Credit:Illustration: Matt Golding
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MEGHAN MARKLE
Price women of colour pay for speaking out
Julia Baird (Comment, 22/12) is supposedly sympathetic to Meghan, the Duchess of Sussex, because even if she is a “narcissist”, no one deserves the treatment she receives. Nothing seems to upset the white establishment more than a woman of colour speaking up against their experience of racism and shining a light on the misogyny and double standards. Why do so many white women join in the pile-on against Meghan? It is disturbing for them to dissect and judge the lived experience of a woman of colour.
What would they know about racism, trying to navigate living in two worlds as biracial women, not feeling like they belong? They question her interpretation of events despite the evidence, and discuss whether she brought this on herself. The phrase, “I believe her” does not seem to apply to women of colour.
Brown and black women rarely see themselves represented positively in positions of power or leadership. When Meghan Markle married into the royal family, I was hopeful that times were changing. To see her vilified, harassed and subjected to racist behaviour had the effect it was meant for women like her. Be quiet, don’t use your voice and remember your place.
Who supported this narrative? Many white women with a large platform, and a voice, who cannot see beyond their unconscious bias. Where is the integrity in supporting toxic media and the royal family? A family whose wealth and power come from colonisation.
Unfortunately, exposing racism has more negative consequences than the racism itself. I’m glad Meghan spoke up about the racism to which she is subjected, and how dare anyone say she should remain quiet. To do less is to internalise the rage and grief causing even more harm to those subjected to it.
Donna Jansz, Trentham
The horrendous verbal attacks are abhorrent
Thank you, Julia Baird, for your reasoned and balanced approach in refuting the “normalisation of abuse” meted out to Meghan, the Duchess of Sussex. The fact that she has copped so much flack from members of the media, and that the House of Windsor has been silent while the mud has been flung back on her, speaks volumes not about her, but about the institution she and her husband have rejected. Baird is right — one need not like Meghan, or even agree with her, to realise that the horrendous verbal attacks and death threats are abhorrent and shocking, and show exactly the behaviour that led to Meghan and Harry’s reasons for departing the United Kingdom.
Joyce Butcher, Williamstown
The dislike of Meghan has nothing to do with her race
Your correspondent (Letter, 20/12) has jumped onto the popular bandwagon, like many others, about supposed “racism” towards Meghan, the Duchess of Sussex. But have any of them considered that the reason many people dislike her is because she comes across as a spoilt, pushy actor? This, to me, seems a far more plausible reason, rather than the colour of her skin.
John Cross, Richmond
No, not everyone of Clarkson’s age thinks like him
British broadcaster Jeremy Clarkson’s despicable rant towards Meghan, and his claim that all people of his age, as I am, think similarly, does not include me and a number of my ageing friends. A young woman who suggests people read Noam Chomsky is well worth listening to. My one word to Clarkson is shame.
Geoff Cheong, Aspendale Gardens
Is this a case of ‘celebrity drivel just to make a dollar’?
It is true that Meghan, the Duchess of Sussex, should not be subject to the disturbing, ad hominem attacks directed at her by self-entitled serial offenders such as Jeremy Clarkson and Piers Morgan. What is bemusing is what happened to Harry’s original plan. The plan where two birds would be killed with one stone by splitting from the royal family, thereby making himself and Meghan smaller targets for the rancid, tabloid media so that they could lead relatively normal lives. Sadly, for all involved, it comes across as being first-world media and celebrity drivel just to make a dollar.
Paul Miller, Box Hill South
THE FORUM
Vile, shameful comments
There is a certain type of English public schoolboy who never grows beyond the emotional age of 12. Apparently Jeremy Clarkson is now “horrified” at the vile remarks he made about Meghan Markle. Julia Baird is right to call out those who published his puerile rantings.
I do not much care for either of the Sussexes and have now made a point of avoiding commentary by/about them. It is interesting that people who criticise Meghan and Harry for taking money to trash talk The Firm are they themselves doing exactly the same.
Carmel Boyle, Alfredton
Our national treasure
News that Trove, the National Library of Australia’s digital archive, could close in six months (The Age, 22/12) is shocking. It is an invaluable tool for researchers in terms of saving time, travel costs and in generally providing a major boost to research excellence and productivity. It is also used by many ordinary Australians to find which public libraries hold books, newspapers or other items they are seeking.
