HYDE ISSUE 2 2019
CULTURAL DIVERSITY
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Victoria University Student Union and Hyde acknowledges the Ancestors, Elders and families of the Boonwurrung, Woiwurrung (Wurundjeri) and Wathaurung (Wadawurrung) on our Melbourne campuses and the Gadigal and Guring-gai people of the Eaora Nation on our Sydney campus. These groups are the custodians of the University land and have been for many centuries. As we share our own knowledge practices within the University, may we pay respect to the deep knowledge embedded within the Aboriginal community and ownership of Country. We acknowledge that the land on which our campuses stand is the place of age of ceremonies and celebration, initiation and renewal. The Kulin and Eora people's living culture had, and has, a unique role in the life of these regions. Victoria University supports the aim of Reconciliation Australia to build better relationships between the wider Australian community and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people for the benefit of all Australians. It is important that staff, students, and visitors understand and respect the significance of recognising the traditional owners of University land.
LETTER FROM THE EDITOR As an individual who grew up in a different country and a different culture, this issue makes me ecstatic. It is so amazing to see the different perspectives of students on the topic of Cultural Diversity. While I was reading the submissions, it made me realize one thing. That in spite of having our unique differences, we are all still the same. Yes, we all live in different countries, but let us not forget that all of us are living in the same world. That is why we should respect each other and treat everyone equally. If you came from the different side of the world and you are currently reading this, the only thing that I would say to you is don't forget where you belong. Don't forget your roots because that is one of the things that shaped you into the person that you are right now.
Mariestella De Leon Editor-in-Chief
CONTENTS PAGE ONE
ISA TALKS ABOUT DIVERSITY Swechhya (Susie) Ghale
PAGE TWO
CULTURAL DIVERSITY IN VICTORIA UNIVERSITY Shashwat Garg
PAGE FIVE
VICTORIA UNIVERSITY: A DEDICATED CULTURAL DIVERSITY STRATEGY
PAGE TEN
A HUNDRED FACES April Joy Gaqut
PAGE ELEVEN
BREAKING NORMS
PAGE SIXTEEN SERENITY Due
PAGE SEVENTEEN
UNITY
Mariestella De Leon
PAGE NINETEEN ETHNICITY CALLING Joshua Caotoni
Nimra Verka
PAGE TWENTY-THREE
PAGE FIFTEEN
ILLUSTRATION BY YSA
AN AMAZING MULTICULTURAL WEEK EXPERIENCE Ningli Ke
PAGE THIRTY-SEVEN
A FAMILIAR STORY April Joy Gaqut
PAGE FORTY
VU MULTICULTURAL STORIES
PAGE TWENTY-FIVE
Pragya Kapil
PAGE TWENTY-SEVEN
YESTERDAY
SHADOWS
PAGE FORTY-THREE
A PERFECT DAY IN THE LIFE OF AN INTROVERT Samriddhi Bansai
PAGE THIRTY-TWO
SEEKING EDUCATION AND A PACE IN THE COMMUNITY: AN INTERNATIONAL STUDENT PERSPECTIVE Sharad Shrestha
PAGE THIRTY-THREE SETTING SAIL Sofia
Tinepay
PAGE FORTY-FOUR
ILLUSTRATION BY YSA
PAGE FORTY-FIVE
WE ARE ALL DIFFERENT Catherine Pulsifer
PAGE FORTY-SEVEN
DE-STRESS COLOURING & CROSSWORD
PAGE ONE | ISSUE 2 2019
ISA talks about diversity “Culture” simply defined is a way
That statement could not be more
of life and learning about cultures
true. Just a short walk from the bus
different from our own allows us to
stop
see and understand the world
campus to the library can sometimes
from a different perspective and
feel like talking a stroll around the
grow
fact,
world when you bump into your group
encourages
assignment partners from China or
love
when
as
Cultural
individuals. Diversity
acknowledgement,
In
and
outside
your
the
Footscray
buddy
from
Park
Pakistan
respect.
waves at you from a distance.
