Being Black In Australia
Jan 18th 2006, 12:36 am
#16
BE Forum Addict
Joined: Apr 2005
Location: Western burbs, Melbourne
Posts: 2,260
Re: Being Black In Australia
My husband is half Vietnamese and has never encountered problems- in fact people are amazed at his very proper English accent mixed with his Asian look!
However one of my work friends is from South Africa and calls herself 'coloured' (I loathe that expression). She has settled in Geelong- a big town an hour away from Melbourne. She is one of few non-white people in Geelong, and says she does not like it there, as people stare and she has encountered a number of thoughtless, hurtful remarks. I am trying to persuade her to move to Melbourne where I think she would settle amazingly well. In my burb we have Lebanese, Greek, Vietnamese, Somalian, Sudenese, British, and even the odd Australian.
Basically I think in smaller towns (as in UK) people may react less favourably because you are not what they usually encounter, but in the cities (again like UK) no-one bats an eyelid about anything at all.
Go for it- Australia is a great place to live!
However one of my work friends is from South Africa and calls herself 'coloured' (I loathe that expression). She has settled in Geelong- a big town an hour away from Melbourne. She is one of few non-white people in Geelong, and says she does not like it there, as people stare and she has encountered a number of thoughtless, hurtful remarks. I am trying to persuade her to move to Melbourne where I think she would settle amazingly well. In my burb we have Lebanese, Greek, Vietnamese, Somalian, Sudenese, British, and even the odd Australian.
Basically I think in smaller towns (as in UK) people may react less favourably because you are not what they usually encounter, but in the cities (again like UK) no-one bats an eyelid about anything at all.
Go for it- Australia is a great place to live!
Jan 18th 2006, 12:44 am
#17
Proudly Deplorable
Joined: May 2003
Location: Alloha snack bar
Posts: 24,246
Re: Being Black In Australia
Originally Posted by Pomster
My husband is half Vietnamese and has never encountered problems- in fact people are amazed at his very proper English accent mixed with his Asian look!
However one of my work friends is from South Africa and calls herself 'coloured' (I loathe that expression). She has settled in Geelong- a big town an hour away from Melbourne. She is one of few non-white people in Geelong, and says she does not like it there, as people stare and she has encountered a number of thoughtless, hurtful remarks. I am trying to persuade her to move to Melbourne where I think she would settle amazingly well. In my burb we have Lebanese, Greek, Vietnamese, Somalian, Sudenese, British, and even the odd Australian.
Basically I think in smaller towns (as in UK) people may react less favourably because you are not what they usually encounter, but in the cities (again like UK) no-one bats an eyelid about anything at all.
Go for it- Australia is a great place to live!
However one of my work friends is from South Africa and calls herself 'coloured' (I loathe that expression). She has settled in Geelong- a big town an hour away from Melbourne. She is one of few non-white people in Geelong, and says she does not like it there, as people stare and she has encountered a number of thoughtless, hurtful remarks. I am trying to persuade her to move to Melbourne where I think she would settle amazingly well. In my burb we have Lebanese, Greek, Vietnamese, Somalian, Sudenese, British, and even the odd Australian.
Basically I think in smaller towns (as in UK) people may react less favourably because you are not what they usually encounter, but in the cities (again like UK) no-one bats an eyelid about anything at all.
Go for it- Australia is a great place to live!
Jan 18th 2006, 2:18 am
#18
The Godfather
Joined: Feb 2004
Location: South East Suburbs of Melbourne
Posts: 7,336
Re: Being Black In Australia
No problem out here being black but I wouldn't advertise the fact your English. 
Jan 18th 2006, 2:22 am
#19
BE Forum Addict
Joined: Apr 2005
Location: Western burbs, Melbourne
Posts: 2,260
Re: Being Black In Australia
Originally Posted by Bordy
No problem out here being black but I wouldn't advertise the fact your English.
Jan 18th 2006, 2:23 am
#20
The Godfather
Joined: Feb 2004
Location: South East Suburbs of Melbourne
Posts: 7,336
Re: Being Black In Australia
Originally Posted by Pomster
or Scottish, come to that!
Heeyyyyyyyy Less of that you.
Jan 18th 2006, 2:28 am
#21
BE Forum Addict
Joined: Apr 2005
Location: Western burbs, Melbourne
Posts: 2,260
Re: Being Black In Australia
Originally Posted by Bordy
Heeyyyyyyyy Less of that you.
Why- are you Scottish Bordy?
Last edited by Pomster; Jan 18th 2006 at 2:56 am.
Jan 18th 2006, 2:28 am
#22
Nos De Caraid...
Joined: Oct 2005
Location: Melbourne
Posts: 375
Re: Being Black In Australia
Originally Posted by CompressedA
I am black and British and thinking about living and working in Australia. However, I have heard a lot of negative stories about how unwelcoming it can be for people of colour. I would be greatful for people's honest reflections and/or experiences on this matter.
I would love to experience the country but do not want to put myself in any danger.
I would love to experience the country but do not want to put myself in any danger.
LG - Lifes good (here)
Anyways you will be risking if you dont make a move to come here...
(You will not know what you will find here)
- Bart
Jan 18th 2006, 2:33 am
#23
The Godfather
Joined: Feb 2004
Location: South East Suburbs of Melbourne
Posts: 7,336
Re: Being Black In Australia
Originally Posted by Pomster
Why are you Scottish Bordy?
