CR181 History Posts – Asia and Australia’s Engagement with Asia

With Australia already being and becoming an ever more culturally diverse nation it is important that Australian school students understand the contribution that Asia has played in this diverse country and what part Australia play’s and will play within Asia’s future. The Australian Curriculum, Assessment and Reporting Authority (ACARA) have outlined a cross-curricular priority that focuses on Asia and Australia’s engagement with Asia. The first sentence in ACARA’s outlined statement aims to educate students about the “diversity within and between the countries of the Asia region. Reflecting upon the Introduction to History (CR181) course at Christian Heritage College one image in particular represents exactly what ACARA has aimed to achieve.

 Retrieved from Leo (2013)

This image taken from Leo, (2013), presents five young girls of Asian descent proudly wearing Australian flag Hijabs. Students will have to delve into many questions regarding the diverse culture portrayed in this photograph, as well as seeing past stereotypes that have formed the Australian conception of ‘what does an Asian look like’. 

Firstly, not all of Asia is south and east of China; India, Iran, Sri Lanka and many more sub-continent and Middle Eastern countries are regarded as Asian. These five young girls, on appearance, are from Middle Eastern countries, therefore they are Asian. Secondly, it is important to highlight to students that these girls have made the choice to acknowledge a part of their culture that is not mandatory by wearing the Hijab. Diversity of cultures within countries has become prevalent and the ACARA aim is starting to be achieved. After a process the photograph has displayed cultural diversity within Australia and its engagement with Asia. 

Pivotal to what the photograph represents is the Australian Flag styled Hijab being worn be each of the girls. This action taken by the girls encompasses many Australian values mixed with cultural heritage.

Freedom – Australian’s often speak of the importance of freedom, by choosing to wear the Hijab the girls have shown the freedom that they feel within Australia.

Patriotism – Like any national flag, the Australian flag has been used as a symbol for patriotism. In the photograph five young and proud Australian’s display their patriotism through their new country’s national symbol.

           Cultural diversity/heritage – Just as the singlet or a pair of thongs has formed a cultural identity of Australians, the Hijab has become the symbol for Muslims. Sadly in the western world, especially Australia, the Hijab has become a symbol of oppression. Liz Conor (2005) suggests that the discriminatory ideology that some Australian’s hold for the traditional head scarf is because of the feministic expression and liberation of Australian women’s more revealing fashion. However, what is represented in this particular photograph is that the five girls are proud of the culture and are free to express themselves as Australian Muslims.

          An exploration into the image provides students with the “knowledge and understanding of Asian societies, cultures, beliefs and environments, and the connections between the peoples of Asia,” (ACARA, 2013), just as ACARA states in imperative for Australian curriculum. 

References

Australian Curriculum Assessment and Reporting Authority. (2013). Cross-curriculum priorities. Retrieved from http://www.acara.edu.au/curriculum/cross_curriculum_priorities.html

Leo, R. (2013). Lecture 12 – The immigration question [Powerpoint slides]. Retrieved from CR181H, Christian Heritage College, Moodle: http://chc.moodle.com.au/course/view.php?id=231

Conor, L. (2005, September 9). Hijab means different things to Westerners and Muslims. The Age. Retrieved from http://www.theage.com.au/news/opinion/hijab-means-different-things-to-westerners-and-muslims/2005/09/08/1125772644239.html

Islamic Myths. (2013). Retrieved from http://islamicmyths.wordpress.com/2008/01/06/hijab-is-not-a-compulsion-of-islam/

Wideblue19899. (2007, July 25). Asianisation of Australia [video file]. Retrieved from http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mo07_YajUug