
When will we move beyond the notion of fixed identity
and catch-all phrases like
“Culturally and Linguistically Diverse”?
See beyond the categories
and into the heart and soul of a person.
So why dear State Government
does where I was born matter
for a job application?
Shouldn’t my qualifications and experience speak
to my suitability for a job?
Why does the date I arrived in this country matter,
if I’ve jumped through the hoops
to become a citizen?
Or are there gradients of acceptability
to my citizenship.
Like those old white Australians who will
oh so graciously concede
that 30 years in this country
makes me an Aussie.
Like I need them to define who I am;
and being Australian is some marvellous thing,
some golden inner circle to aspire to.
Which, if you ignore that this country is built on
theft, genocide and ecological devastation,
then perhaps it is.
But back to the tick box and its dilemma
“Culturally and Linguistically Diverse”
Is that me?
My parents are Christian
same as this country’s Prime Minister
Although my parents wouldn’t proudly claim to
have stopped the boats
or justify the ongoing incarceration and torture (intentional or not)
of those seeking a life free from persecution.
How could they,
after all that is why we are here.
So yes perhaps we are culturally different
Growing up in a house that watched cricket and footy
can’t cover up that we eat rice and curry with out hands.
But how about linguistically diverse?
Does three generations of speaking English as a first language
negate this second criteria?
Does my high school French and German make me
linguistically diverse?
Or is it that I remember a childhood where
English was sprinkled with Tamil and Sinhalese
older brother was Annah
pumpkins were watakkas
and wardrobes were almarahs…
Hell, why bother with all this angst
when one look at my name and
those people assessing my application
will put me in a neat little box anyway.
There’s no hiding with a name that’s never failed to
make those ‘true Aussies’ pause and then
haltingly stumble over its many syllables.
So why dear State Government
bother with your page of identity ensnaring boxes
It will never reveal the
gloriously complex being that is me –
or anyone else in this globalised era
and a country founded and grown on immigration.
Wow. That expresses the anger and sadness at the oppression that is so intrinsic to box ticking. Thank you for sharing.