Accepted immigrants or refugees (the first-generation Australians) tend to retain as much of their cultural traditions as possible. This is understandable and to be respected. To avail themselves of the equal opportunity available in Australia, and thereby joining the mainstream population, they will modify their behaviour, and thus their attitudes and values as necessary. The next generation, the second-generation Australians, through the influence of their schools (particularly public or state schools), and subsequently through habituation (eg, through sport, or just mixing socially), will be less traditional and more cosmopolitan.
In my official role as Chief Ethnic Affairs officer in the city of Melbourne in the early 1980s, I observed 3 young Australia-born teenagers whose facial structures suggested 3 diverse geographical areas of ethno-cultural origin in Europe. Yet, they dressed alike and spoke alike. The new Australia was self-evident! This kind of integration may cause some concern to the more conservative parents. The third-generation Australian will be beyond the scope of Grandpa’s injunctions about retaining traditional practices.
What the traditionalists often ignore is that cultural practices ‘back home’ are also evolving; even the language changes. Most importantly, in Australia, one is free to pray as one wishes, to dress and to celebrate one’s cultural festivals as one wishes, and to cook and eat the food that one wishes. What else could one ask of a host nation which provides one with good prospects of a secure material life? How many other immigrant-attracting nations offer anything comparable?
This is why Australia has evolved, within 2 generations, from a racist, religiously-divided nation to a tolerant, cosmopolitan, multi-ethnic but integrated nation. The unavoidable, ignorant, and self-asserting ‘yobbo’ will continue to be the exception. One needs to avoid over-reacting to any oral slurs.
As my father advised me, ‘When someone spits at you, do not retaliate; but do not turn the other cheek.’ His motto in life was reflected in one of his favourite sayings (in English, his second language) ‘The dogs may bark, but the caravan moves on.’ I have been guided by this wise saying, especially in my later years when I became subject to tribal attacks at work. See ‘Musings at Death’s Door’ and part 2 of ‘The Dance of Destiny.’
RAJA ARASA RATNAM 