I could never completely understand the word ‘multiculturalism’ when
I was in primary school. There was no point in the first decade of my life when
I ever considered that racism existed in the world, with people being ridiculed
and tormented due to their ethnic background. Annually we had a “Harmony Day”
event at my primary school in which classes would construct trees of
hand-prints to reflect multiculturalism. Being the creative child that I was,
however, I looked on it as a day in which I was allowed to put my hand in paint
and stamp it on a piece of paper. I suppose my lack of engagement in this issue
thus far has been due to my being a white male, a privilege that I’ve always
taken for granted and I never considered until I began this course.
Before the takeover of the Rudd Labor Government in 2007, I was a
supporter of the Liberal Party of Australia governed by Prime Minister John
Howard. I was shocked recently, therefore, when I read about his abolishment of
the Department of Multicultural Affairs in his final year of office, a
Department that has since been reintroduced to the Government (Hall, 2012).
Researching further into Howard’s political career I uncovered his views of
multiculturalism and race. His refusal to apologise to the Stolen Generation in
the lead up to the 2007 election was based on his opinion that modern day
Australia can’t accept the responsibility for the mistakes of our past
generations (Davies, 2008). Not only does Howard suggest that in some cases the
Stolen Generation was necessary in terms of protecting the wellbeing and
development of the Aboriginal children under white rule (Davies, 2008), he also
asserts the importance of nationalism in Australia, therefore condemning
diversity and multiculturalism for opposing the “national character” (Das,
2006). He goes on to contradict himself, stating that he was open to the idea
of multiculturalism within Australia provided immigrants and indigenous
Australians integrated (Das, 2006) themselves into the white Australian
culture. While I can understand his premise of all the people of Australia
uniting together under a national culture, I believe that as the former
inhabitants of this land, the Aboriginal people of Australia have a right to
retain their own culture rather than simply be passed off as “another ethnic
group” (Dunn, Kamp, Shaw, Forrest & Paradies, 2010, p.20).
Our cultural identity and family background is something that should
always remain as a core aspect of our lives. Relationships can change, jobs can
change and social classes can change, but we can never deny our roots and
should never be forced to give them up. I hold nothing against Christianity and
similar assimilatory religions except for their determination to convert people
and change their beliefs of the world. Arriving on campus at the beginning of
the year I was welcomed by several Christian students who invited me to discuss
my beliefs with them. Overlooking my usual Agnostic views I attempted to
connect with the Christian religion, however, I found it almost impossible to
link the Bible to my own life as I viewed it more as an old history textbook.
On top of this, my reasoning behind my inability to follow Christianity lies in
my belief that religion is something that is best adopted if your parents are
passionate about it as well, my own parents being Agnostic. Although I find myself unable to conform to a
religion, however, I highly respect people who can and have followed religious
cultural beliefs all their lives.
It is my belief that
cultural identity is one of the most, if not the most important facet in our
lives. Stripping a person of their culture through assimilation would destroy
individuality and the freedom of speech afforded to all Australians in our
democracy. Multiculturalism in schools will enable students to express and
promote their family heritage leading to an egalitarian society.
References:
·
Hall.
A; “Return of Multiculturalism Minister”; ABC
News; Monday, 5 March, 2012; http://www.abc.net.au/pm/content/2012/s3446204.htm.
·
Davies.
A; “Apology was a mistake, says feisty Howard”; The Age; Published March 12, 2008; Cambridge; http://www.theage.com.au/articles/2008/03/11/1205125911264.html.
·
Das. S; “Howard’s way:
multiculturalism is out, assimilation is in”; The Age; Published 27 January, 2006; http://www.theage.com.au/articles/2006/01/26/1138066918369.html.
·
Dunn, K.M., Kamp, A., Shaw,
W.S., Forrest, J. & Paradies, Y. (2010). Indigenous Australians’ Attitudes
Towards Multiculturalism, Cultural Diversity, ‘Race’ and Racism, Journal of
Australian Indigenous Issues, 13(4), p.20.
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