What I See with Peter Fiorenza: The Bondi terrorism attack is a frightening example of a shrinking world

What the hell is going on? Obviously, there has been a lot of water under the bridge since the December 14 terror-related massacre at Bondi. But like many Australians, I am still disturbed by the tragedy that saw innocent individuals lose their lives. From what I understand, police have come to a recent conclusion that the shootings were not part of a bigger picture, such as a wider terrorism plot. It’s believed the father and son shooters acted alone. I’m sure down the track we will be presented with a psycho-analysis of the perpetrators, their mindsets and what drove them to do what they did. For me, Bondi is a clear indication of a shrinking world. Today, troubling issues that seemed to be something that happened in a faraway land are now right on our doorstep. And it is very frightening because we are being continually confronted with the growing rate of the very worst of human nature. Most of us are aware of the Jewish Holocaust during Word War II. The atrocities committed against the Jewish people at the hands of the nazi regime beggars belief. How could one human being treat another human being like that? But if you look back through history, it wasn’t the first example of mass genocide. And, low and behold, it happened again in the 1990s, when war raged in the Balkans (former Yugoslavia), where mate was killing mate. A war between blood brothers is now also occurring in Ukraine, and the dark side of prejudice is currently on show in the Middle East for all the world to see. I’m not saying for one minute I understand the complexities that form the impetus behind these senseless killings. Up until recently I believed I lived in a place that protected me from such horror and negativity — a nation that treated everyone the same. We are a nation of immigrants, and I believe with all my heart that multiculturalism is the right policy. However, if it is to work, we need total buy-in. Each Christmas I listen to Kelly Clarkson singing My Grown Up Christmas List and the words always leave me in tears. “No more lives torn apart That wars would never start and time would heal all hearts and everyone would have a friend and right would always win. This is my grown-up Christmas list.” Let’s work on it. Happy New Year. Peter Fiorenza is a radio host on Radio MAMA and Radio Geraldton. He returns to the airwaves in early February.