Harmony Day is a day for celebrating the many different cultures and backgrounds that make Australia so wonderfully colourful and diverse. Despite its touchy-feely name, (which has provided a source of amusement for some of my friends), it’s a great concept.
This year’s theme – “Everyone belongs” – is about every Australian being welcome and included in our community, regardless of where they come from. It’s about celebrating the things that make us unique as well as things we have in common.
Penny Wong
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Australia is one of the most multicultural nations in the world. And, for the most part, we love to celebrate our diversity.
Imagine Australia without St Patrick’s Day, Chinese New Year or Glendi. Imagine no spaghetti, fried rice, souvlaki, croissants or sushi. Imagine no Magda Szubanski, no Guy Sebastian, no Lee Lin Chin, no George Calombaris, no Dorinda Hafner or no Waleed Aly.
And, of course, it’s impossible to imagine Australia without our rich Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander heritage and the many outstanding Indigenous people who have played leadership roles in public service, health, education, sport and the arts.
But, let’s be honest, we need Harmony Day because we don’t always enjoy harmony in our communities. We need a theme like “everyone belongs” because so many Australians don’t feel like they belong. We need to tackle racism and divisiveness because it is alive and well in modern Australia.
Racism continues to be experienced by the traditional owners of this land, as well as migrants, international students, asylum seekers and refugees, who have often endured the most to forge a new life in our lucky country.
It’s disappointing that, while enthusiastically promoting Harmony Day, some of our political leaders continue to employ divisive language and pursue policies that discriminate against particular groups of people and directly jeopardise harmony within our communities.
The only group of people who truly had the right to decide who came to this country and the circumstances in which they came were the traditional owners of this land. Yet, they were given no choice. Indeed, many of them continue to feel marginalised by a society that has been established around them.
The other more than 97 per cent of us fall into the category of “those who’ve come across the seas”.
Getting back to Harmony Day, Wikipedia makes the interesting point that musical harmony is most pleasing to the ear “when there is a balance between the ‘tense’ and ‘relaxed’ moments.”
Perhaps that is how we need to think about cultural harmony too. Accommodating new cultures into our community is not always easy. Building trust and understanding takes time and, in the meantime, tension and suspicion are more commonplace.
Almost all cultural communities that now play an integral role in Australian life have endured isolation and unflattering or downright offensive name-calling in the early years following their arrival in this nation.
There’s no point glossing over this. It is human nature to resist change and multiculturalism is hard work. But this does not mean that every new group of people to come to this country should endure the unacceptable racism experienced by previous immigrants.
We need to learn the lessons of history. Despite some challenges along the way, it is clear that wave after wave of new migrants have ultimately contributed to making Australia a richer, better place to live.
In other words, we’ve worked through the “tense moments” and pressed on towards the resolution – just like a heart-stirring piece of music. Perhaps the harmony is all the more rich because of the tense moments and dissonant chords?
Embracing diversity requires us to overcome our own fears and prejudice. It therefore requires courage. So, “with courage let us all combine” to make this great nation of ours, not only fair, but vibrant, respectful and inclusive.
Happy Harmony Day, Australia. In joyful strains, then let us sing…
Jo Pride is the Victorian Convenor of Welcome to Australia.
How will you be celebrating Harmony Day? What’s your favourite example of multiculturalism in Australia?
Comments
29 Comments so far
I like this post, but am saddened when I am reminded of wonderful Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander representatives as portrayed in the image slideshow, like Deborah Mailman, Cathy Freeman, Christine Anu – it reminds me of the discrimination against Aboriginal people in our society, despite the fact of them being the first Australians and worthy of all our respect.
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We celebrated Harmony Day at school! All the kids dressed in their traditional clothing and we wrote all about it. I teach at an Islamic College and we have over 900 students from many countries and cultures. Huge at our school!
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I love all my friends who are all the colours of the rainbow. The vast majority of us have all at some stage, after all, “come across the seas”. (I do not wish this to come across as “I’m not racist, but…” however I suspect some may interpret it as such.) But having grown up in a city with a large indigenous population, I do think that there are many problems involving ‘harmony’ that go both ways. I understand the history and the hurt that has been – and is being – caused. But racism is not exclusively a ‘white’ phenomenon. It would be nice for Harmony Day to focus on promoting harmony both ways, although that never seems to happen.
