This essay aims to argue that an all-inclusive national identity in Australia is able to provide for a largely migratory, hence multicultural society. It will attempt to explain how Australia was able to transition from a predominantly ‘white’ nationalist framework to one in which is multicultural yet upholds Australian values.
National identity as defined by Parekh (2008), indicates both to the personal identification towards a national political community deriving from membership, and to the identity of a political community that distinguishes one nation from the rest (Parekh 2008, p. 56). National identities comprise exclusive compositions of ethnicity, religious beliefs, myths, language, territorial connections and political values (Smith
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Similarly, politicians and intellectuals underscore the importance for a renewed emphasis on common citizenship and shared national identity as a substitute to multiculturalism (Moran 2011). On the contrary, many supporters of multiculturalism are doubtful of national identity, perceiving it as a homogenising force that threatens the diversity of cultures (Hage 1998). However, amidst these diametrically opposing principles of pluralism and national identity, Australia provides a testament that the two ideologies are in fact not entirely mutually exclusive entities. In fact, they can and do …show more content…
Debates on these issues have never ceased ever since the 1980s. For instance, Blainey claimed that multiculturalism would lead to ethnic disputes and ‘warring tribes’ within the nation-state (Blainey 1984, 1991). Furthermore, opposition leader John Howards put an end to bipartisanship in 1988 when he stated that ‘there are profound weaknesses in the policy of multiculturalism’, claiming it as ‘aimless’, ‘divisive’ and ‘ought to be changed’ (quoted in Jupp 2007, pp. 106-7). Then came about more controversies in the 2000s – the deemed ‘failure’ that were publicly advocated by some Howard government ministers as well as the media in integrating some Muslims and recent African immigrants (Costello 2006). Following those incidents, the more current December 2005 Cronulla riots and the perceived need to combat against Islamist terrorism granted support for Howard’s discomfort with multiculturalism as he claimed a strong national identity was necessary to defend Australia (Howard, 2008). This was seen by several as the rejection of multiculturalism and resurgence of white
The 2014 Walkley Award winning documentary, "Cronulla Riots: the day that shocked the nation" reveals to us a whole new side of Aussie culture. No more she’ll be right, no more fair go and sadly no more fair dinkum. The doco proved to all of us (or is it just me?) that the Australian identity isn’t really what we believe it to be. After viewing this documentary
There is a reference to our multiculturalism in the lines ‘All cultures together as one. Yet, individual until the game is won’. These lines acknowledge the fact that even though Australia is an increasingly Multicultural society, all Australians, regardless of their ethnic backgrounds, share the same values, principles and national identity.
stage for the development of Australian cultural identity and the values, attitudes and beliefs of
Maestro by Peter Goldsworthy provides an insight into 1960s/70s Australia and helps reinforce common conceptions about Australian culture. One common conception Goldsworthy reinforces in this text is Australia’s increasing acceptance of multiculturalism. Maestro, set in the 1960s to 1970s, shows Australians growing more accepting and tolerant of other cultures. This shift in perspective was occurring near the end of the White Australia/Assimilation Policy, which was phased out in the late 1970s/early 1980s. An example of this shifted perspective in Maestro is Paul’s father’s opinion about living in Darwin:
The mention of the abolition of multiculturalism for a “new” post-multiculturalist approach becomes difficult to understand. It claims, “to avoid the ‘excesses’ of multiculturalism” (47), however where does this notable governmental and social switch take place? How is the term coined, and how is it understood in theory versus in practice? How is it different from its predecessor? Even the classification of history struggles to define what is considered to be modern, let alone post-modern, and yet the term suggests a positive approach to alleviating difficult assimilation projects similar to those faced elsewhere (47). This notion may developed on the grounds of “someone else’s problems” ¬– in regards to its Canadian context – as a means to label, or justify, miscellaneous aspects of multiculturalism. However, with the government-wide commitment to policies and programs, in conjunction with social understanding, it naturally becomes subject to a wide array of differing opinions. As both immigration and citizenship policies change, its public reception often shifts as well. Especially since the channels referred to within the ‘multiculturalism...
Over the years Australia has had many different problems with racism and racism affecting peoples’ lives. Many racial groups have been affected, most significantly the Aboriginals. The end of world war two in 1945 marked a huge change in types of racism. Australia went from the ‘superior’ white Australians dominating over immigrants and aboriginals. To a relatively multicultural and accepting society that is present today.
The National Multicultural Advisory Council, chair Neville Roach is a firm believer in continued immigration: “Australia is a multicultural society, he said. Our cultural diversity has been a strength and an asset in our development as a nation.”
...at these several events in our nation’s history have demoralised our reputation to other countries globally. To make us known as a better country to other nations, we’ve completely abolished the White Australia Policy, gave back the aborigines their freedoms and we were also the first country in the world to give women rights. Australia today in present day is now one of the most multicultural societies on Earth, and we definitely follow our values of mateship, acceptance and freedom.
Reynolds, H. (2005). Nowhere People: How international race thinking shaped Australia’s identity. Australia: Penguin Group
“Multiculturalism” entered public speech in the late 1960s and early 1970s in Canada that focused on unique cultural diversity, nationalities, and ethnicity across the nation. Multiculturalism and Immigration are important factors in the development of Canada to attain a strong multicultural example of economic stability, social and political growth which leads to the emergence of Canada’s identity and culture.
The history of Australia has been altered through multiculturalism. As Carter explains, “Histories of different ethnic groups – the Chinese, Germans, Scandinavians and so forth – have appeared with increasing regularity in recent decades” (348). Australia no longer has the same relationship to a British heritage (Carter 347). More information uncovers the interracial mixing of Indigenous and Asian, European and non-European, etc. Multiculturalism, furthermore, is allowing Australia to break away from its racist and isolationist history (Carter 348). While this is positive, multiculturalism may be a form of ‘nationalist triumphalism. Ien Ang
Thus, this creates connotations to patriotism and pride towards the country the reader lives in. Coupled with the large image of Australia filled with smaller images of people of all ages, and race, sporting the Australian flag, influences the reader to enter the article with a positive attitude towards Australia Day, as it seems to put this day in high esteem, which consequently convinces the audience, before even commencing to read, that the day is about ‘unity’ and not division. The smaller images of a non-traditional and traditional stereotypical Australian prove that race play no part in this celebratory day, creating the sense of Australia being an accepting
Multiculturalism is a significant fabric of Canadian society that defines its unique identity among the rest of the world. Enactment of the Canadian multicultural policy (1971) affirmed government position and recognition of multiculturalism as a vital element of Canada. It is imperative to understand that multiculturalism is a static concept that keeps changing overtime and has a multidimensional entity. Canadians have always and will continue to revise the concept of multiculturalism to suit the ever expanding needs of Canadian society. In this paper, I will evaluate the reasons behind Canada’s adoption of multicultural policy and assess whether the policy should be maintained or not. I will defend the thesis that Canada’s multiculturalism
multiculturalism hype is not all it is cut out to be and segregates communities rather
Multiculturalism is the ethnic and cultural diversity that exists within a certain area. Different countries display various forms of multiculturalism. The most common form of multiculturalism is whereby a citizen of a certain country is born overseas, or of the parents of the individual is born overseas. English speaking countries have a lot of multiculturalism in them. Just like the United Kingdom, Australia has adopted multiculturalism as a national identity. My essay explores how Australia appreciates and accepts many different ethnicities and cultures.