The Success of Multiculturalism in Australia - Essay Example

Running head: THE SUCCESS OF MULTICULTURALISM IN AUSTRALIA COMPARED TO OTHER PARTS OF THE WORLD The Success of Multiculturalism in Australia Compared to Other Parts of the World You're Name University Abstract Multiculturalism in Australia has been met with a myriad of differing attitudes and opinions. While some of those in the country are accepting of the idea and are at ease with it, others feel it has created strife and a mixture of confusion for the youth and some of the adults as well. This research covers the pros and cons of multiculturalism in Australia and the unique changes that it has brought to the country and the people there. What was previously known as a country with just an Australian Outback is now one that is becoming rich with other cultural view points and ideas, and different ethnicities. How well it has actually implemented in to the society is what this research plans to emphasize. The Success of Multiculturalism in Australia Compared to Other Parts of the World In 2001, one would have that the country of Australia was a very welcoming country towards other ideas and beliefs. After all the National Olympics were held there in that year and during that whole time there was a great air of friendliness towards the large majority of ethnicities that had travelled to Australia from all around the world. One person would not have picked up on any bitterness or resentments towards other races at all. However, now in 2006 it seems those feelings have changed somewhat and there has been tension developing in the country concerning the idea of multiculturalism in its entirety (Suter 2001). Not only is this an issue, but the idea has developed that the country should offer sanctuary to refugee's seeking asylum from other parts of the globe has become a concern as well. There are a lot of Australians that are very up tight about this and aren't as welcoming of the concept as it was anticipated they would be. One such example is in the idea that Australia should provide refuge for Afghanian's wanting entrance to its borders in order to seek protection from violence and terrorism in their own country. The Australian Prime Minister has not been too fond of this thought concept and initially denied permission for one ship to land on a part of the country's territory close to the borders of Indonesia (Suter 2001). Some of the feelings of why Australia is against such an idea are the fact that they have heavy concerns of invasion from other countries. It has been found that the Parliament of Australia itself believes that once they start allowing activities such as this to take place, more and more foreigners will expect the same type of treatment and before anything would even have a chance to be implemented to prevent this from happening, the whole country would be enveloped in a tide of other multicultural people from around the world, many of whom would only be coming there for refuge. Suter (2001) details in his article that the Australians fear of invasion runs deep, and can be traced all the way back to the period of the First World War. Also, they have a fear that the Island of Australia itself will eventually become overcrowded and burdened if there is an extensive amount of foreigners continuously coming in for refugee. These are some of the most logical reasons why there is such negativity by the Austrians towards this concept of wholly allowing for multiculturalism to become a constant part of the Island. What some people around the world aren't aware of are the various policies that encircle the country of Australia. Australia was developed through an idea of imperialism and meant for only white settlers. In fact in 1901 there were many strict policy enactments that prevented any one who was non-white from being able to enter through the Austrian border. Of course times have changed now but there is still a small part of these ideals left within the country and the people of Australia itself. What the Austrian people have to work on is integration. They need to change the many mindsets that are set against multiculturalism so that they youth do not grow up having these similar beliefs. This would require adapting to different educational view points in the school system, and allowing for different religious beliefs in the religious sectors of the country as well (Hewitt 2001). The view points that have existed for years have been changing though since it can be seen that since World War II, many beliefs in Australia have adapted, and at times it has been representative of a country where races can live together in harmony rather than isolated into other parts of the globe. Nevertheless, as has been stated, there is still some resentment to be found against other races in Australia. In a way it does not differ from the many other countries around the world as racism has been found to exist on practically every liveable continent known to man. Even so, it is the political party in Australia that seems to be one of the main reasons that the idea of multiculturalism is being fought against, even though this concept already exists in the country. The point is the Hansen party has some bearing over Australia and does not want this concept to extend any deeper into the country. Pauline Hansen, who is the main head of the far right political party in Australia has always been known to be against the idea of multiculturalism from the get go (Peake 1999). She has vehemently stated in the past and current times that allowing too many Asians and Afghanian's into Australia is taking away from its historical relevance. Not only this, but she claims that the continuation of multiculturalism is increasing the statistical chance for untreatable disease and a possible outbreak of illness that is unfamiliar to Austrian medial facilities and personnel. In fact, in 1997 it was her bearing on the political party that led to a fight against extensive multiculturalism by stating that allowing for "free-trade, preferential welfare policies for Aborigines, and disease ridden Asians", was crippling the economy of the country" (Peake 1999). At the same time, Australian leaders point out that although they do not want an overabundance of immigrants in the country they are more than willing to provide assistance to help foreign lands. They have proven this by extending finances of over 1 billion dollars to various ethnic organizations spread throughout the globe. However, this does not change the fact that the country of