1. Post-colonial Literature for Children – EDU32PLC Week 7 Lecture 13 Multicultures and Identities © La Trobe University, David Beagley, 2006

2. References Bunbury, R. (1997) Old neighbours, new visions - at a melting point? Kroll, J. (1997) The new Fringe Dwellers: the problem of ethnicity in recent Australian children’s picture books. Both in Old neighbours, new visions: selected papers from the 1st conference of the Australian Children’s Literature Association for Research, ed. Maureen Nimon. Adelaide: University of South Australia Starke, R. (1995) What is a multicultural book? Viewpoint: on books for young adults. 3(1) Autumn: 22-24 Pearce, S. (2003) Messages from the Inside? Multiculturalism in contemporary Australian children’s literature. The Lion and the Unicorn. [online] 27(2) April: 235-250. Available: Project Muse

3. Refresher - the range of options Apartheid - total separation of distinct cultural, social or ethnic groups  Assimilation - individuality to a degree, but only in the terms of the dominant social culture  Multiculturalism - recognition of, respect for, and equivalence of the cultural markers of the different groups

4. Refresher - Australia’s migrant experience Early Settlement - convicts/farmers - steady, controlled growth - Anglo-Celtic dominance Gold Rush - many groups and ideas - uncontrolled rapid influx - European, US, Chinese Expansion to Federation - Imperial identity - back to steady, controlled growth & Anglo-Celtic dominance through White Australia World Wars - xenophobic hysteria - reception of refugees - recognition of place in the wider world Mass Migration - still predominantly European - emphasis on assimilation Multiculturalism and Boat People - Australia as part of Asia - still not entirely comfortable with the idea

5. Representation of “others” in Australian children’s literature – a brief history Pre-1950s … occasional reference to cultural / racial identity of a minor character. Often linked to questionable morals, or role in story, and usually stereotyped depiction. With mass migration of 1950s, cultural landscape of cities changes as European identities become commonplace. Thus those identities become an element in storylines 1961 – The Racketty Street Gang (LH Evers), The Sun on the Stubble (Colin Thiele) – German Uncle Gustav’s ghosts (1974), The Shadow on the Hills (1977) the Valley Between (1981) – the local community

6. Representation of “others” – 70s and 80s The Chinese Boy (1973 – David Martin), Nicking Off (1975 – Judith Crabtee), Salt River Times (1980 – William Mayne) – reactions to racist discrimination towards Chinese Five times dizzy (1982) and Dancing in the Anzac Deli (1985 – both Nadia Wheatley) – Greek The day Grandma came to stay (and spoilt my life) (1988 – Diana Kidd) – Italian Onion Tears (1989 – Diana Kidd) - Vietnamese

7. Representation of “others” – the early 90s The China Coin (1991 - Allan Baillie), Looking for Alibrandi (1992 - Melina Marchetta) - teenage identity with an added complication Big Dog (1991 – Libby Gleeson), Mr Plunkett’s pool (1992 – Gillian Rubinstein) - just part of the scenery Brat Cat (1994 – Elizabeth Hutchins) – intercultural adoption

8. Representation of “others” – the later 90s Lisdalia (1994), Maddie (1995), Only the Heart (1997 – all Brian Caswell) – immigrant experience Speak Chinese Fang Fang, Fang Fang’s Chinese New Year (both 1996 – Sally Rippin) – which identity? The Divine Wind (1998 – Gary Disher) – making choices between cultures and attitudes NIPS XI (2001) and NIPS go national (2003 – both Ruth Starke)

9. Common themes Identity – who am I, in relation to others? Differentiation – what makes me different, what keeps me different, how do I belong? Cultural markers – points of difference Immigrant experience – disorientation and alienation Personal identity and relationships – self, family, friends, school The Mainstream encountering the Other

10. Australian Multicultural Children’s Literature Award: 1991-1995 Awarded by the Office of Multicultural Affairs within the Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet Political and public criteria - an ideological expression “… we do not want books that are preachy in style [but] … those where the issue is naturally integrated into the story line.” (Austin 1993) The Safe or the Questioning? “Bland/accidental coexistence” (living in harmony) OR Exploring “difficult issues” (racism, alienation, clashes within diversity, ethnic tensions)

11. Australian Multicultural Children’s Literature Award: 1991-1995 1995 Moloney, James Gracey - Senior 1995 Caswell, Brian Lisdalia - Junior 1995 Lewis, Naomi & Overend, Jenni Princesma - Picture 1994 Marsden, John Tomorrow, when the war began - Senior 1994 Woodhouse, Jena Metis, the Octopus and the Olive Tree - Junior 1994 Abdulla, Ian As I Grew Older - Picture 1993 Marchetta, Melina Looking for Alibrandi - Senior 1993 Kidd, Diana The Fat and Juicy Place - Junior 1993 Rubinstein, Gillian & Denton, Terry Mr Plunkett's Pool - Picture 1992 Baillie, Alan The China Coin -Senior 1992 Utemorrah, Daisy & Torres, Pat Do Not Go Around the Edges - Junior 1992 Gleeson, Libby & Greder, Armin Big Dog - Picture 1991 Sharpe, Elaine The Rainbow Serpent - Picture

12. Uncommon theme Should the social concept of Multiculturalism include Australian Aboriginal culture? (Bunbury p.65) Only a recent social development In response to migration of non-Europeans Australian Aborigines are an invaded, dispossessed indigenous culture They never invited all these different groups Why should they be simply one among many in their own land?