A lot of you who are not of a caucasian background have mentioned being called names based on your heritage and I am truly sorry for the offence this has caused. But I can assure you that there are highly offensive names for those of us who happen to have relatives from the UK. I understand that, as a white person in this country, I am in the majority and that this has its own benefits for me – but this doesn’t change the fact that people of all colours and all heritages, including from this country, can be ignorant and rude, something that seems to be rarely addressed in well-intentioned events such as Harmony Day.
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There is much more to racism/racial inequality than name calling.
Read up on white privilege.
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“I understand that, as a white person in this country, I am in the majority and that this has its own benefits for me…”
I believe that I alluded to white privilege.
“…but this doesn’t change the fact that people of all colours and all heritages, including from this country, can be ignorant and rude.”
This too can extend far beyond name calling. I simply used it as an example that has been (unfortunately) repeatedly mentioned in the comments here.
Much like racism, the concept of ‘treat others how you wish to be treated’ is not an exclusively ‘white’ concept – nor is it, unfortunately, exercised by enough people, caucasian or otherwise.
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I work for AMES (Australian Multi-cultural Education Serivces) which is an organisation that provides education, training and employment services to migrants in Australia. I am a teacher, amongst other things, and also provide migrants with advice on finding a job in Australia. I love my job becuase I get to meet and speak to people from all around the world on a daily basis. Today we celebrated Harmony Day at work so that compelled me to comment on this article.
I agree with the comments below about Australia still having a long way to go in terms of accepting difference. Many of my students tell stories about the set-backs they have due to their background. Many have experienced some form of racism, whether subtle or obvious. However, we have come a long way and I feel as if we are moving forward. Many of my students have come from extremely difficult situations and have come to Australia for a better life. I hope that it is everything that they could ever wish for and that it truly is a new beginning for them. Happy Harmony Day!
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Having not read all the responses and fear of back lash I won’t use my name…
I am not sure the traditional ‘owners’ is the right word. ‘owners’ how do they ‘own’ it.
And if indeed things did go down differently and they could have chosen how would it have made it right for them to choose some people over others.
With that said I am all for inclusion and try very hard to overcome any racial prejudice I have ( after a bad experience for 5 years in highschool left me feeling negative towards a certain race )
I say lets all strive to treat everyone equally
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What a great, well written piece. We celebrated Harmony Day today in my classroom and will be taking this text to further discuss tomorrow.
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I don’t think I’ve ever heard of Harmony Day until the last week or so (on a friend’s blog and the calendar in the office) and didn’t know when it was until I googled it just now. I live in the inner-west of Sydney, so there are plenty of nationalities around me to celebrate the day, if it was more widely known. How new is this Day?
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i think eating cupcakes is a good way to celebrate harmony! ^_^ my favourite example is being in a multicultral relationship my husband is brasilian and i love learning and adopting some his culture into our lives and its important for me to pass this to our future children as well and teach them.
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Because Brazilians are renown for their cupcakes
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I used to think Australia was multicultural. Not so much after having travelled to over 25 countries, and especially since I have moved to London. I feel a lot more diversity here, and an acceptance of said diversity. Especially in the workplace.
My background is Greek, but I was born and raised in Australia. I was called a “wog” constantly whilst growing up (this was in the 90′s mind you) and had my surname ridiculed quite often too (Seriously?! My name?! I have never experienced this anywhere else in the world – UK, USA, anywhere in Europe, Asia…etc). I’ve also experience derisive comments in the workplace disguised as “jokes” or good old “Aussie humour” (it’s not funny, by the way, and everyone can see through your ridiculous excuse). From my experience, and in comparison to a lot of other countries I have lived and travelled in, I feel Australia is still a very racist country (in fact, I have been told this by many people throughout my travels – we are thought of as a very racist country by outsiders), and I doubt something like “Harmony Day” will change this (even though I can appreciate the sentiment).
Ultimately, I think Australian’s are quite sheltered and closed-minded in a sense (maybe because we are so cut-off from the rest of the world?). Perhaps those against continued immigration need to realise that increased diversity and multiculturalism is inevitable and without it, the country that so many are proud to call home, would not exist. I guess it will just take some time, and as the population increases it will be a case of accepting this diversity and embracing it, or being left behind globally and ridiculed as a nation that is unaccepting of anyone who is different or diverse.