According to Prateek Shrestha, “at
Every day you meet someone who has
Victoria University, we share the
something
same values of admiration and
you. Maybe it is fascinating Hindi
respect
even
word your friend uses that you’re
though we all come from different
completely unfamiliar with. Maybe it is
backgrounds.
a brightly coloured candy that gives
for
one
another
I
international representation
love
the student
here.
And
what
better place to start learning about the varying cultures than at your own university?”
new
to
share
with
you a spicy kick all the way from Mexico. Or maybe it is a fun fact you learned during a workshop about where
Budweiser
originated
Missouri by the way). Swechhya Ghale Susie)
from
PAGE TWO | ISSUE 2 2019
Cultural Diversity at Victoria University When a group of different ethical or cultural people come together is what cultural diversity is all about. At Victoria University, we believe in embracing people from different backgrounds. As the cultural diversity officer at VUSU, I believe in enriching the life of our students from different cultures to help them feel at home. To accomplish this, I try to help students by celebrating all kinds of festivals and welcome them to Victoria University. Being from a different ethnic background, I understand how difficult it is to adjust to a new environment. I would love to help others the same way Victoria University has helped me to adjust to this environment. Cultural diversity is what makes our university a richer and interesting place to live and thus, it makes us stronger and helps us to compete in the new global economy. We appreciate people from different cultures as it brings an entire new way of thinking and very innovative solutions to difficult problems. Just think how boring life will be without diversity and I thank Victoria University for being one of the most culturally diverse universities in Australia.
Shashwat Garg 2019 VUSU Cultural Diversity OfficerÂ
H o l i
F e s t i v a l
2 0 1 9
PAGE SIX | ISSUE 2 2019
Victoria University
A dedicated Cultural Diversity Strategy Victoria University takes pride in its cultural diversity. We have a strong tradition of providing outstanding opportunities to students from diverse backgrounds and contributing to its local communities. Let’s face it – we all have a cultural background. What is particularly significant is how this cultural background provides us with a sense of identity and how we relate to the world. This might be evidenced through how we interpret readings, interact (or not) with peers, experience travel, eat, relax, interpret our sense of gender, position in the world, create aspirations for our future etc. The Cultural Diversity Strategy (2018-2021) is innovative and takes a whole of University approach to ensuring a connected way of working and learning together. The Strategy is part of VU’s moral purpose of to provide outstanding opportunities to any student from any background and to uplift the communities in which we operate, most especially the west of Melbourne”. There are four main aims that reflect all the activities of the University. VU has a strong commitment to working with its students and staff to: Enrich the understandings of how we come together to learn and work as valued members of the VU community, to learn about each other’s diversity – and our humanity.
Connect as a VU community to ensure respectful and informed relationships are formed that lead to deeper understandings, innovative and progressive thinking and uplift every member of the VU community. Celebrate each other’s rich cultural background in the spirit of shared humanity. How do we see the Cultural Diversity Strategy in action? Implementing the strategy is done through every aspect of the VU experience: learning in the classroom, programs of events on campus and off campus, resources available, facilities made available, and programs that make up the VU experience. To keep up to date you may wish to join the Cultural Diversity Special Interest Group. Cultural.diversity@vu.edu.au For more information go to: https://www.vu.edu.au/sites/default/fil es/cultural-diversity-strategy-20182021.pdf
PAGE SEVEN | ISSUE 2 2019
I-LEAP (Intercultural Awareness Training for VU Students) VU Cultural Diversity is piloting an innovative intercultural awareness training program for students at VU. The program has attracted students from lots of different cultural backgrounds, areas of study, ages, gender identities and with big hearts! We have teamed up with the Brotherhood of St. Laurence to develop something very special. The aim of the program is to develop the intercultural understandings and skills that are needed to to be leaders in our community and in the workplace. Teamwork, communication and growth mindsets are all skills of the future. They all depend on how we interact with the world around us. Through the program the participants explore aspects of what culture is all about, how it is expressed, how it influences how we relate to each other and the way we go about in the world. We move from culture to intercultural. Participants relate the learnings to what they are studying eg. health (body language and demonstrating empathy), business (developing a client relationship). We bust myths, question wicked problems, explore issues, share stories, break up stereotypes, challenge ourselves, grow our mindsets and have a lot of fun. The group activities provide the opportunity to create resources that will be shared at the University – made by VU students, for VU students. Interested in learning more: cultural.diversity@vu.edu.au
Myth no. 1 Cultural Diversity is for students who don't speak english The secret is out - we all have a cultural background. How do you express yourself/share yours?
