I am an immigrant who survived ‘Australia Day’.
Today the 26th of February is Invasion Day (Australia Day) here in (obviously) Australia. Aussies celebrate their love for this country. From what I can understand it has gone from being a day of celebration to a just big drunken brawl and an excuse to tell everyone who is not a true blue Aussie to leave if they do not like it here.
I have tried long enough not writing an article like this, but I can not hold it in anymore. Yesterday Marieke Hardy wrote an article I would never dream of be written by an Aussie. If someone in the media can write something like this and still be alive, why can not I do it, I thought. Last night also started of with two Indians attacked (again) here in Australia.
Before I came to Australia I was told Australian were racist. I just laughed and thought it was a typical stereotype joke. If my friend were only wrong in what he said. Do not get me wrong, all my Aussie friends do not act like these “Fuck off we’re full” racists; but I do see it and hear it from other reliable sources.
It also makes me laugh when I read some comments online by Aussies saying that ‘Europe also have racists’. Yes, we do have racists, but being labelled a racist in Europe has a horrible stigma attached to it; so bad that in certain social surroundings you will be an outcast if you are labelled a racist.
I admire people who love their country. A patriot would say: “I love my country and my culture.” Saying: “This is our country, get out!”; is not patriotism, that is pure and simple racism. A patriot will love his country, but also respect other countries and cultures.
I am a white Norwegian. I have enough pigmentation in my skin to get a really nice and dark tan, but let me live in Norway for a year and you will see my true and lovely pasty white skin colour. As a white Norwegian I do not feel very much welcomed, even if my Aussie friends are totally awesome; so I can not imagine how an immigrant with dark skin would feel. At least I blend in when I walk around.
I thought I would never say this, but I have never felt so unwelcomed in a country before.
Judging by the article Marieke Hardy wrote and some of the comments I have read online lately I assume there might be an attitude change. I think Aussies are understanding that a minority is giving Australia a bad reputation abroad and it needs to stop now.
If you are proud of Australia and it’s culture, tell it! Just do not be a douche about it. And stop saying you are the best country in the world. There is no country in this world that is better than the other one. All countries have good things and bad things. Ask a patriot Norwegian, he will say Norway is the best country in the world; same with a Swede, a Briton, a Dutch, an American, a Canadian, a Japanese and on and on and on.
Just so you know. I have not been a burden on your society. I have done nothing illegal and I have not asked for money from Centrelink as my Visa do not allow it; I have actually given a lot of money to your government and business. Hopefully I will get a job so I can start paying taxes. May I add that my English is good too?
And do not worry, we will not be staying here too long. Lizzie is just back in her home country to get her final degree and we are heading back to Europe.
Our Australia Day was wonderful. We spent it with the family, firing up the BBQ and enjoying our company being cheery and sober.
Happy Australia Day! I hope you all had great fun and did not bash anyone for being different.
Take care.
Here’s to the courage you showed in writing this piece. I admire you and want to add my own two cents worth.
Australia Day falls on the same day as the Rum Rebellion. And it involves one of the most notorious figures of authority in all of english-speaking literature: William Bligh.
Yes, Cpt. Bligh of “The Mutiny on the Bounty.”
The one and the same Bligh was commissioned as governor of a section in Australia, and he was overthrown for the one and only time in Australia’s history when the military staged a coup and ruled the country until a more sensible, dare we say, more “sensitive” public servant headed up the government.
Perhaps, what is really needed to celebrate there, is a rebellion against intolerance and disrespect for our fellow man. If Bligh can be overthrown twice in one lifetime, why can’t we overthrow prejudice and racism once a year on the 26th of January.
These are my two cents. You can keep the “change.”
michael j
Conshohocken, PA USA
Thank you for your comment.
Even when I finished this article I sat staring at it, wondering if I should publish it or not. As you can see (obviously), I thought enough is enough. If those who enjoy telling immigrants to go home claim they are only exercising free speech, I can also say that I am using my freedom of speech to say this.
If you look past those very few who do not want immigrants here in Australia, it is a beautiful country. I have seen animals in the wild I have never seen before or only seen in TV. I have started bodyboarding and loving the Aussie beach culture; but still I wish I would feel more welcomed in this country that has so much to offer.