Australia is a multicultural society, which means that we are made up of people from all different cultures and backgrounds. Poetry on multicultural Australia can reveal both the positive and negative aspects of our multicultural society. This anthology will examine three Australian poems concerned with the topic of multiculturalism, each presenting a different image and opinion. The first poem, ‘If I was the son of an Englishman,’ by Komninos, takes a critical view of white Australia, and highlights some of the attitudes, values and beliefs which work to exclude certain groups from being accepted and included in Australian society. The second poem, ‘Multicultural Australia’ by Bronte Ayres, uses food to demonstrate a more light-hearted and positive view of multiculturalism.
If I was the son of an Englishman
If I was the son of an Englishman,
I’d really be an aussie,
I could be a high court judge,
Or an actor on the telly,
I could be a union boss,
Or a co-star with skippy,
I could even be prime-minister,
Or comment on the footy.
If I was the son of an Englishman,
I’d really be an aussie.
But my father eats salami,
And my mother she wears black,
My last name’s Papadopoulos,
And my first name’s just plain Jack.
If I was the son of an Englishman,
I’d really be true blue,
I could drink myself to delirium, and glorify the spew,
I could desecrate the countryside,
And destroy the kangaroo,
I could joke about the irish,
The greeks, the abos and the jews.
If I was the son of an Englishman,
I’d really be true blue.
But my father he drinks ouzo,
And my mother she wears black,
My last name’s Papadopoulos,
And my first name’s just plain Jack.
If I was the son of an Englishman,
I’d really be fair-dinkum,
I’d be seen and not heard,
I’d be quiet on the tram,
I’d be rowdy at the footy,
And cold to me fellow man,
I’d build four walls around me,
And wouldn’t give a damn,
If I was the son of an Englishmen,
I’d really be fair...