Why is intercultural awareness important for students? Helps you get out of the 'my way is the only way' mentality that can hinder a growth mindset leading to inoovative ideas Helps you look past sterotypes to really understand people (commonalities, not just differences) Improves your ability to communicate and work effectively with teams representing people from different cultures Assists you in developing emotional intelligence about who you are and who is in your world - and who isn't, but should be (e.g. classroom, workplace, on public transport, in the media, etc) Helps you become comfortable with different ways, perspectives, ideas Provides you with a mirror to view yourself and what makes up your own culture and sense of culture that you carry around with you in the world (Want to learn more? Join the Cultural Diversity Special Interest Group or Student Cultural Diversity Network Cultural.diversity@vu.edu.au
Quick Quiz: How intercultural are you? I feel comfortable meeting groups of people from different cultural backgrounds to myself
Sometimes I feel a little stressed in settings where there are lots of people from other cultures
I am curious and seet out information on different cultures
When I use public transport I tend to stand/sit with people of similar cultural backgrounds to myself
I can identify when sterotyping occurs
I don't communicate well with student peers with different cultural backgrounds
I don't tend to use humour that might be percieved as disctiminatory or racist
I don't tend to like doing group work with students who are of a different cultual background to myself
Scoring: Grey: Most of the time = -4/ Sometimes= -3/ Unsure = 0/ At times= -2 Never = 1 Orange: Most of the time = 4/ Sometimes= 3 / Unsure = 0/ At times= 2 Never = -1
If you scored between 12 -16 on the orange items, you have seem to have a good sense of intercultural awareness. The next step is to apply that awareness, through every day actions or get involved in activities across the University that help develop an inclusive and progressive intercultural ecosystem for all. If you scored between 12 -16 on the grey items, there is room for improvement. The next step is to reflect on what makes you nervous? What are the gaps in your understandings? How might you expand your view of the world to ensure that you are ready to be part of the more globalised world around you? There are many activities across the University that will help you develop your understandings and readiness. Ask your lecturer about how taking an intercultural view actually improves your potential as a graduate in your field. Developed by Dr. Teresa De Fazio, Manager, Cultural Diversity
PAGE TEN | ISSUE 2 2019
Hundred Faces Are they The different ones? Or is it you Who are the not the same? They walk among us But you also walk among them Same soil Of one earth So, whose feet has the right To trudge and trample? Whose eyes do you use to see Whose skin do you expose What universe made you judge Of who is human Or less Or not A garden hasn’t only one rose To bloom A nation should be, too Not one that stood above the rest But a nation with a hundred faces. - April Joy Gaquit
PAGE ELEVEN | ISSUE 2 2019
Breaking Norms Being a VU student of Pakistani background means that my journey to this institution is perhaps marked with more hurdles related to breaking norms and traditions than any of my fellows. I belong to a very conservative family who take their values very seriously. Deeply ingrained social norms, and relatives who religiously obey it, back home dictate that a girl is supposed to be married off as soon as possible and that sending her abroad for higher studies equates to wasting money. My father, who is although a well-educated man with an open mind, didn’t allow me to pursue a master’s degree even out of the city because of family pressure. It was then that my elder brother took a stand for me and convinced my father to support me. And that’s how I became the first woman in my family to travel out of Pakistan for studies. The role of my brother has been nothing short of phenomenal in my life; he stood by me, guided me in my studies, and sculptured a strong woman out of me, all the while facing disapproving relatives and a social construct which dictates Pakistani men limit their sisters’ freedom instead of encouraging them. My younger brother, on the other hand, was not very appreciative, but his positive criticism only made me work harder.
