We migrants of colour

It is time for Australian migrants of colour to speak up

To let Australia know our true agenda

To wrest control from the racists

Who smear us all with the anti-social activities of a tiny minority

Proportionally much less than the dominant ethnic groups

In order to malign us

To cast us in nasty light

To prove we don’t belong

To accuse us of a sinister agenda

Of replacing the systems and institutions

That constitute modern Australia

With something else

Things not white, things not western

We know it is rubbish

We need to say so, loud and clear

That we treasure Australia’s systems and institutions, that work for us as well as they work for everyone else

That we love the absence of social unrest, which many of us have had to flee

That we blend into Australian life with a commonsense mix of conformity, assimilation and difference

We are by nature conformist, by nature law abiding,

Sharing the aspirations of law-abiding people everywhere

Never dreaming of flouting, let alone doing away with, laws that protect us and those we love

Loving the environment Australia provides for bringing up our children

Loving Australia’s democracy, with its peaceful transfer of power when governments change

That we cheerfully and successfully assimilate where it matters

Enhancing our workplaces with intelligence, skill, and endeavour

Loving sport

That within the framework of conformity and assimilation, our differences become things to celebrate

Our cuisines and cultures and attire adding colour and variety

Enriching the experiences of everyone

Demonstrating that human commonalities outnumber and outweigh differences

Demonstrating the ease of co-existence

Proving that all it takes is to rise above bigotry.

Is it possible to free oneself from the ignorance of racism?

Yes, recognise the innate humanity one shares with the person of colour one passes on the street

It is not difficult, it is a start