In a letter published this afternoon in The Sydney Morning Herald, Alpha Cheng responded to the One Nation leader’s assertion on Q&A that attacks carried out by radicalised individuals justify a harsh response against all adherents of the religion.
With all due respect @PaulineHansonOz, what is basis of your islamophobic feelings? Hate, Fear or Ignorance? #QandA https://t.co/BjSjuzVf13
— ABC Q&A (@QandA) July 18, 2016
Replying directly to her comment, Cheng says he doesn’t yet know why his father was killed, but he was awaiting results from “the continued police investigations and from the coronial inquiry.”
We cannot generalise the actions of extreme individuals to encompass that of other successful and law-abiding citizens who happen to be of the same faith.”
He writes “it was not the boy’s faith that has caused his action,” characterising it as “an extreme reaction of alienation or not feeling part of the society or group to which they belong.
What I do know, is that generalisations and fearful attitudes will only increase this and put more Australians at risk.”
After describing his personal and professional relationships with Muslim Australians, Cheng harkens back to a time when he, an Australian of Asian background, faced similar discrimination from the kind of policy the One Nation party espoused.
“I remember being a victim of the hateful and fearful attitudes that the One Nation Party promoted. I remember being told I will be sent back to where I came from because I was Asian and, therefore, not Australian…I do not want the same to happen for the new “scapegoats” in this extreme and simplistic view of society.”
It’s an incredibly contemplative stance from a guy who faced enormous personal tragedy, but it’s not even the first time he’s distanced his circumstances from dictating his worldview.
You can read the full letter right here.
Source: Sydney Morning Herald.
Photo: Insight SBS / YouTube.