It's cool Fitz. Just trying to make sense of it without blowing on any embers.
It's always a shame when people fighting the good fight use underhanded or coercive methods to achieve their goals.
Michael Moore anyone?
Sounds stitched up to me mate. i dont trust the general media at all. I would be thinking about looking for a lawyer, especially after you see how they will creatively edit what you have said to make it fit the theme they are trying to portray.
I would have asked to view the segment before agreeing to your comments being used under the name change.
" I would have asked to view the segment before agreeing to your comments being used under the name change."
Yeah, it's kind've a grey area. I signed a waiver immediately after the filming, but of course I thought the title was Aussie Road Trip. When they contacted me three weeks ago I could sense in the ladies voice that if I said no it'd really screw things up. Thing is, she didn't ask me to agree to the name change but just told me it was happening.
anything involving that sewer rat from the Daily Telegraph, Joe Hilderbrand, was gunna turn out suss.
Tell me Stu, was it an ABC production crew, or private indi production crew. ?
ABC commissioned but private production. Cordell Jigsaw.
Hildebrand is off the hook.
I dunno how Hildebrand gets gigs on ABC. ACA and the 2GB/Daily Telegraph/Ch9 circle fuck, sure.
But ABC ???
On Q&A he is a full fuck knuckle.
never talk to the media....to easy to cut and paste the clip as they do... have a look at people on the daily news street footage, not the sharpest tools. I`ve lived in Lakemba and Cronulla through the 90s. Fuckwits in both places..... and worked with fijian born indians for years..... Just ask native Fijians what they think of innocent Indian people
Great work Stu, you did an excellent job of explaining how the majority of Cronulla residents feel about that shitty day. You spoke extremely well, especially for someone who had just been ambushed!
Hey stu. Just saw you on the big screen. Good stuff. I know you don't have as big a following as Alan Jones but hopefully some people will get more of a balanced view.
Mick
http://blogs.wsj.com/indiarealtime/2012/06/26/are-australians-really-dum...
And deep exhalation...
Not a bad result, but once bitten and all that - don't think I'd ever do it again. At least not for something as contentious as D,D & R.
Good showing Stu. A point worth noting is that like a judge who gets put in the witness box it's healthy for the media to experience the other side of the camera. If I read the article above and the comments correctly the episode caused some anguish.
How will that make you feel next time you quote someone?
An unintentional ethics class, eh? True, it wasn't a nice feeling being kept in the dark about their intentions.
So, lemme get this right, you were the sociologist bloke outside of Villawood concerned about the effect Islam is having on Australian cultural life? Correct?
Yeah....the sociologist bloke. Student of Jim Saleam. Look good in a goatee don't I?
Would someone please provide a link to the replay?
Here ya go Roller: http://www.abc.net.au/tv/dumbdrunkracist/episodes/ep02.htm
Interesting episode, Stu, thought you handled it well overall.
But your comments raised a much more contentious and serious issue.
Is Cronulla Point really your favourite wave in the world?
Looks like the debate is about to turn a dark and sinister corner. Much worse than racism: favourite waves!
Yeah, 'kaboo, the Point really is my fave wave. People may say it's just 'cos I grew up there but on any objective assessment I'd put Cronulla Point ahead of even G'land and Sunset. Truly! What you didn't see when they cut away was my hand on my heart and tear on my cheek.
Yep well spoken Stu.. perhaps one day your Statue will grace the Cronulla Foreshore.... Sons of Beaches...
You didn't speak up enough, yelling at him to come hear for a wave, anytime...
So Stu, was that you, the middle aged guy wearing the Surf Pohnpei shirt in the episode last night?
Hahaha... Sorry
Middle Aged.. Perhaps Turned Prematurely Grey from the Stress of Dealing with Blasphemy and his Rottmouth
Don,
Surf Pohnpei shirt - yes.
Middle aged - not quite.
Got your name wrong, called you Stu Nettlefield.
Don't have to reply, just an honesty system...is this your real name?
How telling is this?
Here's the closer on this whole ball of fuckall.
According to ABC2's Facebook page, it seems the full title of this sensational ball of rubbish is, "Dumb Drunk & Racist... are we really?
http://www.facebook.com/ABC2.au/timeline
Which clearly puts this sensational ball of rubbish firmly in the category of Betteridge's Law of Headlines..... Who's maxim is....
"Any headline which ends in a question mark can be answered by the word "no".
"The reason why journalists use that style of headline is that they know the story is probably bollocks, and don’t actually have the sources and facts to back it up, but still want to run it".
Hooyou to you, ABC double douche.
^
I don't get what you mean by sensational ball of rubbish roller, although i'm not a fan of the show, seems to be pretty fair representation of racist attitudes that exist in sydney. I thought stu handled himself well, and accurately expressed the great felling of shame that was felt by many Sydney residents during this time.
So well done stu, and shame on those who hold hatred for other human's.
much love n respect to all
cheers
Interesting maxim there, the-roller. Is it true that Donald Horne's original title for his infamous book was THE LUCKY COUNTRY? (question mark included) and that the question mark was struck off by the publishers for reasons of saleability? This would tie in well with the oft-quoted (from the book):"Australia is a lucky country, run by second-rate people who share its luck." Hmmm, facts, myth or truthiness? (be-google it by the way...reliable source?) Anyways, who the bloody hell are we, really? Dumb, drunk & racist? I'm afraid I must take exception to that particular three word 'slogan'...what about the effects of recreational druggery? Let's not limit ourselves to drink alone (the other two bits of the 'slogan', well...)
niggly,... angry b,
Why then would ABC2 in Oz block this content from everywhere but Australia?
