Assimilation

Very interesting article over at Online Opinion, regarding the current debate around “adopting Australian values”. Thought that this quote could not go without mention:

Likewise, if someone is sitting around our nation – not looking or acting Australian – it is enough to just keep telling them: “Become Australian … go on … adopt Australian values!” This is supposed to work and make people want to become Australian.

I used to think that these great national assimilationists actually believed this. But they are not so naïve. They know very well that harassing people into becoming Australian doesn’t work. They also knew that if you tell someone: “Go ahead! Become Australian!” you achieve two things simultaneously. You make yourself feel as if you are supremely, obviously and wonderfully Australian. And you make those you are harassing feel that they are much less Australian than they really are.