In a time when vitriolic debates about migration and multiculturalism are in the headlines, hundreds of people in Launceston showed their support for people from all cultures on Saturday.
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Wrapping up Harmony Week celebrations, the weather didn’t cow the crowds at Prince’s Square who came to experience the food, performances and culture of people from across the world at a community event.
“We are just delighted with the attendance today, despite the weather threatening, it’s been a fantastic event,” Migrant Resource Centre chief executive Ella Dixon said.
“I think events like this show you the benefits of migration and a diverse population. It is unfortunate that the coverage is always negative about migration and I think an event like this provides the forum to disprove that.”
Roksar Hussain from Northern Iraq believes Tasmania is progressing as an inclusive and diverse state, but there is still a way to go.
“I got here 12 years ago and I was in Devonport and that was a lot harder than it is now,” she said.
“I think we’ve got a lot more ethnicities and inclusiveness and diversity happening, but we’ve still got a long way to go, like in the workplace, in schools people still get discriminated against and it’s still not easy on a day to day basis.
“People who are in leadership and trying to divide and spread hate - that needs to be put to a stop.”
Despite this, she said the positive experiences do outweigh the bad.
Sital Chhetri from Nepal was delighted to be able to share part of her culture at the celebrations.
“It’s really overwhelming to be celebrating this day actually because we will get to celebrate not only our culture but also the other peoples culture, we will get to know what their culture really means,” she said.
She asks people to be understanding of people from other cultures.
“I would just like to tell the people who are not sure about what other cultures mean to them, don’t say bad words because you never know how important their culture is to them,” she said.
The impact of 18C
Harmony Week celebrations were overshadowed this year by an announcement on Harmony Day the federal government is proposing changes to the racial discrimination act, 18C.
“I think we need to be asking ourselves what sport of society we want to be,” Migrant Resource Centre chief executive Ella Dixon said.
“While freedom of speech is great, freedom from racial discrimination is also really important.”
Iranian migrant Amir Khankeshipour thinks the changes could bring increased hostility.
“It’s the worst thing that I can hear from a politician actually,” he said.
“We are living in a culturally diverse country .. it is commonsense that we have to be careful about what we’re saying to other people, we shouldnt be offensive to other people.
“If they change the law and take out those words from 18C it would be devastating for Australia, all people here deserve to have a peaceful life.”
Mr Khankeshipour wants to see the inclusive message of Harmony Day realised every day.