What is Australian culture?

There's a lot of discussion around the young Asian Australian discourse particularly in education. Tutoring colleges, selective school entry, opportunity classes, scholarships which are directly and indirectly associated with the growing focus in secondary school English for texts to reflect such experiences. My studies with my English students on Module A for Standard English for example, contemporary Asian Australian poetry such as 'Translucent Jade' by Maureen Ten, helped me appreciate and further articulate the experiences of migrant background youths.

This focus on cultural dissonance and its resulting turbulence in perceived experiences is not just on Asian Australians but every human being. Culture no doubt has a huge direct and indirect influence on who we believe we are, who we want to create, why, when and how. Through my limited travels, the countries with deeply rooted cultures which are still very well preserved, such as Italy and Japan for example, I felt there was less confusion with what culture means to them. There is less questioning, more simplicity with who they believe they are.

In Australia, many migrants who come from a different culture may have mixed messages throughout their upbringing. A different message at home. A different message on social media they see globally. A different message at school being spread by teachers. A different message between friends. However, I believe this should not be viewed as just a struggle. While there is extensive searching, filtering and an array of emotional navigation, this process can very much be an organic, powerful opportunity to dig deep, to go beyond/through the struggles to create the most sincere version of oneself.

To me, this raises the question: what is the Australian culture? This discourse was also influenced by my recent watching of 'Nearly Australian' featuring Myriam Margoyles who discusses John Solomons/John Sidney, who stated "It's the possibility of making a fortune which drives the migrant to Australia." Many come to Australia for a multitude of reasons; for safety, to make more money, to have a sense of belonging. To not complicate, I try to view the big picture: human coexistence. However, within the minute details, it's very easy to fall sight of this big picture. There's a lot of a rat race going on in Sydney, to pay the bills, to buy a house etc. And visibly, it is very much the survival of the fittest: who can adapt, who can be brave. These survival tactics, mixed with different interactions of cultures, mixed with the inherent 'human' within us all can, in my opinion, can create a strange situation for Australia. Again, what is the Australian culture that will unite us all? Perhaps the answer may lie in biology and in the mindset of humans more primally: we will rise and defend where we have grown up, grown familiar and comfortable to?

Growing up in Australia, I heard that Australia was a place to give people "a fair go." What it means to be "Australian" and "Un-Australian." Australia is about comradery and mateship. In my teens, Australia became more about the appreciation and respect of the Indigenous, which there is still extensive discourse surrounding.

Through writing this piece of my mind's regurgitation, I remind myself of "for every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction." Every country and its respective culture has its bloodsheds, its difficulties. In Australia, there is still so much inequality, so many problems, and there always will be. English Extension 1 studies on Utopia and Dystopia will say that Utopias can never exist. All we can try is to ensure balance, fairness in spirit and to play our part within society.

The 'conclusion' I can arrive to for now, is the appreciation and respect for cosmopolitanism. Everyone has their own unique experiences and depths (whether conscious or unconscious) they can provide of value. We need to listen actively so that we can appreciate these values and coexist together. In my short and humble life, this is what Australia has taught me and very much seems like the inverse of my heritage, Japan. Nonetheless, I am very grateful for a beautiful country which I can call home and always come back to safely, wherever I am in the world.

W.I.P.