We differ from all other animal species in not accepting and failing to nurture all members of our kind for a wide variety of reasons. If we are white skinned we are suspicious of and reject those people with black or yellow skins. Those who come from other countries, or societies, with different backgrounds or beliefs, are regarded as dangerous, perhaps inferior. To a horse, another horse is accepted as such no matter the size or colour. Dogs recognise other dogs and accept each other no matter the breed or age. Why do we need to behave differently?

In Australia, similar attitudes occur as elsewhere in the world. Many of us continue to regard indigenous people as somehow inferior and undeserving of support, despite their ancestors having survived and thrived in this country for as much as 60,000 years. We are suspicious of refugees, especially when they arrive by boat. We are suspicious of people with darker skins, especially when they come from Middle Eastern or African countries. We are suspicious of people who speak in languages other than English and those with different religions.

There is even suspicion within the population of white-skinned Australians – males for females, older citizens for the young, especially those with alternative genders. And there is still a class consciousness, inherited from Britain, which works to deprecate those in lower-paid jobs, and admire those who have ‘made it’ into the salaried professions.

However, despite all our prejudices, beliefs, biases and suspicion, we are all the same species, with similar bodies and brains, and therefore similar physical and mental potentials. We may differ in our personal characteristics, depending on where and when we were born, how we were raised and educated, and whether or not we have suffered personal losses or setbacks. Notwithstanding, we are all members of the human species and therefore all equally deserving of support and respect.