Tag Archives: multiculturalism

Digital Community Radio: Benefiting Ethnic Groups In Australia

Posted on by
2

Flick through community radio channels on the AM and FM dials in Australia and you will come across Chinese, Korean, Greek and Italian programs at some point.

With an increasing number of Australians coming from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds, there is definitely a local audience for ethnic community radio programs. It makes sense to have more of these programs available to cater to this demographic’s listening pleasure. This is possible through community digital radio services that offer more stations, greater choices of ethnic programs.

Without sufficient funding, the digital future of community radio looks bleak. SYN 90.7FM studios circa 2008. Photo: Mabel Kwong

Without sufficient funding, the digital future of community radio looks bleak. SYN 90.7FM studios circa 2008. Photo: Mabel Kwong

However, a recent $1.4 million shortfall in Government funding for community radio digital services means that there might not be additional ethnic programs on-air anytime soon.

Continue reading →

Not Exactly White But Asian Enough To Be A Top Model

Posted on by
7

Last week, half Singaporean-Chinese, half-Portuguese Jessica Gomes was unveiled as the new face of Australia’s oldest up-market department store David Jones, replacing world-renowned Aussie model Miranda Kerr as its ambassador.

It is the first time the retailer has chosen an Asian person to be its nationwide front face, recognising the fact that everyone is beautiful regardless of their skin colour in an increasingly diverse Australia.

Ethnic faces are starting to make an appearance in fashion catalogues today. Photo: Mabel Kwong
Ethnic faces are starting to get featured more beside Caucasian faces in fashion catalogues today. Photo: Mabel Kwong

However, this decision is not necessarily an ode to multiculturalism on some levels. The department store’s choice is arguably an image-branding tactic to boost sales amidst an unstable local economy. Also, local media and modeling industry experts have been quick to harp praise on the multicultural-esque decision while forgetting the true essence of diversity.

Continue reading →

Asian Food In Australia: Not Authentic But Still Delicious

Posted on by
4

Asian cuisine is aplenty around the city of Melbourne today. But after eating this cuisine quite a bit here I must say that Asian food in Australia differs considerably from the exact same gastronomic fare in Asia.

A large proportion of Asian food and the Asian eating experience in Australia is arguably unhealthy and often customised to suit Caucasian palates so as to appeal to the Anglo-Saxon population.

Salmon sushi (handroll) is all over Melbourne's CBD, extremely popular with many. But there are other kinds of Japanese food out there too. Photo: Mabel Kwong

Salmon sushi (handroll) is all over Melbourne’s CBD, extremely popular with many. But there are other kinds of Japanese food out there too. Photo: Mabel Kwong

Chinese, Malaysian, Japanese and Indonesian cuisines are a few such cuisines constantly served up here. Some are more popular than others Down Under, but most of them usually do not taste or are presented akin to dishes in the Asian region.

Continue reading →