An open letter to the community
In September 2011, I wrote to the Gold Coast Bulletin, to no avail, then The Sun, after being disgusted by anti-Muslim graffiti - example pictured - that had cropped up around town. Alas, it still remains and in some locations keeps getting painted when the council removes previous versions.
Dear Editor,
A rubbish bin along the beachside walkway between the Southport clubbies and the Sheraton bears the scrawl “Destroy evil Islam” while another has been tagged “Muslims out”, as was recently the slippery slide at James Overell Park in Southport.
It is a park well used by Islamic people, particularly woman who gather in the shade to chat and watch their children have fun in the playground or frolic on the beach (The tag was removed within a day by council staff).
I and other people find these tags abhorrent and would like to assure our Muslim residents and visitors that these signs do not reflect the attitude of most of the Gold Coast people.
The Gold Coast is a vibrant, multicultural metropolis with free and friendly mingling of Joe and Judy Blows, wannabes, movie stars, sports people and multimillionaires.
It is a place where people want to live, so much so that thousands move here each year. Just ask the Kiwis: more than 30,000 of them now call the Gold Coast home.
We are not a crime capital, as the often sensational Brisbane reporting portrays our city.
But with 500,000+ people living here, crime will happen, most of it random or among gangs and no amount of police will stop it.
We are much more than that small stretch of Surfers Paradise known as the ‘glitter strip’, that vacuous conclave of clubs where alcohol and drug-fueled violence is commonplace – but mostly contained – and early morning walkers have to dodge half-eaten kebabs and vomit.
Racist tagging – it’s not us!
Yes, we have failed businesses and bankrupt developers but that happens when people are trying to keep a city growing, alive and prosperous.
Yes, we have homeless people, battlers and ne’er-do-wells, those struggling to make their way in the world.
But supporting those folk and community, sporting and recreation organisations we have thousands of volunteers of all ages lending a hand.
Sport – we breed winners, individuals and teams: national and world champions in everything from bowls to surfing, rugby to running.
Culture – we boast artists of all types, authors, poets, choirs, musicians, drama societies, galleries, festivals; we even have our own symphony orchestra!
Up to 50,000 visitors each day flock to our beaches, bush, theme parks, animal sanctuaries and waterways to swim, boat, dive, ski, surf, fish, have fun or just chill out. Like Vegas, some come here just to be married.
The Gold Coast is an eclectic mix of people from all over the world: We are one, and we are many.
On our streets you’ll hear Asian, European, African, Pacific Island and Middle Eastern languages … plus that flattened-vowel version of English spoken in New Zealand!
Their diverse and delicious cuisines come with them, as do their spiritual beliefs.
Opposing the building of schools and spiritual centres of non-Christian faiths – it’s not us.
Gold Coast people are welcoming, helpful and tolerant, except for a few wankers and self-proclaimed religious types who seem to have forgotten the key messages of acceptance, equality and compassion espoused in all the ‘good books’.
We are not the people who tag racist messages in playgrounds, wave signs or yell abuse.
I look forward to seeing not only Muslim families but also people from all cultures using our parks and playgrounds, worshiping at their chosen location and encouraging their friends and relatives to visit us and being welcomed with open arms.
Ian McDougall
Dear Editor,
A rubbish bin along the beachside walkway between the Southport clubbies and the Sheraton bears the scrawl “Destroy evil Islam” while another has been tagged “Muslims out”, as was recently the slippery slide at James Overell Park in Southport.
It is a park well used by Islamic people, particularly woman who gather in the shade to chat and watch their children have fun in the playground or frolic on the beach (The tag was removed within a day by council staff).
I and other people find these tags abhorrent and would like to assure our Muslim residents and visitors that these signs do not reflect the attitude of most of the Gold Coast people.
The Gold Coast is a vibrant, multicultural metropolis with free and friendly mingling of Joe and Judy Blows, wannabes, movie stars, sports people and multimillionaires.
It is a place where people want to live, so much so that thousands move here each year. Just ask the Kiwis: more than 30,000 of them now call the Gold Coast home.
We are not a crime capital, as the often sensational Brisbane reporting portrays our city.
But with 500,000+ people living here, crime will happen, most of it random or among gangs and no amount of police will stop it.
We are much more than that small stretch of Surfers Paradise known as the ‘glitter strip’, that vacuous conclave of clubs where alcohol and drug-fueled violence is commonplace – but mostly contained – and early morning walkers have to dodge half-eaten kebabs and vomit.
Racist tagging – it’s not us!
Yes, we have failed businesses and bankrupt developers but that happens when people are trying to keep a city growing, alive and prosperous.
Yes, we have homeless people, battlers and ne’er-do-wells, those struggling to make their way in the world.
But supporting those folk and community, sporting and recreation organisations we have thousands of volunteers of all ages lending a hand.
Sport – we breed winners, individuals and teams: national and world champions in everything from bowls to surfing, rugby to running.
Culture – we boast artists of all types, authors, poets, choirs, musicians, drama societies, galleries, festivals; we even have our own symphony orchestra!
Up to 50,000 visitors each day flock to our beaches, bush, theme parks, animal sanctuaries and waterways to swim, boat, dive, ski, surf, fish, have fun or just chill out. Like Vegas, some come here just to be married.
The Gold Coast is an eclectic mix of people from all over the world: We are one, and we are many.
On our streets you’ll hear Asian, European, African, Pacific Island and Middle Eastern languages … plus that flattened-vowel version of English spoken in New Zealand!
Their diverse and delicious cuisines come with them, as do their spiritual beliefs.
Opposing the building of schools and spiritual centres of non-Christian faiths – it’s not us.
Gold Coast people are welcoming, helpful and tolerant, except for a few wankers and self-proclaimed religious types who seem to have forgotten the key messages of acceptance, equality and compassion espoused in all the ‘good books’.
We are not the people who tag racist messages in playgrounds, wave signs or yell abuse.
I look forward to seeing not only Muslim families but also people from all cultures using our parks and playgrounds, worshiping at their chosen location and encouraging their friends and relatives to visit us and being welcomed with open arms.
Ian McDougall
