Racism is deep-seated, says ex-Governor General Peter Hollingworth
FORMER governor-general Peter Hollingworth has branded Australia Day an excuse for a booze-up, adding we are all racist deep down.
Dr Hollingworth said positives of the day, such as citizenship and a celebration of achievements, were marred.
"This is the day when more drunkenness and violence and that sort of stuff is going on," Dr Hollingworth said.
"It tells me that somehow we haven't got our act together.
"Is this the best day to celebrate? Plainly it's not, in the heat, during the holiday festivities.
"It's not a good time for our indigenous people. They are not happy with it. To them it has all sorts of other negative connotations. I wish we could find another day."
Speaking on MTR's Steve Vizard program yesterday, Dr Hollingworth backed comments last week by prominent surgeon Charlie Teo, who said racism was very much alive in Australia...
http://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/more-news/what-it-means-to-be-australian/story-fn7x8me2-1226254735500