Och aye the noo hen.
Jan 18th 2006, 3:05 am
#24
Ex BE ***** Addict
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 3,770
Re: Being Black In Australia
Originally Posted by CompressedA
I am black and British and thinking about living and working in Australia. However, I have heard a lot of negative stories about how unwelcoming it can be for people of colour. I would be greatful for people's honest reflections and/or experiences on this matter.
I would love to experience the country but do not want to put myself in any danger.
I would love to experience the country but do not want to put myself in any danger.
Jan 18th 2006, 3:22 am
#25
Just Joined
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 13
Re: Being Black In Australia
Originally Posted by CompressedA
I am black and British and thinking about living and working in Australia. However, I have heard a lot of negative stories about how unwelcoming it can be for people of colour. I would be greatful for people's honest reflections and/or experiences on this matter.
I would love to experience the country but do not want to put myself in any danger.
I would love to experience the country but do not want to put myself in any danger.
Try and take it all on the chin. I live in the Eastern suburbs of Sydney, where you can get the occasional comment, like 'what are the likes of you doing in here' etc. They are usually the ignorant louts no different to the ones you find back in the UK. Some of the comments can make you feel like you are in 70s Britain at times. However there seems to be a larger concern about the 'lebos' in this area than anything else. Oh and the term 'wog' is not in anyway considered derogatory over here, it is the term used to describe Southern Europeans, they use it themselves.
Nothing unsurmountable.
Jan 18th 2006, 3:41 am
#26
Nos De Caraid...
Joined: Oct 2005
Location: Melbourne
Posts: 375
Re: Being Black In Australia
Originally Posted by ABOD
Try and take it all on the chin. I live in the Eastern suburbs of Sydney, where you can get the occasional comment, like 'what are the likes of you doing in here' etc. They are usually the ignorant louts no different to the ones you find back in the UK. Some of the comments can make you feel like you are in 70s Britain at times. However there seems to be a larger concern about the 'lebos' in this area than anything else. Oh and the term 'wog' is not in anyway considered derogatory over here, it is the term used to describe Southern Europeans, they use it themselves.
Nothing unsurmountable.
Nothing unsurmountable.
I There's all sort of comments about people who are from different religion, place and things even on Police dept..
And one Ausi Guy who like Labenese girls name Labense Lover makes me laugh...
ok you will see a hording in the movie...
"Police today
nabbing
Labenese"
next times its
"Police today
nabbing
Iraqis"...
Thats really funny..
But Australian's know to just smile at those jokes and dont care about what happened. Some stupid ass shit wherever they go, be it sydney, melb or Africa...
as I told.. you will loose either ways, whats harm in trying
- Bart
Jan 18th 2006, 4:30 am
#27
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 13,233
Re: Being Black In Australia
Originally Posted by BartSimpson
Bloody hell there is a movie called FAT PIZZA made here in Australia.
I There's all sort of comments about people who are from different religion, place and things even on Police dept..
And one Ausi Guy who like Labenese girls name Labense Lover makes me laugh...
ok you will see a hording in the movie...
"Police today
nabbing
Labenese"
next times its
"Police today
nabbing
Iraqis"...
Thats really funny..
But Australian's know to just smile at those jokes and dont care about what happened. Some stupid ass shit wherever they go, be it sydney, melb or Africa...
as I told.. you will loose either ways, whats harm in trying
- Bart
I There's all sort of comments about people who are from different religion, place and things even on Police dept..
And one Ausi Guy who like Labenese girls name Labense Lover makes me laugh...
ok you will see a hording in the movie...
"Police today
nabbing
Labenese"
next times its
"Police today
nabbing
Iraqis"...
Thats really funny..
But Australian's know to just smile at those jokes and dont care about what happened. Some stupid ass shit wherever they go, be it sydney, melb or Africa...
as I told.. you will loose either ways, whats harm in trying
- Bart
Jan 18th 2006, 4:44 am
#28
Nos De Caraid...
Joined: Oct 2005
Location: Melbourne
Posts: 375
Re: Being Black In Australia
Originally Posted by gedge
You've got a way with the words Bart, I'll give you that.
Let me take it as complement from you
- Bart
Jan 18th 2006, 5:13 am
#29
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: Being Black In Australia
Originally Posted by CompressedA
I am black and British and thinking about living and working in Australia. However, I have heard a lot of negative stories about how unwelcoming it can be for people of colour. I would be greatful for people's honest reflections and/or experiences on this matter.
I would love to experience the country but do not want to put myself in any danger.
I would love to experience the country but do not want to put myself in any danger.
Jan 18th 2006, 5:23 am
#30
The Godfather
Joined: Feb 2004
Location: South East Suburbs of Melbourne
Posts: 7,336
Re: Being Black In Australia
Originally Posted by superam74
Hi, This is an excellent post for me. I've always wanted to know the answer to this question, but being white I didn't really know how to ask it. My wife is Jamaican, as is my 15 year old stepson & I also have a 3 year old son who is obviously mixed race .We are moving to Melbourne this year & I would cancel the whole thing if I thought they were going to get any 'different' treatment from me in Australia. I would love to add more to this post but I'm late for work. regards ,Pete.
She will be made very welcome in Melbourne.