Advertisement

Peter Dutton’s comments this week about illiterate and innumerate refugees did not sit well with the Australian public. He is just about as popular as home-brand milk right now.

The Immigration Minister’s remarks about refugees who “languish in unemployment queues and on Medicare and the rest of it” did not just spark outrage among the Australian immigrant population… it also attracted the ire of media commentators including Karl Stefanovic who called him downright “un-Australian.”

There is one positive outcome though. The internet has been flooded by stories of immigrant success.

A group of creatives from the advertising industry have also come together to create the I Am A Boat Person campaign. Their aim is to create and distribute a collection of posters that highlight the positive impact Asylum Seekers can have on Australia by using examples of real-life success stories.

'I Came By Boat' is a project started by refugee Blanka Dudas highlighting the triumphs of Australian Refugees. Image via I came by boat.org.au

Former asylum seekers included in the campaign now work as surgeons, scientists and make-up artists, to name a few.

Campaign coordinator Blanka Dudas also came to Australia as an asylum seeker. She was a refugee from Yugoslavia.

"I know what it’s like to run for your life with nothing but the clothes you are wearing, and to have to start again," Dudas said. "I am grateful for the treatment I received; it was immensely helpful in rebuilding my life."

"I was able to create a successful career as a makeup artist, in Australia and overseas."

Twitter also lit up with refugee success stories.

Osmah Sami - author and comedian.

Privileged to be the 1st Muslim Australian of Iraqi heritage to win a national literary prize. #NSWPremiersLitAwards pic.twitter.com/vki6kTAnYW

— Osamah Sami (@OsamahSami) May 18, 2016

When Sami was a teenager his family left Iran to seek refuge in Australia. He is now a bestselling author and comedian.

@SBSNews I'm a refugee & just won the #NSWPremiersLitAwards prize. For writing a book. In my 3rd language. Can you read these words, Dutton? — Osamah Sami (@OsamahSami) May 18, 2016

My "uneducated" parents who didn't have chance to finish primary school & raised 2 kids who are a barrister & lawyer pic.twitter.com/yKEpG8mq73

— Kon Karapanagiotidis (@Kon__K) May 18, 2016

I came to Australia in 2004 as a refugee. Worked in the healthcare for 5 years and now doing my PhD. #Showmeyoursqualifications #Dutton — C S Chol (@War_Health) May 18, 2016

My dad migrated to Australia in 1990, learned to speak English watching Play School, is now award winning chef. #Soilliterate

— Jenn Atilemile (@jennatilemile) May 19, 2016

@Kon__K my "illiterate" father came here in '59, worked for the same company for 37 years, why?...he was dependable/reliable & good worker! — Ivan Hecimovic (@hecivan70) May 18, 2016

my mum was an illiterate migrant who taught herself english then went on to have an MP son and a daughter who is a phenomenal twitter celeb

— Sabina Husic (@sabinahusic) May 18, 2016

Hey @PeterDutton_MP, two of my best friends are "illiterate and innumerate" refugees. They're both currently studying medicine with HDs — Ariana Norton (@arianaknorton) May 19, 2016

Seems like being "illiterate" is no barrier to achieving some serious goals.

If you would like to support theI Came By Boatcampaign please visit their Chuffed page here.

Author

Comments

No Comments

Be the first to leave a comment