White Australia Policy example essay topic
400 words
Racism and alienation is a battle that can now be thought of as one that can be won. In "Singing the Dogstar Blues", the main character Joss is paired up with alien and she, and also the entire population of the book, have to overcome certain mental boundaries put up by the sub conscious which relate to the "letting in" of some one whom may be considered as different. As can be seen in events in history such as, firstly, in Australian history when Chinese gold miners came to Australia and were treated terribly. Moving on then to when the white Australia policy was enforced, and then finally Australia's new stance on a multicultural country. In the nineteenth century when the goldmines of Australia were attracting prospectors from around the globe, many from the over crowded country of China rushed here in search of a key to fortune. Along the way they were faced with racism and discrimination because of their race. In 'Singing the dogstar blues' when the chorians arrive from outer space, they too were faced with discrimination and racism, and were not entirely accepted by many. The name 'flatheads" was given as a derogatory comment to the chorians. Australia, in the early parts of the nineteen hundreds, set up an immigration policy which basically allowed the Australian government, a very racist Australian government, to hand pick who they thought should be allowed to take up residence in Australia. In "singing the dogstar blues" if given the chance, the residence of earth in the book would have put up a similar policy.
With the boundaries of the old world, slow travel, bad communication and the likes, being broken down the world of today has to be a much more multicultural and accepting place. In the book the motivation to become multiracial (humans / chorians ) is due to technology but is still reason enough for the merging of societies. Any reason is good enough! Similar events take place in the book and in real life, very close to home, in Australia.
It is possible to move on from the past, where things like the discrimination of the Chinese and the white Australia policy took place, and create a multicultural society which can be seen in Australia and also developing in singing the dogstar blues.
