Embracing diversity

Tom addressed the large multicultural group in attendance by viewing the intersection between Indigenous issues and multiculturalism in the contexts of both universal values and concrete everyday work practices; and in reference to social inclusion: “practicing human rights in our day-to-day activities are a way of living, and working, that opens people to a more socially inclusive life.”

Tom acknowledged the MDA Reconciliation strategy as an excellent example of a community development approach that focuses on ways to work with different communities to increase their capacity and ability to find their own authentic and creative solutions to the challenges of being together. “More significantly, the Reconciliation Strategy acknowledges,” Tom said, “the primary status of the first people of this land and their inalienable collective rights”.

Aunty Ruth Link in giving her “Welcome to Country” addressed was warm but direct in her articulation of the need to embrace diversity even when unsavory incidents involving our new arrivals taking on an ugly demeanor. In a succinct manner Aunty Ruth recalled an incident, at a Railway Station in the western suburbs of Brisbane, when she was walking alone and was set upon by a group of Africans who knocked her to the ground and stole her bag.

“But we must continue to smile and be friendly to one another” Aunty Ruth said compassionately, as her way of saying the incident was isolated and we should continue to work together to overcome our perceived differences.

In my hometown of Toowoomba I have recently seen an influx of more than 1,000 Sudanese refugees. It is hard not to notice them walking around the street when public transport is not readily available. Their presence delights me immensely as it adds to the cultural mix of a very conservative, white, rural community. Yet many Indigenous people view them as competition for limited welfare resources.

The Catholic Church works tirelessly to ensure the Sudanese fit contentedly into their new surroundings, although the knowledge of the extra assistance offered by the church (accommodation, transportation, employment etc) to them has given cause for concern among a section of our mob who believe the Sudanese are gaining preferential treatment at Indigenous Australians’ expense.

I know of an incident last month where half a dozen Sudanese men entered the home of an Aboriginal man and violently assaulted him in front of his family. This incident was brought to my attention at a local footy game when I observed a lot of strange Murri faces in town - who I was told were relatives of the man assaulted - to provide extra muscle for protection or to exact revenge.

This incident or many others of a similar outcome around the country involving our new arrivals may well be a result of teenage boys who are bored and filled with testosterone and bravado find themselves in trouble when they attempt to flex their muscle at social events to the dissatisfaction of others - I don’t know. Nor do I know of a reason to validate the home invasion referred to above.

I don’t condone violence of any type and would urge leaders from communities where tension is running high to find common ground where differences can be resolved in ways other than by physical force.

One of the ladies from East Africa who spoke during the Reconciliation Strategy launch said she was delighted to come to Australia although “… on the map it looked like a long way to swim home if I didn’t like it”. She said she knew nothing of the Indigenous population of Australia before she arrived and just assumed it was a white country. It was only on viewing a television program in Victoria when she observed the words “Warning - some images may offend Indigenous viewers”, that she inquired about this group of people living in Australia.

It was only then that this young lady was told repeatedly by ignorant white members of her new community that “… the government gave money to Aborigines to buy alcohol” and it wasn’t until much later that she was told the truth when she had the courage to ask an Aboriginal man at a Brisbane suburban railway station whether this statement had any merit.

Just imagine if we didn’t have cultural diversity: no decent coffee, Indian Thai, Vietnamese, Greek or Lebanese take-away. Our most famous heart transplant surgeons, financiers, clothing designers, inventors, and educators are from non-European countries and have brought great joy to the lives of many.

Australians, including Indigenous Australians, ought to lighten up a bit and be more accepting of cultural diversity within our communities. It is what we expect from mainstream society in regards to our Indigenous culture (respect and valuing of our uniqueness) - and as such - so should we be reciprocal in accepting the aspirations of our new arrivals.