Looking back at everything, one of my biggest accomplishments is the example I have set in my family which has made it possible for my female cousins to have a chance at higher studies instead of being married off. Another achievement is the pride of my father in me and seeing him happily boast about his daughter’s accomplishments in front of his peers. Today, my family supports me in accomplishing the goals I have set for myself. It wouldn’t be wrong to say that my father and my brothers, have played a major role in defining who I am today, and who I will be. As much as I love my homeland and its culture, I can’t help but feel relieved taking in the breath of fresh air that is Australian culture for me. People, both in VU and outside of it, have been very welcoming and I have found myself being more expressive than ever. The freedom of speech here has helped me connect to and own my cultural identity better. Also, back in my homeland, I had to convince a lot of people before I could get to do something for myself. Here, in general, people understand and respect my choices and let me be. I have been unapologetically myself, both as a woman and as a person, and it has been refreshing.
Nimra Verka
ILLUSTRATION BY YSA
PAGE FIFTEEN | ISSUE 2 2019
PAGE SIXTEEN | ISSUE 2 2019
SERENITY Everywhere I go I search for serenity However, it seems so hard to find. Every day as I read the newspapers War, violence, and confusion come into mind. I often wonder how we could achieve The peace we’ve dreamt of for so long. I believe HOPE lies within our hands Our plea for serenity is an undying song. As I Pray for peace of mind To calm my secret doubts and fears Courage – only then I would find To keep me going through the years. Now, I worry not much about tomorrow And I just try to face each new day. Prayer, indeed, brings forth serenity Knowing that He always guides me on my way.
Due
UNITY WE'RE ALL IN THIS TOGETHER
ARTWORK BY MARIESTELLA DE LEON
PAGE EIGHTEEN | ISSUE 2 2019
'Unity'
- noun
The state of being united or joined as a whole
' "Unity is strength.... when there is teamwork and collaboration, wonderful things can be achieved." - Mattie J. T. Stepanek
PAGE NINETEEN | ISSUE 2 2019
Ethnicity Calling My nationality says Australian, my Ethnicity say Filipino. My Australian side isn't alien, my Filipino side is unknown. My younger side tasted party pies, potato cakes and Tim Tams galore. I thank my parents for feeding me Filipino food I don't know the name of at home I fluently speak English and my handwriting is cursive. I try speaking Tagalog, but my pronunciation sounds like a circus I liked participating in AFL, Cricket and Athletics in my youth. I wasn't that stereotyped Filipino kid that did boxing, tennis, or basketball to tell you the truth I have immersed myself in Australia and I enjoy the culture. Point something to me in the Philippines and I won't know any figures, art, or sculpture. Sometimes I don't feel like a Filipino, yet my phenotype will digress. I have the genetic expression of a Filipino, but not the geography and cultural access. I probably went to the Philippines twice or thrice when I was young, but only for a few weeks. I haven't been there for ages, and the cultural experience is what I seek
I thank my parents for speaking to me in Filipino at home while I reply in English I thank them for the Filipino and the songs to which I listen. I'm glad they made it feel like the Philippines in the household, but why do? I feel like it's not enough? I am part of a few Filipino groups in the community and in university. I’ve tried to foster my Philippine culture in Australia and reach out to VU Cultural Diversity. Trying to find my Philippine culture in Australia, amongst the cultural diversity Yet I still feel that connection with the land, the cultural experience, and people; and now I have urgency I have been longing to feel a sense of belonging with my ethnicity. I have this strong feeling to go to the Philippines and its snowballing. I will say to you now with firm veracity, it's time to stop stalling, my ethnicity is calling.
Joshua Caotoni
PAGE TWENTY-THREE | ISSUE 2 2019
My
Amazing
Week
Multicultural
Experience
We all live in a global village where people come from different cultural backgrounds. For smooth communications in the world, it is necessary to learn more about the different knowledge that various cultures embody. I was lucky enough to have such a chance to come into contact with so many people of different multicultural backgrounds at VU during the Multicultural Week celebration in August. Early at 10:30 am, outside building P, I observed that there were some people busy engaged in something unique. First, I was amazed to note that two young guys were steaming Chinese Bao Bao (steamed buns). Some people were queuing, waiting for the free Bao Bao.
