It’s never a good sign when you waltz into the kitchen to make a cuppa and you find your husband sitting with his head in his hands.
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My first thought is he has just seen the latest credit card bill! But it was far worse.
A message on social media had made his heart, and now mine, sink.
Having just farewelled 500 interstate and international visitors to Launceston, here for the Tasmanian Open DanceSport Championships, this post put a huge dent in the pride we shared showing off our beautiful city and above all, the lovely people who live here.
Heading out for a meal in the CBD, one of the ballroom dancers competing at this event, was asked by a total stranger what he was looking at.
Despite ignoring this aggressive remark, the stranger came closer, again asking the same question but this time with numerous expletives added.
Finally, as ignoring the man was not working, this visitor simply said he was not looking at him.
This then led to the most disgusting outpouring of anger, where it quickly became apparent the stranger’s issue with this visitor, was the fact that he was of Asian appearance.
The racist words were cruel in every way and left this young man in shock.
This guy is a great person and is an exceptionally talented male dancer.
Together with his beautiful dance partner, they have achieved great success across Australia; respected by their peers, looked up to by younger dancers and loved by crowds wherever they dance.
He was in our city as a visitor. He paid for his accommodation, ate in our cafes, maybe used our taxis or hired a car, maybe he had a drink at the pub after the championship.
He contributed to our economy, he helped to pay the wages of staff across our hospitality industry and his attendance at the DanceSport Championships enhanced the event.
To hear that a member of our community felt it was ok to racially abuse this lovely person has left me disgusted.
If only I could get my hands on this abusive character and explain what a fool he has made of himself and how he has embarrassed the majority of his community who are horrified at this behaviour.
I can only hope that the kindness shown towards this male dancer at the championships will far outweigh this frightening experience.
When will we get it through our brains that we all have the same coloured blood running through our veins? That without each other’s differences, our community becomes bland, our lives become insular?
Each one of us plays a part in standing against racism. Each and every one of us!