And, if it was not created to be merely a country specific piece of fluffiness, why would it be blocked and censored from the folks on the rest of the globe? Why would access be denied to such a fluffy. Sensational. Ball of rub?
Which also includes blocking it from the the good folks in India.
Might not actually be a conspiracy theory there Roller: as an example, we can't get The Daily Show in Australia any more, due to licensing restrictions.
I suspect it's the same with this - the show's producers are probably selling the series to international TV networks and don't want to jeapordise its marketability but letting it run free reign on the internet.
Roller, I also suffered from the geoblock as I am not in Australia. It is not hard to find the episode floating about online. I won't post a direct link as it might cause legal complications for the proprietors of this site but I think if you take a look around a site called watchseries(dot)eu you will find the episode with out any difficulty.
Swellnet crew, if this is illegal feel free to chop it out. Don't want to get you sued by the ABC or anything.
Away, I'm pretty sure there's nothing illegal about posting links, so fire away if you like. It's the websites that 'host' the content in question that would be pursued (if at all).
Dkcosso, i quote, "The cronulla area was a target for the western Eastern men to come and intimidate the local women."
That's the funniest shizzle i've ever read. I would love a description of what a 'western eastern' person looks like? Or actually where 'western eastern' people come from?
I used to watch plenty of 'southern' men intimidate local women at Northies on a Friday night in the beer garden, but they were white guys so it was okay.
The show is rubbish and i'm disappointed in the ABC, but you did a great job Stu.
Dkcosso, i quote, "The cronulla area was a target for the western Eastern men to come and intimidate the local women."
That's the funniest shizzle i've ever read. I would love a description of what a 'western eastern' person looks like? Or actually where 'western eastern' people come from?
I used to watch plenty of 'southern' men intimidate local women at Northies on a Friday night in the beer garden, but they were white guys so it was okay.
The show is rubbish and i'm disappointed in the ABC, but you did a great job Stu.
International viewers may find links to watch episode 2 streaming below.
http://watchseries.eu/episode/~178353
As the disclaimer says, "Watch-Series does not stream videos or host content of any kind, the videos you watch are hosted and shown from sites such as YouTube, Tudou & Megavideo.Any videos shown on 3rd party websites have passed their own stringent internal vetting procedures and as such are assumed as fully authorized for publication by the content owners."
Speaking of intolerant racists.... Did anyone join in that planned love in down Sydney way?
&feature=channel&list=ULhttp://www.smh.com.au/nsw/police-gas-sydney-protesters-20120915-25yrb.html
yeah, that was me Rolls, I got sJoe to organise the event via Twatter.
a great day of good ol' fashioned YANK bashing was had by all.
but seriously, Sydney is the least of your worries, all those new found friends in Tunisia, Libya, Egypt, Syria, et al are where the real action is at.
spontaneous? don't think so. your black ops boys pulling the strings as always.
now get back to looking surprised and being disturbed. oh the horror.
sid. no surprise here.
according to this author, (and your black op theories aside), these folks, their "leaders", and billable hours boys, all who are putting in the overtime in order to get everyone back to the stone age, know quite well.
White people are pussies.
heh.
http://takimag.com/article/white_people_are_pussies_john_derbyshire/prin...
billable hours boys...
rolls, who's paying ? all roads lead to Langley.
I thought youd be to busy chasing Steve Clark and friends Sid for a ropin' to organize your Lakemba mates to do any Yank bashing... Mooooh!
yeah joe, damn skippy about that, lol.
ya reckon Kieran Foran will get a warm reception when he plays for NZ in townsville Oct 31.?
anyhow, this is pretty close to my last SN post, I'd like to say its been fun but interesting would be a better adjective.
I've been blown away by the surfing hate narrative, the hypocrits and parasites and people who drain and the general Anti Aunties. Its just not me, too much darkside, bit sad really. Besides I've got other fish to fry.
Shame to hear it Sid as I've enjoyed your contributions on here. Swellnet is gonna launch it's new site in a few months and there'll be plenty more editorial input - different topics, different voices. If you wanted to contribute something along the lines of 'surfing share market analysis' (broad term) I'd be very keen to talk. It wouldn't be fixed to a schedule and there'd be no editorial constraints. You could make it what you want.
[email protected]
Well we may see or hear from you again then Sid, If not adios amigo.
I concur with as Stu said above, plus say Sids one of the more rational contributors ...
Give a man a fish and he will eat for a day. Teach a man to fish and he will sit in a boat drinking beer all day.
Cheers gentlemen, one of the other threads really drove home to me who I am and the type of energy I don't want to subject myself too, been there, done that, lived it in real life. Never again.
Here's an article on my good friend and surfing hero, the late, great Ray Kunze, he wasn't the hottest surfer I've ever met, but he was the greatest person I ever met who surfed, both he and I were/are labrador kinda guys, if you know what I mean, you'll dig where I'm coming from. Enjoy...
http://www.surfwriter.net/rays_tribute.htm
sidthefish has left the building.
Onya Sid. All the best.
Stay cool STF.
It's been fun.
Sid. The best to you and yours.
Ah Sid, you'll be back. It remains to be seen whether you post or not, but you'll be back.
sorry to see you need to go sid, you've always said the things i want to say before i get a chance, and in a more articulate/in ya face way...more knowledgable(some predictions to be seen) and a less drunkard way...and fuckin loved ya change o pics...dont normally say much, but funny what drinkin since noon'll do...anyway nice sorto knowin ya
Bit belated Sid, but this ones for you.
Don't despair.
How fucking good were these blokes!
come on Sid. the world as we know it is not about to stop. and this is no time to quit.
clearly it's not you in the linked vid...
but, some Australians... like it hot.
&feature=youtu.be