Bao Bao is a popular Chinese food in both North and South of China. Then I noticed some young men of Muslim faith and various backgrounds were busy making the BBQ and there were was another queue for the fresh delicious-looking food there. I have never tried anything Muslim before so I joined the queue and was handed some BBQ chicken and a ball-like food on a tray. I tried the food and felt that I have never tasted something like this before. What an exciting new experience. Walking around, I found a large group of young people gathered hand-in-hand in a ring around a bonfire like big wood from which heavy smoke and some sparks were coming out. What was it? I wondered.
Coming close, I discovered that an Indigenous gentleman was demonstrating how to make fire by using different dry grasses and leaves. How interesting it is to know about the ancient history and ways of Australian Aboriginals and how they pass down their knowledge. When I came into Building P, I was even more excited to see that some young volunteers were busy preparing something on the tables. From the items, I could tell that they were objects symbolizing multicultural backgrounds. My friend Tina was there as well. She was preparing some photos with Chinese friends. These were a Chinese painting made by her and a Chinese calligraphy with Chinese characters. On the next table, things were representing Japanese culture. And there were things typical of various Muslim cultures on other tables.
On the wall, there was a huge map of the world. Everywhere I go, I could see, taste, hear and feel things from different cultures. This is indeed an unforgettable multicultural experience. It is only at VU that I had such an opportunity to experience all this richness. The VU multicultural experience is such a reflection of Australian Multicultural society – and for me coming to Australia – this was simply amazing. In society, only open-mindedness and mutual understanding will create a harmonious society. This is what I learnt from multicultural week. Ningli Ke
PAGE TWENTY-FIVE | ISSUE 2 2019
Shadows We have different histories We come from different back grounds But if you were to look down at the ground with the sun shining down, what would you see? I stand next to my best friend who comes from a different country, has a different shade of skin to me and what I see is a shadow Other than having a different shape, our shadows are alike We all tend to forget that we are equal Maybe we do have different skin colours, or have a different cultural belief but we are the same Shadows don’t lie Anon
PAGE TWENTY-SEVEN | ISSUE 2 2019
A Perfect Day in the Life of an Introvert
When I wake up, I have no idea that my head will hit the pillow at midnight with a grin so wide, one can count my teeth! It’s late and the sun is shining through the blinds right into my eyes. I am disoriented from the dream I had about a man in a cave, trying to talk directly to me. I had his words in my head when I opened my eyes. But the moment I get up to make my bed, I realize I have no recollection of his message. I shove the thought to a side of my mind and decide to start with my day. I want to do everything today. I want to plan my meal for the whole day and then cook it (or cook something entirely different). Then I want to do laundry. After that I want to go to the market and get the groceries for this week until the laundry is done. Before laying the clothes to dry out in the backyard, I want to clean up my room. After chores, I want to sit and do some work done before I start cooking lunch. I have been at work on the laptop (sincerely) for the past couple of hours and I am happy with the progress. I have replied to all the emails and decluttered the hard drive within twenty minutes. Suddenly, I stop everything and look up: to find an empty house. There is no one. It’s just me. No conversation, no judgments, no small talk, not even a forced smile. I realize that I want to be by myself till I start feeling that familiar pinch of loneliness again. And then I want to pull myself out of it by looking up creative stuff online or roaming around the city. I want to be so far away from everyone that I cannot be reached by a simple text or a phone call. I want to put good Instagram stories just for myself, for the pure joy putting pictures to make people happy. To make myself happy.
