Political Crossfire Forums

Ch33kY · Joined: 21 Sep 2005 Posts: 1281

In a scnece from the film Romper Stomper where the skinhead character Hando (Russell Crowe) rejects the Pasta food because it is "wog food" we see the ultimate irony, because the "wogs" - or, ethnic Medeteranian migrants - are so ingrained in Australian society that to even think of Australia you have to have a concept of our populations identity. For example, Melbourne is the city with the third largest Greek population in the world.

Just who exactly is Australian*?

And by the astericks on Australian* we have several categories, in chronological order:

- The inhabitants of terra-australis; the Aboriginies
- white-anglo English early settlers and convicts
- various white-anglo European settlers
- Irish gold diggers
- Chinese gold diggers
- post World War refugees, mostly European
- mid-late 20th centuary influx of Asian migration refugees
- Myself, white-anglo with British ancestory

Many people would consider myself a typical Australian because of my fluency in the English language, my white-anglo looks, and orthadoxy towards the culture, yet I am only second generation Australian whereas for example for Chinese friend whos ancestory can be traced back to the 1880's is still considered Chinese first.

I scoff at the Liberal MP Danna Vale who recently claimed that Abortion "leads to a Muslim nation" because immigration of Muslims will overtake white-anglo Australians* births.

Firstly to suggest someones religion distances themselves from nationality is false. Secondly to consider the white-anglo has exculsive rights to ownership of the land is absurd seeing as we were once refugees ourselves.

I believe we are all refugees. Even the Aboroginies; the culturally displaced ancient inhabitants of this land.

Blinky · Joined: 18 Mar 2006 Posts: 2238

You made some fair enough points. What do you say to the idea of defining 'Australian' according to whether you subscribe to a set of cultural values?

CMB · Posted: Tue Mar 21, 2006 8:45 am Post subject:

The most commong and nationalistic definition of "Australian" would be the Ockers, coming from a mixed heritage of Cockney, IRish and Scottish, but if you are born here and you don't mimic other cultures you are true Australian, bloody oath even if you immigrated here, speak bad english and practise Voodoo, as long as you're willing to work hard and be genuine you are a true australian.

Blinky · Joined: 18 Mar 2006 Posts: 2238

CMB wrote: The most commong and nationalistic definition of "Australian" would be the Ockers, coming from a mixed heritage of Cockney, IRish and Scottish, but if you are born here and you don't mimic other cultures you are true Australian, bloody oath even if you immigrated here, speak bad english and practise Voodoo, as long as you're willing to work hard and be genuine you are a true australian.

I think there is more to defining any national culture than their work ethic. ("Being genuine" is ambigious at best so I'm not going to comment on that) What if youre willing to work hard but you also beleive that homosexuals should be stoned to death? Or that you should be able to kill people in the name of Voodoo? Or that Xmas, ANZAC day or any other established national holiday should be banned because you don't acknowledge it?
Being a true anything (Australian, Indian, American etc etc) is much more . What about a love for your country or a respect for differences in people? What about the concept of a fair go?

Ch33kY · Joined: 21 Sep 2005 Posts: 1281

CMB wrote: but if you are born here and you don't mimic other cultures you are true Australian

I would disagree as Australia has a fairly hybrid cultural identity with so much foreign influence ;)

i.e a Kebab, here in Melbourne is a common thing, yet its a mimic of Mediterranean cultural food.

Politico · Joined: 25 Nov 2006 Posts: 44

Wouldn't the first settlers of Australia be people of darker skin colour? I've heard that during the period of slavery, alot of blacks were located there... How is the population diversity now in Australia (i.e. Whites/Blacks/Indians)?

thundertaker · Posted: Sat Nov 25, 2006 12:59 pm Post subject:

CMB wrote: The most commong and nationalistic definition of "Australian" would be the Ockers

You do realise that 'cockney' only encompasses english people from the east-end of London don't you? I'm pretty sure English influence in Australia is more broadly-based than that.
I definately think west-country is a strong influence too. Considering my dad is from Devon and his favourite "swear" word is 'strewth'.......

Wizard From Oz · Joined: 18 Aug 2006 Posts: 10375 Location: Kansas

Quote: Wouldn't the first settlers of Australia be people of darker skin colour? I've heard that during the period of slavery, alot of blacks were located there... How is the population diversity now in Australia (i.e. Whites/Blacks/Indians)?

No that was a short shameful period in Queenland in the late 19th cent. Local cane growers went to Pacific Islands and dragged locals back to Australia - It was known as Blackbirding. My understanding is the actual numbers was very insignificant in terms of our total population

As far as the mix of population. We just had a census - so some very up to date figures should be out about the middle of next year.

thundertaker · Posted: Sat Nov 25, 2006 4:50 pm Post subject:

[quote="MG1962"] Quote: Wouldn't the first settlers of Australia be people of darker skin colour? I've heard that during the period of slavery, alot of blacks were located there... How is the population diversity now in Australia (i.e. Whites/Blacks/Indians)?

No that was a short shameful period in Queenland in the late 19th cent. Local cane growers went to Pacific Islands and dragged locals back to Australia - It was known as Blackbirding. My understanding is the actual numbers was very insignificant in terms of our total population
/quote]

Surely that was completely and utterly illegal?

Wizard From Oz · Joined: 18 Aug 2006 Posts: 10375 Location: Kansas

What is an Australian?

Can we re-start this thread in a couple of hundred years. Cause right now we dont have a clue

I believe there are some basic, almost mythical aspects to being Australian, but as a cultural thing, we are really still have no idea.

maxtsu · Joined: 03 Mar 2004 Posts: 1854 Location: European Union

giving you an outsiders view...what is Australian?
After working in Sydney I can say that Syndey is a fusion of Europe & Asia resulting in a unique "Australian" blend of culture.

mendosan · Joined: 02 May 2006 Posts: 2580

maxtsu wrote: giving you an outsiders view...what is Australian?
After working in Sydney I can say that Syndey is a fusion of Europe & Asia resulting in a unique "Australian" blend of culture.

Ive only ever met anglo-Australians, including one that could strawpedo a whole bottle of white wine!!!, i will go to Australia at some point so i will see what its like properly then.

Wizard From Oz · Joined: 18 Aug 2006 Posts: 10375 Location: Kansas

Quote: [quote="MG1962"]Wouldn't the first settlers of Australia be people of darker skin colour? I've heard that during the period of slavery, alot of blacks were located there... How is the population diversity now in Australia (i.e. Whites/Blacks/Indians)?

No that was a short shameful period in Queenland in the late 19th cent. Local cane growers went to Pacific Islands and dragged locals back to Australia - It was known as Blackbirding. My understanding is the actual numbers was very insignificant in terms of our total population
/quote]

Surely that was completely and utterly illegal?

It wasn't illegal because they called those affected "Indentured labour"

Besides they argued they were giving these poor people a better life blah blah blah. Just doing a little reading, seems some 62,000 people were effected by the practice.

Fortunately with Federation, the new national govenment put their foot down and said a slave is a slave, no matter what you choose to call him