Australia Day

[lishesquex]

I almost feel bad writing it, because I'm sure not all Queenslanders are this way, but since coming to The Sunshine Coast, I've met more casual racism than in the last twenty years. I haven't felt this unwelcome, self conscious and different since the early 90s growing up as the only Asian kid in Mornington at the height of Pauline Hanson's political career.

On the second day of being here, a man leaned out of a passing car and said "You're not welcome here" before driving off. And I actually haven't felt welcome. I feel stressed when mum talks loudly in Chinese to her friend in public. When picking a spot to park our beach towels, I deliberately try to avoid large bogan groups. During our Australia Day barbecue today, a passing woman gave us a dirty look and shook her head disgustedly. The adults didn't notice; me and mum's friend's son did. I guess the children of immigrants have more finely attuned racism metres.

The other thing that makes me uncomfortable is the overabundance of Australian flags that decorate everything here. From little flags on cars, to beach towels, to shirts, to swimming gear. It never bothered me too much before, but coupled with everything else, it feels like a giant "fuck off".

Sorry, but I don't feel very Australian today at all.

Comments

[reiexnihilo.livejournal.com]

If I were to put in a cheeky joke, it would be:
Gee, lucky they didn't know you were a nerd too.

pebblin:
Aussie redneck is a good enough approximation, even if it doesn't cover the full breadth and depth of boganitude. Mind you, I couldn't say my appreciation of the full volume of the rednecked is top notch, so maybe it does.

The thick skin thing - having generally been part of ethnic majorities I haven't really needed it myself in later years, but it was kind of useful for those years when knowing things (or actually paying attention in class) was enough to be "different".

And besides, if you're like most people (bad choice of words? :p ) you only need a few people to think you're awesome. Right, lish?

[reiexnihilo.livejournal.com]

Meandering a bit more. Australian nationalism is at a bit of a funny stage...

Was talking to my friend at the cricket - she had been packing to move interstate a couple of days following - and she mentioned that she'd come across two Australian flags in her room.

The remark that was bounced around was along the lines of "For someone who's never knifed a member of a minority, it seems a little bit excessive." I guess a kind of shared affirmation that we're pretty keen on the australian cricket team (even if not all the members), pretty friendly to all comers, but a little bemused about what the flag may convey to others. What else it all means, I dunno.

Thinking now about the debate regarding the potential for a new flag. Maybe it would give people the ability to distinguish proud, friendly Australians from the xenophobic variety. I wouldn't be surprised if the old flag was the one that accompanied any Cronulla-esque activity.

PS
"When picking a spot to park our beach towels, I deliberately try to avoid large bogan groups."
...Everyone does that.

[lishesque.livejournal.com]

It's really too bad the flag has been hijacked by idiots. Encountered an apt tweet the other day: "They ought to reschedule Australia Day so that it doesn't clash with Fuckwits Draped In Flags Day."

[delurker.livejournal.com]

PS
"When picking a spot to park our beach towels, I deliberately try to avoid large bogan groups."
...Everyone does that.
haha, trufax!