Attacks on Indian students in Australia have attracted wide media attention. I have been as deeply disturbed by these reports as I am to see the responses which conclude that Australians are racist. I would like to take this opportunity to share my views on this important topic.

I do not believe the attacks were racially motivated. Crimes such as these are committed by cowardly or disturbed people that target people based on their vulnerability, often at random, and usually to steal mobile phones, iPods or other portable valuables. This vulnerability increases when someone is new to a city and working or socialising late at night, as many students do, regardless of gender or race.