Colours and Light | Created by Alex Wain

AUSTRALIA’S PERCEPTION PROBLEM

I want to preface this blog by saying that I feel extremely privileged and lucky to live in such a uniquely diverse country. I’m surrounded by different cultures, languages and backgrounds, all of which combine to form the rich tapestry of the Australia public.

We have over 140 nationalities represented, making Australia one of the most multi-cultural countries in the world. It highlights that we as a nation in the 21st century are (by and large) an open-minded, respectful and fundamentally accepting society. A nation where few regard ethnic background or varying languages as barriers.

If you took ten photographs, of ten everyday Australian’s in the street – you’d be presented with ten wildly different personas, which collectively form part of Australia society. It’s something to be justly proud of and embraced.

And whilst there are some, who say the wealth of all these different nationalities dilutes Australia’s cultural identity – you have to ask, what really IS this sacred perception that the select few, fear Australia will loose?

Well I can give you a little insight. I moved to Australia in 2000 from the UK. Prior to my arrival, my impression amounted to the following:

Steve Irwin & Crocodile Dundee typified your average Joe in the street, kangaroo’s were jokingly reffered to as a mode of transport, koala’s were present hanging from traffic lights on every street corner, everyone lived in either Ramsey Street or Summer’s Bay, that every 2nd person who walks past you is Aboriginal, that fashion was encapsulated in stubbies, thongs and a pair of Oakley’s and finally that the national cuisine revolves entirely around “throwing another shrimp on the Barbie” a can of Fosters and a meat pie!!!

Shockingly misguided yes, but there are certainly worse stereotypes to be saddled with. But does Australia deserve to have such a hokey and uninformed stereotype? Why would anyone wish to embrace, perpetuate or contribute to the notion that the ‘Land Downunder’ is the back waters of the world? We deserve so much more. Australia deserves so much more.

Every country is lumbered with a stereotype, Britain with the bowler hat and cucumber sandwiches, Spain and the bullfighting Matador, Germany with bearded men in Lederhosen, France with their berets, stripy shirts and garlic necklaces. And whilst I enjoy Steve Irwin, Crocodile Dundee movies, prawns on the BBQ and the occasional episode of Neighbours – surely we can find better examples, which highlight, reflect and more accurately define us a nation? The need for such definition is more vital than ever, our generation, have a real opportunity to make a difference.

Why can’t we be regarded as the leader on climate change? Or the country noted for our innovation? Or the beacon in progressive thinking for social issues and international affairs? Why should we merely cater to the self-imposed whims of tourists and their burning desire for Crocodile hunters and Macadamia nuts?

Australia hasn’t always been a model of tolerance and just a deeper exploration uncovers a few chilling facts. Its recent history is darkened by the actions and racial tension that ignited during the Cronulla riots. An event watched and frowned upon by the world, that left a sour taste in the mouths of all those who love this country.

In your grandparent’s lifetime, the ‘White Australia’ policy was enforced, a time when civil rights, compassion and decency were disregarded as ignorance and racism were firmly embraced. Here’s an actual quote from Prime Minster Stanley Bruce during his 1925 election campaign speech.

“It is necessary that we should determine what are the ideals towards which every Australian would desire to strive. I think those ideals might well be stated as being to secure our national safety, and to ensure the maintenance of our White Australia Policy to continue as an integral portion of the British Empire. We intend to keep this country white and not allow its peoples to be faced with the problems that at present are practically insoluble in many parts of the world”

In a country only 100 years old, there are still poisonous attitudes which need changing and more work and education to be done. And yet this superiority complex hasn’t been merely restricted to ‘white’ Australia’s – minorities discriminate too.

I understand no country is perfect and my views are that of a general nature, but in our attempt to be accommodating, tourist-friendly and perhaps to quickly cover up our past indiscretions – has Australia become too politically correct?

Have we shifted from the abhorrent and aggressive “White Australia Only” mentality to the polar opposite of “Come One, Come All”? Are we to accepting of those, who have no intention on embracing Australian values? Are we leaving the gate unchecked and our expectations dangerously low? At times, it seems to me, that we forgot to stop somewhere in the middle ground.

I was both stunned and sadden by the story my grandfather told me. Being a huge fan of Oriental cuisine (who isn’t right!) he was in an Asian Supermarket buying ingredients, which he couldn’t get at his local Woollies. He went to the counter and was charged $2 more for the item, than the price originally displayed on the shelf.

“Excuse me, hello. Aren’t these $4? They say $4 on the shelf, not $6?”
“Oh $4 price on shelf for Asian’s only.”

My grandfather had a right to feel outraged at such blatant and appalling discrimination in his own country.

But is sadly doesn’t end there. I went to a club in the city, lined up in the cold, finally get to the front door only to be told “Your type can’t come in here”. I ask him what he meant by “My type” and he pointed to a sign on the wall which read “Asian Only Dance Party”.

Can you imagine the public outcry, if I put on a “Whites Only” event?

In this day and age, it defies logic and it’s a truly sickening feeling being discriminated against, I wouldn’t wish it on anyone.

But nobody points out the hypocrisy there, for fear of being un-PC. I’m sure there’s a minority of white Australian’s who are equally guilty of these quiet and individual forms of racism – but the frustrating aspect, is that none of it is needed or warranted from either side, minority or majority.

If you are living and enjoying the limitless perks of a democratic and peaceful Australia, if you wish to run a successful business – why on earth would you wish to create a divide by charging a group more because of their ethnicity? Why start a business and limit your customer base by ONLY having your signs, menu or prices in a foreign language? Why not offer both? Double the custom. Why did white’s in Cronulla deem it necessary to beat upon anyone who wasn’t caucasian with sticks, baseball bats and broken glass?

Why internationally harm another human being, an innocent stranger purely because they look different? Why is the average bearded man of Middle Eastern descent with a suitcase at the airport, the subject of constant stares and murmurs of “he looks like he could be a terrorist?”.

Has the media REALLY been able to manipulate us to that extent?

It’s all so illogical, uninformed and unfounded. We as a nation should be better than that; we collectively need to rise above it.

Universally people are wary of the unknown, I understand that we’re all susceptible to that feeling. But Australians need to be open and receptive to change, not fearful of it – it’s inevitable. If minorities could be less introverted, less divisive and more inclusive, if we could all come together to understand and respect the subtle difference in each others cultures – then the world wouldn’t just stereotype us as ‘that place famous for Kenny The Plumber and all those Anzac Cookies’, but TRULY, as the greatest country in the world.

Your Friend,
Alex