One of the more unfortunate habits humans have is to put others down to raise ourselves up. Out of fear and ignorance we can insult other people’ experience as though that somehow justifies our own.

Making it worse we can also assert that one situation can account for all the people we presume belong within a given category. Examples of this are found in the politics of gender. “ Men can only think of one thing at a time” is a classically absurd assertion that simply isn’t true. “ Woman aren’t logical” is another prejudiced assertion that fails the test of truth.

Another failure of intelligence along these lines is racism. An example of this might include the statement that “ North American’s are loudmouths”. Maybe you met one that in your humble opinion was overly opinionated. But think logically for a moment and you’ll be aware that this is unlikely to be true of all 200 million of them.

Racism is a horrible historic force in Australia. We immigrants devalued and destroyed the indigenous inhabitants. Then we focused hate upon the Chinese. After WW2 we disliked the Southern Europeans. Then the Asian immigrants appalled us. Now the current focus of racism is the diverse Arabic culture and the religion of Islam.

In lowering ourselves with these types of statements we only succeed in appearing foolish. In listening to these types of utterances without challenging them we tacitly allow these bitter seeds to continue. Then, like the rubbish in the bottom of the bin, they can fester and grow a putrid life of their own that has the potential to infect all around them.

I suggest that the best start in combat this phenomenon is to access information that balances repulsive rhetoric. With information you can answer racism with simple dignified facts.

Regarding the facts of Islam I urge you to attend a free presentation tonight addressing the reality of Islam in Australia and how it connects with our secular democracy. This presentation will be between 7.30 Pm and 9.30Pm at the Manly Community Centre, 12 Wentworth St, Manly.

Martin Hunter Jones is an honorary life member of the Australian Counselling Association. He has a Counselling and Hypnotherapy practice on the Northern Beaches. For appointments, call 9973 4997.