Perceptions

Having worked in 52 countries I might have a different view of the world from the average Australian but I do find it funny how the local attitude of the main stream media seems to pretend that other nationalities do not exist.

Look through the main newspapers and you will hardly ever see an Asian face except in a news story of a Chinese girl hero in Martin Place, and local rags are just the same except for the Adult Services pages. Look at Soaps such as Home and Away and you would think Asians do not exist. OK, the series is set on a beach side paradise but look at the majority of restaurants on the mid north coast area and you find them mainly run by Chinese. The excellent Canton Chinese restaurant at Tookley has been around for over 35 years. Sydney North Shore schools have their compliment of Asians while in the West statistics from the last census say the percentage is over 33% non-Caucasian. Go to the Auburn RSL with 100 plus other people for their brilliant buffet on a weekend night and you will not find a Caucasian except on the front desk.

Previously having researched modelling in Australia and asking the leading department stores why no Asian models in their catelogues, all I had in response was that they did use a token one from time to time. And anyway the model bible says you have to be 170cm (5’7”) at least to qualify as a stereotype and how many Asians fit that bill? Do Asians have no purchasing power or do they only worship and want to emulate thin tall lanky blond models?

So the question is “How come we keep Asians under the carpet when they form such a large part of the community?” Do we pretend that people from Asia do not exist or are we afraid that they are really in Australia already in such numbers that it is better to bury one’s head in the sand? I am not even going to mention the possibility of the “R” word but simply reiterate the observation that this situation exists and that it seems peculiar in face of reality…