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We wear our scars proudly A study by Griffith University has us all outraged and offended - and so we should be. This Queensland university has labelled Cabramatta, Canley Vale and Bonnyrigg as "urban ghettos" and "socio-economic scars". The study ranks suburbs on a General Deprivation Index. It analyses them in terms of the percentage of its population living in public housing, proficiency in English, unemployment levels and the median income of individuals and families. Mayor Nick Lalich was right when he told the Daily Telegraph [sic] that the study is a misuse of words. If ghetto is the term used for people from a different culture that congregate in one area, then so be it - but why does it have to have the negative connotations? And Cr Thang Ngo said the study doesn't track the improvements in Cabramatta over the past 12 years, especially with drugs and crime. He labelled it "diverse, optimistic and tight-knit". He also said the research "stigmatised" Cabramatta. One of the biggest battles we face here in Fairfield city, whether you're the editor of a local newspaper, a politician or a resident, is to destroy the negative stigma that has attached itself to the area. I don't believe those suburbs are the equivalent of America's urban ghettos - I love to walk the streets of these suburbs. Maybe I wouldn't walk them at night by myself but where would you these days? I'm not naive or in denial. I am fully aware unpleasant things tend to happen in this area but this tends to be overridden by its colourful and vibrant personality. This is because it is the landing spot of many people from different countries and cultures. Yes, we're not as wealthy as other suburbs and I agree with Cr Ngo that academic studies would better serve Cabramatta if they suggested positive social policy ideas rather than criticising it through derogatory labels. |