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I agree. I lived overseas, in Asia, from the time I was born until I was 18. I came here to go to university and was shocked at the racist comments that were passed off as Australian ‘humor’. Initally I did speak out every time I encountered this type of behavior, but grew exhausted by people’s bewildered recations and the comments that I was too sensitive and just needed to lighten up.
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I find it really, really sad that I agree with you to some extent. I’m adopted from South Korea, raised in Aust by two Caucasian parents.
I can probably bet my life savings that none of my caucasian friends have EVER been asked ‘where are you from?’ or ‘were you born here?’ by complete strangers. One of my friends always says to me, ‘You’re more Aussie than I am’, or ‘Yeah, but you’re Aussie’, and while I know his intentions are good I can’t help but feel that his comments are a little backhanded (not his intention at all) like saying ‘DESPITE your Asian appearance, you are an Australian.’ I think that in some small way it reinforces this idea that there is a more authentic way to be Australian.
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it’s a pretty reasonable assumption to make that anyone who looks “different” to the majority is a foreigner. It’s just human nature. You can’t tell me that a “white” person living in China most of their life wouldn’t be treated the same way.
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No, not reasonable in a multicultural nation like ours as far as I’m concerned. I don’t think comparing to China is reasonable.
In our cities where we have many citizens from various racial backgrounds, yes, your assumption is offensive.
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China is made up of over 20 different ethnic groups so i think the comparison is reasonable. Are you trying to make the point that they all look the same so it doesn’t matter?
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“You can’t tell me that a “white” person living in China most of their life wouldn’t be treated the same way”
^ this does not imply reference to Chinese cultural groups such as the Han, Manchu, Hui etc. If this IS what you meant, then I agree. But we both know that by “white” you meant a different racial group, specifically Anglo/Caucasian. And because of that, my point still stands.
To be clear – I don’t feel it’s reasonable to compare Australia where, in the cities at least, there is a multicultural citizenship of various racial backgrounds, to China which is relatively homogenous race-wise, but with varying cultural and ethnic groups as part of that.
I make no criticism of China, I just don’t believe you’re comparing apples with apples. If China had our multicultural framework, immigration policy, diverse citizenship and history, I would consider the above remark offensive there also.
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But what does majority look like Kelly?
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White obviously
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Good point, if we were truly inclusive you would just be ‘being australian’. No more or less Australian then the next person.
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Yep, Australia is a bit racist. The same way it’s a bit anything. I’m of European/Middle Eastern background, and I have been offended in the past by being asked what my “nationality” is countless times. I too lived in the UK and found it a bit more inclusive. From what I’ve heard the States is better also.
BUT, the UK is older, so is the States. I think we’re OK. I think most Australians are OK. Most, if not all, that I have come across have not intentionally meant any harm by the odd comment that might be seen as offensive. Sometimes my families’ differences are celebrated, sometimes they’re criticised. But I am grateful that I live here and that I am Australian and that we are a growing multicultural nation. While we may still have improvements to make, we are much more accepting of others from racially diverse backgrounds than in Greece or Lebanon where my family is originally from.
Australians are getting better at embracing differences, I think technology helps. We’re heading in the right direction. Happy Harmony Day!
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Harmony Day is all just a big wank
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Why?
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Well Australia is already a pretty “harmonious” place as it is. The idea that a piece of government do-gooder government propaganda will make an ounce of difference to the status quo is naive, and frankly a waste of (taxpayers ) money. These thinks just become an industry – look at the website set up by the dept of immigration, and the advertising that is taking place for it. Everyone who thinks its great can donate $10 towards it to feel good about themselves.
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Well I disagree.
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You’re not being very harmonious
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Do you have anything constructive to offer as a reason, or did you just want to dump that little nugget of negativity and be on your way?
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Harmony Day is not ‘a big wank’. If your going to post on here at least give reason’s for your opinions.
While there are still politicians ‘employ divisive language and pursuing policies that discriminate against particular groups of people and directly jeopardise harmony within our communities’ it is so important that there are people standing up and saying that is not acceptable.
There has to be a counter weight and movement in the community saying that divisive language and actions are not acceptable and that Australia needs to keep working to be a country without discrimination.
Harmony Day and any other days/ movements are definitely required to keep balance in the political debate across Australia.
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