Results tagged “Talk topics”

Racism's back in the headlines this week, after two high-profile football identities made race-based comments about indigenous players. First was the NSW State of Origin assistant coach Andrew Johns, sledging a player over the colour of their skin; Apparently he's got a reputation for it; Then in Melbourne on Wednesday, the former AFL coach Mal Brown dropped some appalling quips about Aboriginal players at a charity lunch.

Well it's interesting that just the night before, 5 minutes down the road at Melbourne Town Hall, there was a debate going on over whether Australia is still struggling with its racist past. It was part of the St James Ethics Centre's "Intelligence Squared" series; And we thought it'd be good to hear from speakers on either side of the debate.

First, we spoke to Haneefa Deen. She's an award-winning author, and third-generation Pakistani Australian; She's worked with the Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission, and is former Deputy Commissioner of the Multicultural and Ethnic Affairs Commission of West Australia;

We also caught up with Dr Tanveer Ahmed; He says Australia has moved on from its racist past; and is a very successful multicultural society. Tanveer's a psychiatrist, and a Sydney Morning Herald columnist who often writes on the issue of racism.

Tell us your views.

Is Australia racist?  

How do we compare to other nations?

And are comments about skin colour ok if you're 'just bantering with friends', or is that unacceptable in any context?

Share your stories, experiences, and views.

There's a heated debate going on right now among anti-gun-lobbyists and the paintball-skirmish industry of NSW, About what the age limit for the game should be in that state. In 2006 the legal age for playing paintball in NSW was lowered from 18 to 16, now the paintball industry wants it dropped to 12.
Of course paintball is that mock-military skirmish game, in which teams dress in protective uniforms, and use guns to fire capsules of paint at their opponents. In some cases they're on shooting ranges with obstacles, in other cases they're running around in actual bushland...   I'd like to hear your views on this one.

• Those pushing for the change, say it will bring NSW in line with Western Australia and most of the world - and that there's no evidence of any increased injury rate or social problems where the age limit is 12.
 
• They also say the game is a good healthy physical outdoor activity, far better than violent than video games in which kids of any age are able to sit on the couch, stab their opponents and blow their heads off.

• Do you agree? If you've played paintball or your kids are enthusiasts, I'd love to hear from you.  Do you think 12 would be an OK minimum age?

• Those opposed to the lowering of the age limit, such as the National Coalition for Gun Control, say the guns used are high-powered, and that it propagates a gun culture among young people;

• It's also fair to say that paintball isn't a game for the timid - it's not uncommon to come back from a game with a few significant bruises.

• Do you think mock-gun-games only encourage an unhealthy interest in weapons?

You've heard of tummy tucks, botox, nose-jobs and face-lifts... But have you heard of the hand-lift? It's the latest in cosmetic surgery: Injections in the backs of your hands to hide the signs of ageing. And its popularity among women is being fuelled, no doubt, by an increasing trend among tabloids and gossip-magazines, of mocking female celebrities for their ageing hands. 

Let's hear your thoughts.

• The quest for youth is nothing new. After all makeup has been around for thousands of years; As has hair dye, which millions of people use now to hide their grey... Is cosmetic surgery just an equally acceptable modern equivalent perhaps?

• Have you had some form of cosmetic surgery or enhancement? What motivated you, and how has it changed your life?
 
• Are you glad you did it? Do you have any regrets?

• If you have had some improvements made to your appearance, do you find that it draws your attention more to other areas of your body that don't match up?