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Following the 9/11 attacks, the then Australian Government embarked on an aggressive advertising campaign that asked viewers to be on the lookout for suspicious behaviours or people who may be up to no good. The line that always stuck in my mind was: 'Be alert, but not alarmed' with people urged to report anything seemingly out of the ordinary to the police.

While not outrightly stated, the campaign seemed to target Australians of Middle Eastern background. This certainly was intensified and assisted by the frenzy of mainstream media which seemed to collectively demonise those coming from the Middle East as terrorists.

I found the whole government response and vast sections of the media to be utterly insensitive to the human story of those fleeing what was - and still is - a dangerous place to be. It was as though our leaders and the media had lost their hearts.

While I was completely appalled at the position held by the government and media on this issue, I found myself increasingly aware of a negative and suspicious attitude I felt whenever I saw a Muslim woman walking down the street with a hijab or a man of what I perceived to be of Middle Eastern appearance with a beard, goatee, moustache - or whatever.

Appalled that I was feeling this way towards people based upon prejudicial glances I was giving them - the song 'With A Glance' was written.

lyrics

I watch the telly, read the papers
I listen to the radio
I’ve read some books I think I’m clever
They say ‘Be alert but do not be alarmed’
Would you know

With a glance I think I know you
Oh I put you in a box
A little box
Then look away
I look away
With a glance I think I know you
Oh I put you in a box

Watch for beards and for moustaches
The hijabs’s on the radar too
Years and years of education
Compassion, tolerance are all now swept away
Would you know

With a glance I think I know you
Oh I put you in a box
A little box
Then look away
I look away
With a glance I think I know you
Oh I put you in a box
Then look away
I look away

And now we look towards our leaders
And look at what we have become
We thought they would represent us
And not twist the truth to suit their policies
Would you know

With a glance I think I know you
Oh I put you in a box
A little box
Then look away
I look away
With a glance I think I know you
Oh I put you in a box
Then look away
I look away

credits

from Lines Are Drawn, released May 1, 2010
Matt Reiner: Vocals, Guitars
Matthew Hill: Bass Guitar, Vocals
Anne Romeo: Snare Drum
Damian Jolly: Additional Keyboards, Programming
Tristan Newsome: Additional Electric Guitar

Engineered and mixed by Damian Jolly.
Mastered by Craig Lewis at Mixmasters, Adelaide.

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Matt Reiner and the Aunt Sallys Adelaide, Australia

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