Interviews
cont.
The wars and these political realignments had a profound effect on us. Instead of being an obscure and isolated member of the Commonwealth, Australia was becoming a member of a dangerous and complex world. The UK was firmly integrated into the European Union while Australia was becoming a member of the Pacific Rim countries.
In the suburbs it was hard for the locals to accept the migrants. Through their eyes the migrants had weirdo customs and didn’t speak the language. They ate black or green olives and their women drank Brandy instead of shandy, beer, or lemon squash. With the passage of time however European migrants were accepted and the migrants from Asia had similar experiences. Non acceptance at first but eventual acceptance some time later.
By contrast Aborigines never ceased to be the targets of prejudice and to this date they are not accepted in our communities.
DONNA WILLIAMS:
Most people tend to think of Australia as ‘the lucky country’, a privileged place, a multicultural place. What’s your place in that stereotype?