Assimilate! Please explain...
Our current politicians are talking about border control and newcomers and the word 'assimilate' comes up once again - that multiculturalism has not worked well and has led to pockets of unassimilated ghettos in our cities, inappropriate behaviour and lack of English. So migrants are asked to 'assimilate' - blend in, be one of the mob, find the norm and mimick that.
Well, if someone arrives in Melbourne and is shown around our city icons they will of course be shown Federation Square. Okay, now how to assimilate based on that one? Make your little cottage look like the diamond walls of Federation Square? Okay, is that what you mean by 'assimilate'?
W.
Well, if someone arrives in Melbourne and is shown around our city icons they will of course be shown Federation Square. Okay, now how to assimilate based on that one? Make your little cottage look like the diamond walls of Federation Square? Okay, is that what you mean by 'assimilate'?
W.
posted by Peceli and Wendy's Blog at 4:26 PM
4 Comments:
what is this on top of the houses? these houses are supposed to be in the guetto? they don't look like shacks or anything... maybe i'm missing something here.
Sorry! The top picture is meant to show the bizarre design of our Melbourne icon, Federation Square. So what if migrants think that is the norm of building design so all want to fit in - you know - assimilate with the locals. It's meant to be a joke on our current immigration discussion on migrants, in expecting them to be clones instead of bringing their various customs and views of life.
W.
We are the Oz-Borg, mate. Resistance is futile. You will be assimilated, by crikey!
Oh dear! I don't think Oz could assimilate someone like you Moody! On the other hand, part of the Oz culture is to be an individual - like Steve Irwin. His Memorial Service starts at 9 a.m. today - about 5000 people will be at the Zoo, and I guess millions will watch it on TV. So if he is 'typically' Australian - which of course he isn't - but he is an 'ideal' of foolhardedness and bush courage - then it's okay to be so. So there is an inherent contradiction in John Howard's talk of assimilation on the on hand and hero-worship of an individual on the other hand.
W.
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