Meth: a Ticking Timebomb Gone Viral

The Pendulum Has Swung

Growing up in 70s Australia, I witnessed plenty of racism, but my young mind couldn't grasp the pain that was caused. Jokes about Aboriginals and Asians were common, and I admit that I was as guilty as anyone for not walking a mile in the shoes of those we laughed at.

Once I began to realise the hurt, not just racism, but sexism caused to the community, my attitude changed and I became more tolerant towards minority groups and women. But over the years, the pendulum of 'acceptance' has swung too far and, in my opinion, we now live in a world where the majority have had enough and are pushing back against 'wokeism' in all its forms. This has caused a shift in moderate voter attitudes and has seen the right-wing movement gain traction in almost every country.

Extremism on either side is bound to negate and divide moderate and common-sense attitudes within a population. It has come down to having to choose a side, and instead of compromise, there is conflict, with hate fueling both sides and in some cases, giving rise to people willing to use intimidation and violence to promote their agenda.

These are worrying times. The 2024 election result in the US is a testament to just how pissed people are with the current trend of bending to left-wing extremism. Trump knew this and took full advantage of the fatal flaws within the woke movement and it never being enough.

The pendulum may swing wildly back and forth over the next decade unless, at least in the US, Project 2025 is fully implemented, and in that case, the world may have a brand-new dictator...someone who will stop at nothing to hold onto power.

On a different note...I hate to say this, but my girlfriend is a racist. And it isn't the usual black hates white (or visa versa) hates Asians either. Nada doesn't like people from surrounding countries, who let's face it, are the same race as her. People from Myanmar, according to Nada, come here and breed like rabbits. They take jobs away from Thais (even though they do the lowest-paid jobs that the majority of Thais aren't interested in doing anyway) and are, by and large, dangerous because of the effects of the civil war most of them have been exposed to. Nada thinks Cambodians are all "scammers" and that the Chinese are arrogant and stingy.

Nada is from Roi Et, in the Isaan Province. Those from Laos, on the opposite bank of the Mekong River, aren't much better than those from any of the previously mentioned countries.

The list goes on and even includes Thais who live in the south of the country who are predominantly of the Islamic faith. There have been military clashes between Islamic insurgents and Thai security forces in the past, but these days, most of the 'fighting' is done on social media.

Strangely, my girlfriend would never date a Thai. I used to think this was solely because many Thai women see Farangs as a possible avenue out of poverty. But she says white skin is more attractive than brown skin (which most Thais have), and I find this funny because I prefer her skin colour over mine.

In normal circumstances, I would try and educate Nada on the perils of holding such views, but given our limited ability to communicate our deepest feelings, I will simply accept that some people hold values that differ from my own, and there are times when arguing about these things is a complete waste of time.