Chris Flynn writes how multiculturalism is a worn out policy who's time is past . Not once in the article does he define what multiculturalism is. Multiculturalism is the liberty to pursue your own cultural interests. As a policy it is a natural expression of liberty. The alternative is assimilation, which is by definition coercion.

Multiculturalism replaced the assimilationist policies around the world and for good reason. Some of the assimilationist polices were tyrannical and inhumane. Australia's own White Australia policy was a good example, which included in its policies the removal of half-white children from Aboriginal mothers. While that is an extreme example, it shows the lengths to which coercion will be used to assimilate individuals into the dominant culture.

Much has been written about how multiculturalism has failed with the Cronulla riots being the example. But I saw the biggest problems was kids choosing violence to pursue their goals. The Lebanese-Australian kids seem more immersed in the stereotype of American gangsta culture than Lebanese culture.

American gangsta culture is a pop phenomenon, pushed by multi-nationals like Disney to sell more product to willing, and impressionable youths. Australia is a western, consumerist society that allows international companies to run massive marketing campaigns to sell their wares. The highly saleable American gangsta culture wont go away with assimilationist or monoculturalist policies.

Maybe the assimilationists will hope that the Lebanese-Australian kids will give up their gold chains, WRX's and gangsta attitude for the beach and become surfers. But the multi-ethnic faultline was the beach - it is where the waxheads and highway-waxheads clashed. The Lebanese-Australians were at the beach, soaking in the sun, swimming and causing trouble. They are assimilated in that great Australian past-time already.

The Australian Conservatives have beat a constant drum on the dangers of multiculturalism, and how it has failed, is failing, or causing woe. The newspaper op-eds are filled with articles claiming these ills in our society. The Australian Conservatives seem to roll it out as the reason for everything bad in the world.

Yet, Australians are a people who understand and want liberty - not only for themselves, but for others too. ACNeilson's polling on the issue of multiculturalism found over-whelming support for it . Eighty percent support or strongly support the policy.

A common refrain of the Australian Conservative establishment is that the elites and latte-left are out of touch, and are pushing unpopular and unwanted policies on Australians. On the issue of multiculturalism it appears the Australian conservatives are the ones who have misjudged the Australian people. The Conservatives are out of touch and pushing an unpopular and unwanted policy. Are we seeing the rise of a Neo-Latte-Conservative movement?

It appears the Australian Conservatives do not understand the liberty Australian people demand.

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