It is a fact of human nature - that it is easier to put things and people into categories or "boxes", so that we can understand or define them better. It is also a fact that in most individualistic cultures there is a need to own things.

For example - the company chair - placed in my office becomes "my chair", which is seated behind "my desk." And I look out the office window at "my view."

And as we all know, if the company closed down, or I were to be retrenched, these things would end up belonging to someone else.

Who does Australia, or South Africa for that matter, "belong" to? Are they the property of the aboriginal people, or any of the more recent immigrants to those fine lands. Does the land of Oz belong to anyone at all? Or is it the property of God, or the Universe, or Mother Nature - or perhaps the generations to come?

Back to our opening line about that scary need to separate and define people.

This is "ours" and that is "theirs." That is how "they" behave - and "they" are not like "us."

It is in these two simple mindsets of "ownership" & "us" and "them" that the ownership of Sydney beaches turned into gory and internationally infamous race riots.

Apparently a group of youths - allegedly of  Lebanese descent - attacked some local lifesavers. Soon thereafter a militant cell phone technology-rich group of caucasian people organised themselves into a band of marauding thugs. Their main task - to beat up and destroy the property of anybody who looked like "them!"

The interesting thing is that if the newly united band of attackers had viewed all people as humans first, and not as colours, tribes or invaders, then it would be a simple matter of the first criminals, who broke the law, being charged and prosecuted through the legal system.

Now the second, third and fourth bands of criminals must face justice. Not grouped by colour, race or religion. Just as individual thugs and criminals who broke the law. What a waste of human energy! What a waste of newspaper and TV airtime!

Sadly, the issues of ownership, rightness and prejudice came through more strongly than integrity and respect. The damage done to the reputations of Sydney and Australia and their residents, has been huge.

Sure there are challenges when people of differing backgrounds, beliefs, traditions and religions come together. This is to be expected. And perhaps when the beliefs are so far apart, then beaches with different dress codes need to be established, in the greater Sydney area.

Apparently some of the deeper challenges lay in the different views of beach-based nudity and the Islamic perception of naked or half naked women in public.

A media campaign to publicise these varying beliefs should be embarked upon. And perhaps even a Celebrating Humanity style programme should be facilitated with leaders and youth - in the area. The most important issues though, are:

* We do not own anything on this earth.
* Humans cannot be pre-judged by virtue of their appearance.
* Diverse people add to us.
* At the level of respect all humans are equal.
* When we all accept that we are all human beings - belonging to one race - there will be no racism!

Visit www.celebrating-humanityprojects.com and www.africa-dreams.com for more info on the Celebrating Humanity programmes.