Australia is known to be one of the most multicultural country in the world. However, most cultures that live in Australia do not fit in as white Australians. Mainstream Australians have the expectation that everyone who migrates to Australia should conform. According to some writers who identified the ideologies held by mainstream Australians, migrants or people from other cultures often feel excluded and discriminated. It is also evident through poems written by Komninos titled “Nobody calls me a wog anymore” and the other by Uyen Nhu Loewald, titled “Be good, little migrants” which clearly explains the daily challenges faced by migrants. Additionally these two texts portray how mainstream Australians are perceived through a migrant’s eyes.
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In the poem the author touches on some of the issues that migrants faced such as racism and discrimination, and him frequently being called a wog (slang word in the idiom of Australian English and British English, usually employed as an ethnic or racial slur and considered derogatory and offensive (Wikipedia). The point that the author is trying to put across throughout the poem is, the need to be accepted and a sense of belonging within his community. In this text Zervos also states that he was laughed at throughout his childhood due to his name and identity. Therefore, the poet believed that he wasn’t recognised as the average Australian to the extent that he had to say "hey Australia look at me" and act …show more content…
Through the first few introductory verbs, it is evident that Zervos shows his anger towards the ignorance displayed by some Australians towards his racial and cultural background. His anguish, is reflected by the certainty that the white Australian society did not accept him although he was a legal migrant. Consequently, the lack of respect from white Australians, caused him to write the word ‘Australia’ in lower case a throughout the poem, for example lines 2 and 59. Another possible explanation is that the writer was very disheartened by the treatment he received from mainstream Australians and as a result he refuses to identify as a “typical” Australian. Examples of personification can be seen in the text, for example when he says “Australia Hey” as if he was communicating with the whole nation. He intentionally refers to the whole Australian nation rather than individuals. A good example of repetition is the use of the word Australia throughout the poem to remind the reader who the subject matter is. The author also talks about “Fair dinkum ridgy didge a dinky die true blue” in the poem and this phrase is a good example of assonance which is the technique of repetitive vowel sounds in a sentence. The use of some slang terms is an emphasis on Zervos’ understanding of the Australian slang and culture. Zervos highlights the issue of racism in Australia through his own personal journey using many language
In the poem the author touches on some of the issues that migrants faced such as racism and discrimination, and him frequently being called a wog (slang word in the idiom of Australian English and British English, usually employed as an ethnic or racial slur and considered derogatory and offensive (Wikipedia). The point that the author is trying to put across throughout the poem is, the need to be accepted and a sense of belonging within his community. In this text Zervos also states that he was laughed at throughout his childhood due to his name and identity. Therefore, the poet believed that he wasn’t recognised as the average Australian to the extent that he had to say "hey Australia look at me" and act …show more content…
Through the first few introductory verbs, it is evident that Zervos shows his anger towards the ignorance displayed by some Australians towards his racial and cultural background. His anguish, is reflected by the certainty that the white Australian society did not accept him although he was a legal migrant. Consequently, the lack of respect from white Australians, caused him to write the word ‘Australia’ in lower case a throughout the poem, for example lines 2 and 59. Another possible explanation is that the writer was very disheartened by the treatment he received from mainstream Australians and as a result he refuses to identify as a “typical” Australian. Examples of personification can be seen in the text, for example when he says “Australia Hey” as if he was communicating with the whole nation. He intentionally refers to the whole Australian nation rather than individuals. A good example of repetition is the use of the word Australia throughout the poem to remind the reader who the subject matter is. The author also talks about “Fair dinkum ridgy didge a dinky die true blue” in the poem and this phrase is a good example of assonance which is the technique of repetitive vowel sounds in a sentence. The use of some slang terms is an emphasis on Zervos’ understanding of the Australian slang and culture. Zervos highlights the issue of racism in Australia through his own personal journey using many language