Post-colonial Literature for Children EDU32PLC

Week 7 Lecture 13

Multicultures and
Identities

La Trobe University,
David Beagley, 2006

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 childrens picture books.
Both in Old neighbours, new visions: selected papers from the 1st
conference of the Australian Childrens 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 childrens literature. The Lion and
the Unicorn. [online] 27(2) April: 235-250. Available: Project
Muse

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

Refresher - Australias 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

Representation of others in Australian

childrens 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 Gustavs ghosts (1974), The Shadow on the Hills
(1977) the Valley Between (1981) the local community

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

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 Plunketts pool
(1992 Gillian Rubinstein) - just part of the
scenery
Brat Cat (1994 Elizabeth Hutchins)
intercultural adoption

Representation of others
the later 90s
Lisdalia (1994), Maddie (1995), Only the Heart
(1997 all Brian Caswell) immigrant experience
Speak Chinese Fang Fang, Fang Fangs 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)

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

Australian Multicultural Childrens

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)

Australian Multicultural Childrens

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

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?