The current funding of Trove should at least continue until the review of higher education is completed. A major aspect of that review will surely be the implications of the use of digital technology for both research and the delivery and conduct of courses by our universities. There could even be a strong case for having fewer universities and for much less homogeneity in their offerings, with some of the savings from eliminating these overlaps and duplications used to fund the continued improvement of Trove, a true national treasure.
John Carmichael, Hawthorn
Why we must save Trove
It is imperative that additional government funding be approved for the National Library of Australia. Trove is an essential primary source tool for historians, researchers, librarians, students and anyone with a keen interest in family history or in our past in general. It would be a national disgrace if this service were scaled down or withdrawn.
Vikki O’Neill, Ashburton
Such warped priorities
Our health system is under stress, our state schools suffer from inadequate funding, and the homeless seek shelter all about us, yet the Andrews regime spent a record $78.1 million to host Melbourne’s 2022 Grand Prix (The Age, 22/12). Go figure.
Kevin Summers, Bentleigh
A suitable appointment
I cannot see the irony of the scrapping of the Administrative Appeals Tribunal and Kevin Rudd’s appointment as our next ambassador to the US (Letters, 22/12). Surely it comes down to being suitably qualified. And therein lies the difference. The AAT was stacked with political appointments, not all of whom were worthy of their positions, while Rudd, whether you approve or not, could not be described as unqualified. An ambassadorship to watch with interest.
Ann Maginness, Beaumaris
Bipartisan hypocrisy
My dear prime minister, how right you are to rid us of the AAT and its nest of political appointments. By inference, it is also refreshing to know that you will not get involved in such blatant political pork barrelling. Isn’t that right, Kevin Rudd? And Kim Beazley, who has been appointed chairman of the Australian War Memorial Council? Ahh. The monumental hypocrisy is astounding.
Paul Cribb, Mallacoota
No care for the carers
I am beyond disappointed that the federal government has yet again delayed the long overdue pay rise for aged care workers (The Age, 20/12). The majority of this workforce supported Labor at the election, knowing that the Coalition did not care about, or support, them. They expected that the promise made prior to the election would be fulfilled. If the government will not give these workers a fair pay rise, it should slash their tax rate.
After 20 years in the industry, my wife earns a paltry $26 an hour. For this she works hard, with her centre often short staffed, and often dealing with aggressive dementia clients and working with staff who are poorly trained or lazy. There is no incentive to work hard under poor conditions.
If any industry should go on strike, surely it is these staff. But their union is also weak. If Australians truly cared for their elderly family members, they would demand that someone cares for the carers.
James Curtis, Chelsea
Wasteful indulgences
It was with bewilderment that I read about residents of The Boulevard in Ivanhoe bemoaning Banyule City Council for placing restrictions on their “famous Christmas lights display” (The Age, 22/12). These displays are a mindless waste of electricity and resources at a time when we are constantly reminded of the destruction that greenhouse gases cause to our environment. Also our planet, filling with more humans by the minute, only has finite resources left to support those who are yet to come.
And on top of this, the Banyule residents expect local government funding to be wasted on traffic management to support these inane indulgences when it could be used for more urgent priorities.
I was brought up to think that the spirit of Christmas was to spend precious time with loved ones and to be charitable. Not to applaud wastage.
Ken Booth, Bangholme
Our courageous forces
The murdered Queensland police officers are mourned, remembered and honoured (The Age, 22/12). For every family with members in a police force, we are thinking of (and thanking) you as well.
Wendy Knight, Little River
Restrict access to flares
Seeing footage of flares being lit in a crowded Federation Square made me shudder. Even more so when I learned that flares burn at more than 1000 degrees celsius. The one piece of information I cannot find is what limits there are to buying them, other than you need to be 18. It is time that stricter controls, similar to gun controls, are applied. It is only a matter of time before someone suffers serious burns; that person could be an innocent bystander of any age.
Lynn Heath, Doncaster
The bigger violence issue
I am glad the (mainly) male violence at the soccer is getting such persistent coverage in the media. Why isn’t there the same level of reporting and commentary on the high levels of domestic abuse perpetrated by men? Where is the outrage?
Robyn Stonehouse, Camberwell
How will the ban work?
Declaring that soccer clubs are to execute a ban on some fans sounds impressive but, short of the use of facial-recognition technology, I fail to see how this can be effectively implemented. Currently ground staff are incapable of even keeping flares out of grounds or of them being used even though they pose a clear potential danger.
