I was surprised to hear reports today that a retail association has called for a ban on hijabs and hoodies. If someone wants to buy product for which there is an age requirement – tobacco and gambling – then I’d ask for ID. If they are out to steal from the business then there are plenty of other ways to disguise their identity. A ban such as that reportedly proposed would not reduce theft from retail businesses.
Mark,
I think the thread was more along the lines of why is it illegal to enter a bank with a helmet on and not illegal to wear a hijab into a bank. The discussion (on Brisbane radio 4BC) was somewhat hijacked by the press and then the Retail Association waded in.
I heard Scott Driscoll being interviewed on ABC News this afternoon and was annoyed by his divisive and ineffective conclusions.
I wasnt aware of where the story began until Brett’s comment above.
Nonetheless, Driscoll’s contribution to the debate is unhelpful and backed up with unsubstantiated “reports from overseas”. I am glad to hear his view is not shared by all in Retail.
Brett,
Your right. The media did hijacked the discussion. At a closer look the disucssion can be seen to touch on much bigger issues.
Just curious. How was it hijacked?
I have read the press release from the association and I don;t agree with the position they put.
mark
Hijabs are fine with me, Hoodies however ….
Not a very good argument. What about teenagers with hair covering their face? Ban them?
They come to live in our country because they did not like there own. So live the way we live, or go back. Its that simple. What would happen to an Aussie girl walking down their streets in a bikini. People love Australia for what it is, and our way of life. Leave it that way.
My brother in law was undergoing treatment for cancer (chemotherapy). He went to the RTA to renew his licence and had to have a photograph taken. He was told to remove his beanie and asked if he could leave it on as he only had a few tufts of hair left. He was told sorry; it’s the law – no hats of any kind so he reluctantly removed his beanie. The gentleman behind him was wearing a turban – guess what, the law didn’t apply to him.
Keith died six weeks later and the last photo of him was taken compliments of the RTA.
All people ask for is an even playing field, is that not the Australian way??
This is NOT or should not be a debate on race, religion or whatever….. Simply the fair application of the law that should apply to all or none. To do otherwise is to fuel the wrong type of debate.
As for the comment about long hair covering the face. Well what about makeup, beards, glasses etc etc. It’s not about that, it’s about the application of the law for all.
What about Sikhs with Turbans on ?
Danny
I see your point and part of me does agree with you, but your comment does kinda lead into the whole debate of why did the white man (when he came here) not take up the indigenous Australian way of life (afterall that was the then established culture of the land, was it not?)
I don’t believe you can just downright expect immigrants to fully adopt the long established ways of Australia. Ofcourse they are going to bring with them a part of what makes them who they are.
Thats the beauty of multiculturalism. The flipside is that we as a nation will be called to deal with uncomfortable issues such as this and its up to us to respond with respect for one another as well as being open to new ideas (and that goes for all parties involved).
We can all only grow from debating such issues in a healthy and constructive manner.
Leon,
I completely agree. This is a debate about the application of the law. It goes much further than the one example that has arisen. It is unfortunate that the media has forced the debate in such a direction.
Leon you said it well. Dave you are right, white man came, changed the name, changed the law, changed the language. The indigenous man followed suit because the white man made him do so. Do we want it all to happen again. If we are expected to respect others, then should they not repect us as well. “When in Rome, do as the Romans do.
My local post office(lpo)was just held up… 3 hoodies involved,bandits brazenly waited in queue,pulled hoodies over heads at counter and jumped counters,3 women terrorized,dont tell me we cant do something to protect these women from such acts!!
Why cant we stop people wearing hoodies entering if we think they are acting strange,i know i will from now on!!