A Kings Cross State of Mind

So, here’s what sickens me about the recent Kings Cross shooting story that has been floating around the news of late: the mentalities of those reacting to the it. You hear about a story of young boys going for a joyride in a car, and then being shot by police, taken OUT of the car and beaten – the consensus? Police reacted to a violent situation in the correct manner and that will teach them a lesson. Really?

A 14-year-old boy lies in hospital today after being un-lawfully and, can I just add, without due reason, beaten senseless by the lawmakers of this country. He was charged by police for his criminal actions and the talk of the town in this lovely ol’ city is: justice is done! “Teach them hooligans in Kings Cross. Something's got to be done ta stop them!"

Maybe I’m jumping to conclusions here, but when I see people as young as 14 doing things that are harmful to others or themselves, my first thought isn’t ‘oh what a horrible person’ – my first thought ‘oh, what a horrible upbringing they must have had.’ People at that age are still trying to find their footing in the world and they act out because that’s what they are taught. Yeah, yeah you might scoff and say teenagers should know better but the reality is that they are in fact still a victim of their conditioning: so is everyone until they learn that there are options out there – adult ones.

I think what people don’t realize when they complain about the dangers of the Kings Cross area is that Kings Cross in itself is a mentality. Kings Cross is one of those parts of the world where survival is being a criminal – that’s just how it works and that’s just what you do. You have to change the area before you change the mentality otherwise like all mentalities they just continue to repeat themselves – in different ways or in the same way. But for Christ’s Sake, don’t take it out on juvenile kids who are merely repeating the washing machine cycle of the Kings Cross mentality adopted by their forebears, especially when they still have the ability to be apart of this change! Here's my message to the Sydney justice system: grow up!

Euro-Australiana

Anyone that lives in Sydney right now would probably notice that there seems to be more Europeans than Australians. I live and work predominantly with Europeans and have now become accustomed to being called ‘Jemma: The Australian.’

I have been informed of a Europe-based financial crisis, but the true impact never really affected me in a big way. However, I have been informed that Australia is truly lucky compared our European brothers and sisters. My French, English and Czech flat mates tell me that they and all other Europeans are here in an attempt to escape the financial crisis.

Australia has become the new golden child or financial promise-land in the aftermath of the GFC and apparently everyone wants a piece. However, I didn’t realize that the conditions were genuinely THAT bad. I have heard horror stories of the competitive job market, high un-employment and the general gloomy weather that adds to the overall depression that has apparently swept the psyche of Europe.

I feel even more lucky to be a part of the a brilliant country like this, and even more frustrated by whiney Australians who think the economic conditions are actually bad right now. Guess what guys? You know nothing of nation-wide financial turmoil!

We don’t give the Rudd government the credit it deserves for getting us through the hard yards. So, lets all appreciate a little more just what we take for granted Sydney-ites! Hopefully, you’ll think twice about complaining about the price of your next lunch.

The New Dirty Word

Those of you who saw the recent comments made by Karl Stefanovik on the Today Show regarding feminism will understand that there is much work to be done in this country when it comes to this philiosophy. Sure it’s all fine and dandy to sit here and say ‘yeah, we’re good now, let’s abandon the idea of feminism,’ but the reality is we’re not ‘all good now.’ The reality is so far from this.

Don’t take my word for it, but there is still considerable amounts of inequality in the workplace. We still don’t have a standard for paid maternity leave, for example. Like Mia Freedman and Lisa Wilkinson so bashfully pointed out: the feminism of the ‘60’s paved the way for what we have today, and we still have a long way to go.

But you want to know my idea of optimal equality?

A journalist and a female in the public eye like Mia Freedman being able to comment on someone else’s personal identification with feminism without being bombarded with ignorance of an almost angrily defensive quality from the opposite gender.

Oh well, I guess ignorance and idiocy will always exist in the public sphere. I will personally never abandon the ‘F’ word, or any feminists before me because they are reason I have the right to voice my opinions as I do now.