lishesquex | Australia Day

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.