By: beevo

beevo — Thu, 16 Oct 2008 23:16:38 +0000

There is an underlying fear out in the community that seems to emerge when the word ‘multiculturalism’ is used. The nature of the fear doesn’t seem to be well defined but I am attempting to understand what perceived threat is at the core of it so that we can properly address the problem from both sides. There is a lot of talk about protecting “our Australian way of life” but little to define what that means. Integration should not mean totally giving up your heritage and love of your country of birth but it should mean a commitment to our shared values of freedom and fairness and equality. Ironically these values seem to be somewhat lacking in society. Don’t get me wrong. I would expect immigrants to make an effort to study the language and customs and try to adapt as much as is practical. But we all have the right to speak whatever language we want (manners permitting), eat whatever we want and wear pretty much whatever we want. With the shoe on the other foot, ex-patriot Australians living overseas are often criticised by us at home if they so much as lose their accents! A recent shortage of Vegemite in Hong Kong was reported in the press as a “crisis” and resulted in an influx of unofficial imports being smuggled in with visiting rellies! Walk a mile in my moccasins/flip-flops/jandals/thongs eh? A book worth reading (or seeing the film); “Theyre a Weird Mob” by Nino Cullotta (aka John O’Grady)

Comments on: Georgiou calls for renewed commitment to multiculturalism

By: beevo