National Australian identity, what are we?
May 13th 2008 06:57
National Australian identity, what are we?
Australia as the “child of Mother Britain” has a lot on its plate when it comes to define its national identity. It has certainly its roots in the Anglo-Celtic origins but since then many things have evolved and the cultural identities of Aborigines, Torres Strait and Pacific Islanders, Chinese, Thai, Indian, German, French and many more should be taken into account. In regards to Aboriginal heritage we see Aboriginal motifs everywhere, on Qantas planes, tourism ads, T-shirts and teacups. During the Sydney Olympics games aboriginal’s heritage was predominant throughout the whole event and seen as the primary national symbol by people overseas. Yet, it is only since 1967 that aboriginal people were accorded “basic citizenship rights”, prior to this they were not even counted as inhabitants... they are basically the true Australians; they have been there since ever and nowhere else... However, they make up only 2% of the Australian population... and as the rest of Australian people do not necessarily share their mystical connection with the land, Aboriginal symbols are not enough to define Australia.
Together, we are a multitude of different identities defining ourselves in many different ways such as cultural, ethnic, religious, class-oriented or ideological. With so much diversity how can we create our national identity without excluding anyone? What does it mean to be Australian? What can we use to create a national identity that unifies all of us?
Multiculturalism with all its benefits can also inhibit the creation of a clear national identity. However, in saying that, it can also be possible to unite people through multiculturalism. It is not unusual for an ‘Australian’ to have a Vietnamese coffee with a French croissant for breakfast, then go to the Italian village in Leichhardt (Sydney)to see a German film, followed by lunch in Chinatown, and a drink with friends who all live in Australia but none of whom are born here. “I found that while travelling in some countries I actually missed the variety that we have here. It’s almost like because Australia is so far away from everywhere else, we have brought small pieces of the world to Australia”, commented Emilie a Sydney local. And furthermore added: “I think that having that sort of international culture here can help to increase tolerance, and decrease xenophobia, as 'foreigners' are not so foreign to those Australians who live in capital cities as for the rest of the country, many towns still do not have much exposure to other cultures, so may be more typical of the "traditional Australia" and have probably a very different view of 'what is Australia'.”
Our national identity must be a work in progress melting together all differences and focusing on the future. Society and culture interact, serve each other and the notion of national identity can express itself in spite of people not sharing common materials such as religion and ethnics.
In conclusion we can say that “Citizenship is about rights”, it is about all the people of a nation, however how different they are in regards to their ethnic and religious backgrounds, living at the same time, in the same place, feeling at home together and sharing the same beliefs to what it means to be Australian before all, and promoting the value of tolerance, equality and the spirit of national pride.
Australia as the “child of Mother Britain” has a lot on its plate when it comes to define its national identity. It has certainly its roots in the Anglo-Celtic origins but since then many things have evolved and the cultural identities of Aborigines, Torres Strait and Pacific Islanders, Chinese, Thai, Indian, German, French and many more should be taken into account. In regards to Aboriginal heritage we see Aboriginal motifs everywhere, on Qantas planes, tourism ads, T-shirts and teacups. During the Sydney Olympics games aboriginal’s heritage was predominant throughout the whole event and seen as the primary national symbol by people overseas. Yet, it is only since 1967 that aboriginal people were accorded “basic citizenship rights”, prior to this they were not even counted as inhabitants... they are basically the true Australians; they have been there since ever and nowhere else... However, they make up only 2% of the Australian population... and as the rest of Australian people do not necessarily share their mystical connection with the land, Aboriginal symbols are not enough to define Australia.
Multiculturalism with all its benefits can also inhibit the creation of a clear national identity. However, in saying that, it can also be possible to unite people through multiculturalism. It is not unusual for an ‘Australian’ to have a Vietnamese coffee with a French croissant for breakfast, then go to the Italian village in Leichhardt (Sydney)to see a German film, followed by lunch in Chinatown, and a drink with friends who all live in Australia but none of whom are born here. “I found that while travelling in some countries I actually missed the variety that we have here. It’s almost like because Australia is so far away from everywhere else, we have brought small pieces of the world to Australia”, commented Emilie a Sydney local. And furthermore added: “I think that having that sort of international culture here can help to increase tolerance, and decrease xenophobia, as 'foreigners' are not so foreign to those Australians who live in capital cities as for the rest of the country, many towns still do not have much exposure to other cultures, so may be more typical of the "traditional Australia" and have probably a very different view of 'what is Australia'.”
Our national identity must be a work in progress melting together all differences and focusing on the future. Society and culture interact, serve each other and the notion of national identity can express itself in spite of people not sharing common materials such as religion and ethnics.
In conclusion we can say that “Citizenship is about rights”, it is about all the people of a nation, however how different they are in regards to their ethnic and religious backgrounds, living at the same time, in the same place, feeling at home together and sharing the same beliefs to what it means to be Australian before all, and promoting the value of tolerance, equality and the spirit of national pride.
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