Multiculturalism Defined
Saturday, January 01, 2000
Multiculturism left undefined is a two-edged sword. Australia's rich mix of cultures is model of civilised co-existence. But when rival tribes of immigrants bring their ancient feuds to this country, we have good reason to be anxious.
Let us keep the baby and throw out the bathwater. Let immigrants vow "to transfer their loyalty to the Multicultural Commonwealth of Australia, and to renounce traditional hatreds".
As a child I was strongly tempted to be sucked into the centuries-old English-Irish feud. Everyone has deep tribal ("us and them") instincts which can be awakened and directed through acculturation. Finally I made a conscious decision to turn my back on this "love/hate affair" and transfer my passion to a wider cause, human civilisation.
What we need is a new, forward-looking, explicit, anti-tribal definition of multiculturism, and a definite commitment from new Australians.
Philip O'Carroll