The Sydney Train Attack: Where Do We Draw The Line?

By William | Monday, April 30, 2012 | 12 Comments

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8a trian The Sydney Train Attack: Where Do We Draw The Line?

The recent attack on two Asian International students on a Sydney train really made me angry. Based on the students accounts, not only was it not necessary for anyone to step in on the bashing of two people but apparently, one passenger who was targeted even said, “rob them, they are Asian and they have got money.”

Funnily enough, it took a massive media blitz in China, retweets on Weibo, (China’s version of Facebook and Twitter combined) that hit over 10,000 people and Consular officials in Sydney intervening before this really hit the news. Former Foreign Minister Kevin Rudd himself stepped in and amazingly, the New South Wales Opposition Leader John Robertson even used the word “racist” when describing the attacks. Although this time the perpetrators were arrested and charged, there’s a clear lesson here that all Asians, both at home and abroad should learn.

It is not acceptable to lie down and “take it.” Ghandi might have gotten it right with passive action but when faced with elements of people that don’t have any issues with breaking the rules, you just can’t. I even feel that the students should have been more aggressive. You cannot rely on judicial rulings or a legislature to stop attacks. There is the inherent image issue (as so often addressed by 8Asians) that must show that Asians are not a soft target. I believe that it takes the people on the street to understand, the sooner we stop accepting this and fight back, the sooner people will realise that it is not ok to do this. It might never end, but we won’t accept being bullied anymore.

[Flickr photo credit: baltoria]

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m_wei

how’s about something closer to home: nothing mentioned on 8Asians about the USC shooting of Chinese graduate students?
SuperGochu

Oh, well.
http://goonthecheap.blogspot.in/ Stephanie

I followed both of these stories, especially the Sydney one since I’m planning to relocate to Melbourne soon from the US. With the LA case, it wasn’t clear whether that was racially motivated or not, at least the NPR story didn’t say so. The USC area is said to be an unsafe neighborhood. In the Sydney case, a woman who was about to be robbed allegedly said that, but the word “allegedly” made me not sure. Although it is true that while the Chinese students were beaten, the perpetrators were yelling racial slurs. They also robbed other people before robbing the students. It is also true that during the attach there were bystanders and it doesn’t sound like they did much to help, except call the police.

I’ve been following it to see if it will become a trend or if it’s an isolated incident. Back in 2008 or 2009 there were a whole slew of attacks on Indian students in Australia, some resulted in deaths. Anecdotal side note, to this day, when I talk to South Asians about Australia, they will still voice hesitation and reference these events. Since only this incident happened, only time will tell if it will become a trend like what happened 3 or 4 years ago.
http://twitter.com/2000LightYear 2000Lightyears

It isn’t just Asians that should defend themselves. Everybody should defend themselves. Onlookers should have also stepped in regardless of the color of the victims.
WhiskeyJunkie

When will Asians learn that “having” and ”being” the stereotype of a martial artist is actually beneficial. Yes I am Asian. I fully embrace this aspect of my heritage without shame or guilt.
I am proud of being being able to Scrap and Throw Down. Therefore, defending the life of myself, others, and property.

IMO, if you are Asian (especially female), and are involved in various athletics, without ANY martial arts/combatives in your repertoire- you are naive, and have relegated your own independence, safety, and well being to the whim of others who don’t give a damn.

Have’nt some of you learned, or been inspired by ANYTHING from years of John Woo triad, and countless martial art films?

*FACEPALM*
WhiskeyJunkie

Here’s one for you readers and contributors….

What percentage of you have ANY combative education or experience?

Having lurked for some time on this site, and having read a few articles and responses, I’m willing to wager 98% of you fall into the helpless category.

If any of you thought the armed response and defense of Korean shops during the L.A. Riots was too extreme, you are a lost cause.

If you think the shopkeepers were justified and prudent- Congratulations! You are no longer the “sick man of Asia”.
KAMIKAZIPILOT

Sorry but even with the stereotype of knowing martial arts, asians are still viewed as easy targets until they prove otherwise. Most run of the mill martial arts schools are almost useless in a real fight, I know I took over 5 years of various martial arts and it never helped me in a fight. If attacked the number one rule is never fight fair. Think what you will do if ever attacked so you aren’t totally surprised when it happens. Carry pepper spray, kick to the groin or throat, pull hair, kick someone when their down, etc. The most important thing is to be mentally prepared so if the situation arrives you can defend yourself.

I advocate girls or even guys to carry pepper spray if it’s legal in your area, it’s very effective. Also lifting weights to get bigger has many benefits. You’re less likely to be attacked if you are big and strong.
KAMIKAZIPILOT

I’ve taken mediocore martial arts lessons and been in fights before. Does that count? Another thing is how you carry yourself and your appearance. If you’re really skinny bulk up. ALso walk tall and be aware of your surroundings.
KAMIKAZIPILOT

How many times do you hear of asians attacking other races unprovoked? Almost never. Compare that with how many times they are victims in such attacks. I agree with the author that asians need to step up and sometimes need to stop giving a fuk what others think of them. They are too shy and timid many times, even in social situations. I know it’s the culture but until that changes, keep expecting to be viewed as easy targets for criminals and racists.

They can even learn a little from black people. If blacks are confronted with racism they are far more likely to go off, as opposed to asians who are more likely to just sit there and take it.
WhiskeyJunkie

Guess what KAMIKAZIPILOT? You are part of the 2%!

Many Asian Americans utterly fail to realize (some of, not all of) the greatness of this nation.
The Second Amendment is one of these things.

If one is in Australia, Canada, U.K./Europe, or their ancestral countries’, one will find MANY restrictions regarding ownership, carrying, and use of weapons for SELF DEFENSE. This is a liberal nightmare and nanny state. In short, tyrrany.

The basic fundamental right for ANY law abiding individual to protect themselves, others, and their own property is UNQUESTIONABLE!
Anyone that unjustly deprives you of this ability is naive, or is a tyrant.

Case in point:
-If you are Chinese, history shows oppression by the burning of the Shaolin temples. The vast knowledge of melee combat is not for the masses!
Whether by common criminal, or a corrupt local/federal government you will be rendered a VICTIM.

-If you are Japanese, you will find that the Emperor disallowed sword ownership and training to the commoner. Do you have any idea the ‘fun’ bandits and shogunate had with the locals?

There are other examples in history and as well as TODAY in the 21st century.

Jeremy Lin, and other pop culture icons should be revered and aspired to-But…

There should be a ‘balance’ with life saving activities.

-Cheers!
WhiskeyJunkie

And knowing is half the battle! GO JOE!

Asides from being individually prepared, one must also VOTE for politicians that will not take away, but further empower the law abiding citizen to defend themselves and their community.
WhiskeyJunkie

Here’s something to realize….

Born unto this world, according to Lt. Col. Dave Grossman, I’ll paraphrase- There are sheep, sheepdogs, and wolves. Being any one of these is a choice.

So far in my experience, many have chosen to be sheep. It does’nt matter the tradgedy, or all the empirical evidence presented; many will just choose to be and stay as victims.

A better analogy, is prey, protector, and predator. The question for some is which am I?

8 Asians