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Diary of a B+ Grade Polymath ([personal profile] tcpip) wrote2006-01-01 01:25 pm

Hackers, Violence and Heat

Spent New Year's Eve with the fine crew of 2600 at their private function at RMIT. Fine people, fine conversation and a fine time had by all.

Unfortunately on the way home I was set upon by a group of thugs who decided that I was a "faggot" (is the hair? my short shorts? how do they know?) and such state deserved bodily violence. [livejournal.com profile] caseopaya stepped in to my defense, bless her brave heart, and was unfortunately on the end of a few receiving blows as well.

Some by-standers called for the police and half a dozen turned up within a few minutes to drag the offendors away. We're OK, having a few cuts and bruises. We both have splendid shiners on our right eye and [livejournal.com profile] caseopaya has a nasty cut on her nose. My glasses are lost (I have a spare set) and my Serdar Argic t-shirt is destroyed. :/

Many years ago I remember Melbourne as being a safe and enlightened city, where people prided themselves on their style and looking or being a little unusual was a source for compliments, not attacks.

It's been a tad warm here as well. "The bureau at 10am changed its estimated top temperature forecast to 33 — only to see the mercury bounce back in the afternoon and hit a record for New Year's Eve of 42.9 at 5.14pm. It was still a roasting 42.1 at 7pm."

I had other things to write about as well, but they'll have to wait for another day. Last night's events have a certain proirity.

[identity profile] zey.livejournal.com 2006-01-01 06:42 am (UTC)(link)
[...] who decided that I was a "faggot" (is the hair? my short shorts? how do they know?)

I blame the beret ;-).

Seriously though, that's a pretty sucky way to end your NYE. Your [livejournal.com profile] caseopaya is indeed a brave lass. Glad there were some people about who had the presence of mind to fetch the cops.

Many years ago I remember Melbourne as being a safe and enlightened city, where people prided themselves on their style and looking or being a little unusual was a source for compliments, not attacks.

Alas, it's Howard's Australia now. All that wedge politics results in a wedged, divided and less tolerant community.

[identity profile] tcpip.livejournal.com 2006-01-01 09:29 am (UTC)(link)

Many people blame the beret for all sorts of things ;-)

There is a very real sense that the increasing political and cultural "us and them" attitude over the past ten years means that incidents like this will be increasingly common. I suspect this is not just an Australian trend but a worldwide one.

[identity profile] amarafox.livejournal.com 2006-01-02 02:52 pm (UTC)(link)
It's not so bad in Canada, but we do have gangs of thugs in Vancouver and Toronto, which is troubling.

Two gangs had a frickin' SHOOTOUT on a busy street during boxing day sales. A 15 year old girl was killed.

I have absolutely NO SYMPATHY for people who get involved with gangs. Seriously. And the people who beat you up because they thought you were a 'faggot' are just as low down on the scum scale as someone who goes out and starts a shootout on a busy street because someone called them names.

[identity profile] tcpip.livejournal.com 2006-01-02 08:35 pm (UTC)(link)

They are complete low lifes, no doubt about it.

It is also seems very difficult for a person brought up in such an environment to leave it. In actual fact it's easy: all they have to do is realise that what their friends do is wrong and leave the environment.