Erica Grebler, Caulfield North
Balancing the equation
The concept of the 15-storey hybrid timber office tower (The Age, 19/12) looks good. We are told that the carbon footprint for the building would have “a 40per cent lower embodied carbon footprint – the greenhouse gas emissions associated with construction – than an equivalent structure of concrete and steel”.
It appears that the calculation is based on comparison of the carbon costs involved in the processing and transportation of the different materials involved. Another factor that should be part of the equation is the loss of ongoing carbon capture from the trees that supply the timber. How does that loss fit into the calculation?
Elizabeth Pearce, Hawthorn
The ever fascinating Banks
Jacob Gamble’s article – “Why Azealia Banks is the toxic lover I can’t leave” (Comment, 21/12) – is refreshing and has a thoughtfulness that is often lacking in mainstream pop culture.
Some people keep coming back to controversial artists because they are able to separate the art from the artist. We still admire Picasso’s artwork in galleries despite ignoring the misogyny towards his models in his paintings. The queer community, of which I am part, is just as complex and contradictory as Azealia Banks. It is these qualities which make her so unique and fascinating as an artist.
Mel Smith, Brighton
Such offensive comments
Jacob Gamble, if Azealia Banks is making transphobic and homophobic comments, then you, particularly as a member of the queer community, stand condemned for supporting her. Shame.
Dean Michael, Mount Macedon
The critical questions
Is it unfair of me to ask why four kids on paddleboards could drift across the bay without being found, land on a restricted area without being noticed, sleep in a building on restricted land without raising any alarms and finally effectively give themselves up to a wandering security guard?
They were not rescued or found; they made themselves known. Are our search rescue, police and defence services, despite all their efforts, operating with some left-over equipment from World War I that cannot see or sense in the dark? Is restricted land only restricted in the daylight and are buildings on restricted lands really just sleep-over huts for visitors?
Rob Gullan, Port Melbourne
Sky’s the limit for Donald
So Donald Trump had a surge in support after Mar-a-Lago in Palm Beach was raided, and may gain more support if he is indicted for alleged crimes committed while in office. Just imagine how popular he would be if he were imprisoned.
Barry Miller, Kyneton
The impossible dream
All that is needed in Ukraine is for the government to be of the people, by the people and for the people. The Russian military will never meet these requirements.
David Baylis, Drouin East
Not bowled over
Years ago, a luminary who was in Australia attended a cricket match. On the fifth day, he asked when the game would start.
Steve Barrett, Glenbrook
AND ANOTHER THING
Credit:Illustration: Matt Golding
Politics
A spinach crisis and the Greens remain silent.
Jim Pilmer, Camberwell
“Refugees to qualify for residency” (20/12) sounds like a happy Christmas story but until there is action, that’s all it is – a story.
Belinda Burke, Hawthorn
VicForests (or forest vandals) could have just left the forests alone and given the loggers the $52 million they lost.
Alan Williams, Port Melbourne
World
Re the Taliban’s ban on women going to university. Totally Arrogant Louts Into Bloodshed Authoritarianism Nastiness.
James Tutt, Anglesea
If Putin sees Ukraine as ″a brotherly nation″, I’d hate to be his brother.
Stan Balbata, Carnegie
Will the US confuse Rudd with KFC’s “The Colonel”?
Richard Opat, Elsternwick
Let’s hope Kevin doesn’t have a dummy spit when Americans’ and Chinese’ eyes glaze over while they listen to his scintillating advice.
Des Files, Brunswick
Furthermore
Andrew Powell (21/12) asks for ’a little salt” with his chips. We Poms also need a good dousing of vinegar.
Jan Newmarch, Oakleigh
One step to eliminate accusations of a “doctored” wicket: do away with the toss and let visiting teams select if they want to bat or bowl.
Gavin Bowman, Northcote
It’s not the pitches. It’s the poor quality batting.
Rod Matthews, Fairfield
It seems profit is the driving force behind many aged care homes (21/12) and ″care″ a mere suggestion.
Annie Wilson, Inverloch
A Gilligan’s Island remake? My first thought on reading about novice “sailors” blown off course to a mystery island.
Steve Pivetta, Mount Waverley
All I want for Christmas is for Tony Wright (22/12) to never retire. His observations and reminiscences are wondrous.
Jane Ross, San Remo
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