Australian National Identity
Let me begin by clarifying the word 'identity'. The word identity, according to the dictionary means "The state of being exactly that which has been claimed, asserted, or described." Now if you ask me, our national identity as Australians is not how the media has claimed or described it to be. To see this, I think we need to take a step back and view Australian television shows and advertisements the way a foreigner to our country would view it. We do not advertise ourselves very well, therefore providing people with various misleading images. Our image and identity has mostly lingered with the representation of the Bushmen who are macho, tough, rough characters who set out to conquer a difficult landscape. The image could even be described as a bit distant and dull. It is commonly thought that the primary source of this image is perhaps because of our geographical isolation on earth. Although, I don't believe this is ultimately why we have given this ambiguous image of ourselves to foreigner
Only an insignificant amount of us are shown through our TV screens, or through the media overseas. This may seem far-fetched, but what else do they have to judge us Australians on? We don't have that many resources which are showing our diversity. Although, some multiculturalists claim Australia has no distinct culture of its own, I think this is because the Australian identity is of a more elusive quality. Foreigners aren't seeing Australian's as to what is true, or as to what is entirely true of our diverse land. Although it is more realistic in that it is set in the suburbia, the varieties of characters are quite inadequate. Which providentially, in this modern-day it is not very common to have a complete white, heterosexual crowd. Although, not all our Australian media is inadequate. Although Australians are proud to have these as symbols, our very diverse and multi-cultural population has gone unnoticed. Masculine views where the female gender didn't really come into the Australian National Identity at all. We are a country that has accepted differences in language, culture, human rights, refugee status, values, beliefs, food, behaviour and laws. If you were to ask a person living overseas what came to mind when they thought of Australia, I'm sure it would be either our unique fauna, for example Kangaroos, Emus, Koalas etc, or our recognizable sites like Uluru, The Great Barrier Reef or The Sydney Harbour Bridge. Not only has it got a wide range of age, but it shows differences such as race, values, beliefs, family life, marital status, religion, backgrounds and gender. Imagine if Steve Irwin was the only Australian personality that you had seen or experienced.
Common topics in this essay:
Identity Hypothesis-,
Irwin Australian,
Bridge Australians,
Richard White,
Australians Surprisingly,
Australian Citizens,
Anglo Celtics,
National Identity,
Ward Masculine,
national identity,
Emus Koalas,
australian national,
australian national identity,
steve irwin,
values beliefs,
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Acceptance Essays
