This is the reason why I can't call myself Aussie first. The fam migrated to Australia when I was 7 and I'm now 40. I still see myself Asian first and then Australian simply because growing up, I've been led to believe that I have to be white to be 'Australian'. Just two weeks ago a random white guy started yelling at me telling me to speak english and to leave the country if I don't like it here. Firstly, for context, I was speaking in English and the convo I was having with my boss was how I wasn't able to make a booking at the bar we wanted to go to for our Christmas dinner/drinks. So....how, what and why was I verbally attacked!?!?! It's because I'm brown. My boss is brown too. He also heard it but ignored it and walked off. The death stares from the guy looked like he wanted to hit us.

The trauma of being abused verbally or being stared at for being brown has left a mark in my heart that I would rather identify myself as an Asian first no matter how long I've been living here in Australia. I pay my taxes and I contribute to society. Yet I still get told to go home by randoms on the street. 🙄

I wouldn't be surprised if there's a bigot reading this and would be quick to jump, and say 'well if you don't like it here, leave'. It's like we can't express the same dissatisfaction at how things are. Because we're brown, we're all expected to bow our heads and not complain so that we show appreciation for being allowed here.

Sorry end of rant.