Australia is refuting the idea of applicability to allow for a continuous stream of immigrants onto the island. Some would claim that Austrians simply want to preserve the sanctity of the people in Australia, while others view it as an all out condemnation of the idea of multiculturalism period. Again though, there are a percentage of different ethnicities in Australia but the fact is they are not totally accepted by all Austrians. In this regard, the view that multiculturalism should be abandoned in this country seems more applicable than trying to continue to struggle to make it something that should be acceptable. The main problem with the idea of multiculturalism in Australia is the fact that it classifies people and puts them in minority boxes, therein defining that there is a real issue of discrimination in the country regardless of how prominent multiculturalism might be or not (Hewitt 2001). The point is discrimination exists in Australia regardless of the number of immigrants entering into and exiting the country on a regular basis. Those who are of Austrian or British descent, yet are not white are not wholly welcomed either, even though they have just as much right to be in Australia and claim citizenship as much as the next person who was born in the country does. Hewitt (2001) details in her article that the idea of classifying people based on their skin colour and ethnic values plus traditions has become more pronounced in the country of Australia. This is a problem that exists in other parts of the world as well but for the country of Australia it seems to be even more pronounced. Many Austrians automatically assume that because an individual is of a certain race or are known to have specific religious ideas they belong to the whole of a cultural group when this is not entirely the case. There are a number of people that live in Australia that don't wholly agree with every attribute found within one race or the other, so it is felt that placing people in minority groups is unethical and goes against any idea of the possibility of allowing for a true feeling of multiculturalism in the country, period. This can be validated to be true because according to a book compiled by Gregg, Lewins, and White (2003) there are many inequalities still in existence for many people of different ethnic backgrounds within Australia. These many adversities for those with a multicultural background are focused on the social body for starters. They are viewed for their skin colour and ethical traditions rather than for human beings with feelings and attitudes that are adaptable to new environments. The disadvantages are obvious for Aborigines because they have been shown to have very few chances to make a productive life in the country. They are discriminated against for various reasons, many of those have already been stated but out of all of them racial discrimination is the most prominent (Gregg & Lewins & White 2003, pg.106). For Australia to be viewed as a country that can tolerate and come to accept multiculturalism they would need to integrate new beliefs into the society. This would mean keeping an open mind of different religious views, languages, cultural traditions, and having utmost respect for one another in a humane way. There has been some progress in this area as migrant workers have been shown to be able to acquire adequate work to meet their needs for comfortable sustenance. Even so, they are found to be underpaid yet work longer hours, and endure more strenuous work related activities than Native Austrians are faced with. So then, it can still be seen that there is a form of inequality present based on ethnicity and the ethnical background in itself (Gregg & Lewins & White 2003, pg.107). There are so many difficulties that multicultural people face in Australia, and although some areas seem to be marked with improvement, there is still a long way to go to reach equality and understanding in the country. What Austrians are seemingly failing to realize is that due to the past Wars, there is an abundance of multicultural identities already in existence in Australia itself and other parts of the world. Those who don't currently reside in Australia, yet have roots tracing back to the country want to return to their homeland. They should not be faced with discrimination because they are different or from another region of the globe. This leads to the point of how Austrian or British a person really is, because the two actually exist in the country and beyond its borders (Williams 2005). The issue is, being Austrian needs to be understood that it isn't only about ethnicity or religious and traditional backgrounds. It is an idea that is imbedded into the minds of many people that have an Austrian cultural background yet might not be so through and through. Still, this should be no reason that they are found in less important statures than those who are full-blooded Austrians or Brits (Williams 2005). This leads to the fact that unless many Austrians develop an open mind and give other cultures a chance in their country, as well as give them the opportunities to learn the different values and traditions of the Austrian culture, there is always going to be remnants of discrimination on the Island (Hewitt 2001). In conclusion, obviously the development of multiculturalism has a long road to travel to reach a full level of equality among races in the country of Australia. Until those citizens can develop a completely different mindset, and be open to new and different cultures and the changes they bring, there is always going to be adversity for multicultural people in that country. Therefore, it seems to be in the best interest of all involved in the promotion of multiculturalism to step back and see what happens and takes shape within Australia without outside pressures or influences. Let integration happen on its own and hopefully it will find its own niche within the country, eventually anyway. References Greig, Alastair & Lewins, Frank & White, Kevin. (2003). Inequality in Australia. New York City, Cambridge University Press, 18-106. Hewitt, Patricia. (2001). The Quest for a British Identity: Citizenship Tests Yes, but let's first agree on Our Own Values. New Statesman 30, 1. Sutter, Keith. (2001, 11 November). Australia and Asylum Seekers. Contemporary Review 279, 1. Peake, Ross. (1999). Among the Barbarians: The Divide of Australia. Random House Publications, 1. Williams, Tyrst. (2005). How British do you feel and what does Being a Brit Mean The Western Mail 1. Read More