Multiculturalism is a word Australia seems to know very well, but do we all understand it?
From a young age, multiculturalism is instilled through our school’s Multicultural Day, where students come together, putting their stressful academic lives aside to enjoy their own as well as other cultures and learn how these cultures form a united multicultural country.
My experiences with Multicultural Day usually start in awe. Everywhere you look, you see bright shiny clothes. I walk into school wearing my Kurta I had only thought to wear on Diwali, and Jhumkas I bought from a market in India. The first few periods are always spent admiring people’s outfits. The different styles, designs and colours seem so vibrant compared to the basic white and maroon school uniform I see every morning. It is a rare sight to see people embracing their culture in a whole different way.
My favourite part of the day is the dance performances, which take up our lunch break. With songs ranging from “Desi Girl” to “I Am Australian”, it’s a memorable time where you get to see everyone come together, looking different but united, and proudly watch fellow students perform to songs that many of us don’t understand. These days we’re all staring at our phone screens, trying to get a good shot to post on our story but deep down many of us are hoping that maybe next year we’ll have the guts to perform and show our culture like them.
Many schools in Sydney celebrate Multicultural Day to commemorate the different cultures that are spread out across the schools. A day like this helps students like me be proud of their roots and stay in touch with their own culture no matter how far they are from their homeland. It is also a day to showcase a part of our identity to our friends and teachers which helps them get a better understanding of where we may come from. Also known as Harmony Day, it is here to promote a sense of belonging amongst the many different individuals that have come from many different corners of the world.
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I asked people I know across Western Sydney on how their school celebrates Multicultural Day and how it impacts them.
Mahi Bhavsar, a student from Penrith High School, said, “Some people bring food to share and many groups perform dances and acts they have been putting together and dedicating their time to since the beginning of the year.”
Javinder Roelink from Northmead CAPA High School revealed, “As my family doesn’t have a very prominent culture we don’t do much, but I celebrate Multicultural Day in school with friends. Multicultural Day has a good impact on the school as it allows us to see that we share so many cultures in our community and it brings us closer together. And of course I get to try new food!”
Hollie Casey, another Northmead CAPA High School student explained, “I am of Irish and Maltese background. Multicultural day at my school is definitely something I look forward to every year. I enjoy being around other cultures and learning about new foods, traditions and languages that I probably would never have heard of before. I do think this makes a positive impact on my school as it creates a more welcoming atmosphere for every student, teacher or parent no matter where or how they grew up; this is extremely important to provide the students with more knowledge of other cultures especially whilst growing up in such a diverse country like Australia.”
#QandA: The Q+A panel discuss Australia’s First Nations and colonial past, and the multiculturalism of modern Australian society.
Catch up on Q+A on iview: https://t.co/DjAtPnVk3X pic.twitter.com/wT0Gk9TNf3
— ABC News (@abcnews) August 27, 2024
The other day on ABC, an audience member on Q&A said multiculturalism isn’t a “great thing” and said it is the reason the original British/Irish majority has been demonised. But days like Multicultural Day are celebrated throughout Australia to create less racism and hate towards everyone. Multicultural Day is about making our home more inclusive for all, and helping everyone in our generation understand that inclusivity doesn’t involve destruction of others.
Angel Parekh wrote this piece as part of her weeklong work experience at Indian Link. She’s a Year 10 student at Sydney’s Northmead Creative and Performing Arts School
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