Australia in the Midst of Cultural Globalization

Generally, Australia is known to be a very diverse country in the world. The report
on 2011 census has revealed one in every four Australians is born overseas, which
is 24.6% of the population. [1] In a nutshell, the country is multicultural and each
culture has predominantly found their identity in every community. It is seemingly
true that in this context the world is becoming a smaller place.
The multicultural identity and influence of Westernization have seen the economic,
political and social growth not just locally but also in the international setting.
However, it is not an easy and smooth path to the positive effects of globalization.
The impact of having different cultures can also be a road to divide. But the
advantage of Australia is its dominant Westernized or McDonaldized (or they would
say it as Mackerized/Maccas their term for McDonalds) influence. They are united
to the ideals, values, and philosophies promoted by the West and coincides to the
handling of issues and conflicts of globalization.

How is culture directly related to globalization in Australia?

According to Samuel Huntingtons theory, the greatest division among nations will
be cultural and also note the important statement that he stood by,
Differences in culture and religion create differences over policy issuesReligion
reinforces the revival of ethnic identities. ]2]

There are two significant issues directly integrating culture and globalization, and it
can relate to the differences in culture and religion.
Racism
One of the major issues faced in Australia is the issue of racism. Despite acceptance
as citizens in the communities, there is still prevalence of discrimination. Even the
aborigines (indigenous people) are marred with high levels of racism. Based on the
human rights research reports, the findings were the following:

around 85% of respondents believe that racism is a current issue in Australia

around 20% of respondents had experienced forms of race-hate talk (verbal abuse,
name-calling, racial slurs, offensive gestures etc)

around 11% of respondents identified as having experienced race-based exclusion

from their workplaces and/or social activities

7% of respondents identified as having experienced unfair treatment based on their

race

6% of respondents reported that they had experienced physical attacks based on

their race [3]

This research also found that people born overseas experienced higher rates of
racism than those born in Australia, and were twice as likely to experience racism in
the workplace. [3]
With different customs, practices and even with the mannerism in eating or the way
to dress, there is rampant behavior of racism that will exist and it changes the
identity of the individual in his or her actions.
Islamic Extremisms
The heightened issue of inevitable clash that has closely increased in the recent
years is the fault line between Western and Islamic differences. (Huntington,
1997) The Arab/Muslim order has caused disparity in the post 9/11 era and London
bombings in 2009. The alert levels of Australia had a domino effect in its security.
The extremism of Islam and its influence of anti-Western ideologies have been the
primary target in terms of terrorism prevention. The tension in foreign countries
such as Syria and the rise of ISIS in the global aspect have also increased the
amount of violence and protests of Anti-Islam in Australia.
Below is a video of Australian Muslims in rage of protest and the message to
Australians by Abu Khaled, also known as Neil Prakash, who is an Australian
recruiter for ISIS.
<iframe width="560" height="315"
src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/JTtRaNDPUl0" frameborder="0"
allowfullscreen></iframe>
In an interesting article of Adrian Morgan, an author, editor and radio host of
Security Matters, Australia is becoming a hub of Islamic extremism. [4] The spread
of Islamic radicalism has already changed Europes views of fundamentalism and it
has started to reach the shores of Australia through education and Internet. The
perfect example was the distribution of the DVDs (videos) of an Australian-born
Islamic leader Sheik Feiz Muhammad. His videos were speeches and lectures on
beliefs that promote radicalism.
Hotlink to Feiz Mohammeds statement
http://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/national/sydney-sheik-stirs-the-hatred/storyfndo317g-1226476066456
The copies of the aforementioned videos have been banned and confiscated in
order to control the widespread in the neighboring cities outside Sydney.
Unfortunately, the copies of the videos have already been uploaded online,
particularly Youtube and can be downloaded and viewed in their own private
meetings.
The question is why is this relevant to the security state of Australia? According to
further advice by U.S. terrorism consultant Evan Kohlmann, it has become the
virtual bible that influences the incoming generation of attacking non-believers of
the Islam which condones the Jews, Hindus and Americans. The result of those
who have followed the beliefs in the lectures are the tragedies brought about by

Major Nidal Malika Hasan, who shot dead 13 military personnel at the Fort Hood
army base in Texas in 2009, and Nigerian underwear bomber Umar Farouk
Mutallab to Detroit in 2009. Incidentally, those lectures were based on the writings
of Yousef al-Ayyiri, the founder of Al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula. [4]
What is the government of Australia working on to prevent terrorist
attacks?
Per ASIO (Australia Security Intelligence Organization), Australia remains to be on
top of the target lists of the terror organizations. Its landmarks, Sydney Opera
House and Sydney Harbour Bridge, are the primary spots where attacks can highly
occur, as revealed in their sources. The head of security is already aware of the
risks and possible attacks, so high security alert was placed on all high levels on the
ground and particular to the crowded area. Their anticipation is also attacks on
trains, because if anything goes wrong in the central system, it will shut down the
ground lines of communication.
Image of Australian police
Another security measure being implemented is to stop young Australians from
being radicalized. This imposes a huge threat if a local will directs it attacks since
he/she is familiar with the territory and environment. The last preventive measure is
the agreement of anti-terrorism laws where it has expanded its national security to
both domestic and overseas. [5]
There may not be an intriguing event of war, bombings, or injustice that has
erupted from Australia but the intense influence of the events globally has drawn its
own struggle in cultural divide and religious extremism. With strong belief that
multiculturalism will still bring the nation to unite against the issues of racism and
Islamic extremism, it can be subjected that Australia is in the midst of cultural
globalization and it will be interesting to learn how Aussies will continue to fight the
struggle to promote peace and development.
Image of Clash of civilizations

References:
[1] 2011 Census reveals one in four Australians is born overseas.
Retrieved from: http://abs.gov.au/websitedbs/censushome.nsf/home/CO-59
[2] Huntington, S. P. (1997). The clash of civilizations and the remaking of world
order. New York: Touchstone.
[3] Szoke, Helen. Racism exists in Australia are we doing enough to address it?
Retrieved from: https://www.humanrights.gov.au/news/speeches/racism-existsaustralia-are-we-doing-enough-address-it
[4] Morgan, Adrian. Can Australia escape the clash of civilizations?

Retrieved from http://www.nationalobserver.net/2012/85-1-morgan-australia-clashcivilisations.htm

[5] News.com.au. Experts: Australians more at risk of being hit by a car than
witnessing terrorist attack on home soil.
Retrieved from: http://www.news.com.au/national/experts-australians-more-at-riskof-being-hit-by-a-car-than-witnessing-terrorist-attack-on-home-soil/newsstory/f28f5cee4749041bc8d52aa8b733f943
Video
Australians against Islam

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JTtRaNDPUl0

Anti islam vs protestors

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yezq__rUVsM
indigenous