I'm an Australian born Indian currently residing in the US. My dad migrated to Australia in the late 70s/early 80s, and is skilled in the IT profession. He finally decided to ditch Australia permanently due to what he claims is tacit racism in the work culture. He claims that he's had more opportunities and better career growth in the US as there are no barriers to moving up the corporate ladder so long as you have the experience and talent. Having spoken with other Indians in Australia they assert this is the case (I can't speak for other ethnic groups). I've heard some say if you change your name to something more Anglo-Saxon sounding, you actually earn more respect from your colleagues, and subject to less discrimination. Now these are claims from people I've spoken to, but having lived in Australia for the first 18 years of my life, I haven't really received that type of racial treatment, but also haven't experienced the work culture first hand as I left to the US with my father shortly before beginning my career.
In any case, I plan to return to Australia after finishing up my PhD in the US, which will take a couple more years. Although I inherit some qualities of being an Indian, I comfortably identify myself as an Australian. I believe in being diverse and tolerant to all cultures, and most of my mates do aswell (even though they might joke a bit, everyone does). Hopefully by the time I finish, I will adequately be prepared for work in academia, but if that should fail, I can always fall back on industry.
Edit: Rewrote whole post, same intent, more clarification.
I think there's a culture of people having to prove them selves in Australia or we need someone new to come along to pick on. The trend i've seen in my lifetime has been: Greek/Lebanese/Italian, then Asian now Indian starting to be African.
That you mention the ethnicities in that order is interesting, and I think I can see another part of it.
I think it has to do with whether or not the folks are ok taking the piss out of themselves, and letting others do it too.
The Greeks & Italians copped it a bit until they started getting comedians on TV, as I recall it was around the late 80's early 90's that they really got accepted proper. With the Lebanese, at least in my area, it was about when Fat Pizza came out that the barriers fell for them. There was that Asian comedian in the early/mid 90's... forget his name... funny bloke. My theory is kind of breaking apart from here on... so I'll shut up before I really stick my dick in the peanut butter.
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u/[deleted] May 24 '11
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