When I am done cooking and eating, suddenly I feel the urge to get ready, pack a bag and take the next train to… somewhere. I haven’t decided where I want to go yet. Just as I am about to take the keys and leave, I look at the warmth of the afternoon outside and the neighbor’s lilies, they are white and purple. I see people coming out of the church, but the streets are mostly empty because it’s Sunday and most people are enjoying time with their families. The train station is 6 minutes away, but I make it a 15-minute walk by taking the long route and watching people. A little girl is happily carrying her bag of candy and her dog is trying to snatch it from her. The lady with grocery bag turns to the girl and asks her to take one candy bar and keep the rest in their car. She is sad, but she listens to the lady. You see, if I had taken the shorter route, I would have missed the story of this little girl. When I reach the station eventually, the train is 4 minutes away. I have decided to go to the beach. It takes me one hour and twenty-two minutes to reach there by train and tram ride. As I step off the tram, I am standing on the road that looks at the beach and the giant wheel on the shore. There are so many people, children and dogs. I find a (not so) quiet corner and sit on my mat. Even here, it’s just me and my thoughts. I spend all day thinking about the week I had. And I know, when I reach home tonight, I will be smiling ear to ear.
Samriddhi Bansal
Africa
Day
2019
PAGE THIRTY-TWO | ISSUE 2 2019
Seeking education and a place in the community: An international student perspective
As an international student, the first thing we look for is a sense of belonging in a foreign country. The fear of being alone and later getting a chance to connect, I started my journey as an undergraduate student at Victoria University. VU has helped me find my place in this ocean of cultures. VU has been successful in proving to me that VU is not merely an education provider but a culturally diverse and aware organisation. Before starting my course at VU, I was worried that I might be all alone. However, at my very first event, the beach day out to Williamstown beach, for international students, I saw many students who were as lost as I felt at this event. We were all new and worried foreign students, on that day, however, I got a chance to meet many students, amongst whom a student from Hong Kong who has now become my very good friend. On that day I realised that I not only have the opportunity to study at VU but to get deeply and well connected with various parts of the world through the many students I met. Following the experience, I gained that day, I started getting more involved in events organised at VU not just for a specific group but for the entire community consisting of many culturally diverse individuals. And when I started volunteering, I meet a lot of students from different cultural backgrounds all speaking different languages, I had groups where none spoke had the same first language, representing various backgrounds. It was incredible.
At events like VU’s Multicultural Week, Diwali, etc. students from not only one background attend the events. Culturally diverse students all come together and dance to the same song, even if sung in a completely different language!! The most interesting thing I witnessed was, that all the students are together singing and enjoying the song as if it’s their own. I believe, this gives all the students a wonderful opportunity to mix with others and learn about completely different communities. During the events, I have seen students registering for various cultural educating programs to learn and understand how we can unite as people representing different cultural backgrounds. These programs will help the interested students become more involved – develop awareness and grow to work with people from different cultures, without even thinking about it. Being at a University is not just about all being together in a classroom - it is a great opportunity to build community, develop relationships and connect with our new VU community. Like any other universities, VU does provide you with a degree but alongside the degree, students feel there is equal opportunity to gain knowledge and get involved with the diverse VU community. Sharad Shrestha
PAGE THIRTY-THREE | ISSUE 2 2019
Setting Sail Set sail for rough seas with great faith And stay anchored to what you believe. For even when giant waves may come crashing You’ll never feel panic upon your sleeve. Under the sun’s scorching heat you’ll thirst Hopelessness, pain and doubt may set in, too. But, chin up for there’s a paradise not far off Just waiting to be discovered by you. Look up the skies when the night’s cold and dark For the stars will be there as your guiding light. Never feat the harsh strong winds you’ll meet. They’re just passing and will soon be out of sight. Sail, sail on and conquer the vast ocean of possibilities But, to forget to look back – don’t you ever do. No matter how far you’ll wander off into the sea, There’ll always be someone waiting home for you. Sofia
PAGE THIRTY-SEVEN | ISSUE 2 2019
A Familiar Story Told in a slightly different way... Once upon a time in a kingdom far away, there lived a little girl, but she will die obscurely somewhere in this story so let us not talk about her. For the sake of this common tale, let us say the kingdom is called Auschijaphilkolandia. The name is longer than this but, hey, pi is 3.14. Auschijaphilkolandia is a peaceful kingdom despite being made up of several clans. Perhaps this was because of their wise king, but more because Auschijaphilkolandians kept their noses on their businesses. Diversity was celebrated and there was harmony and peace everywhere. No one insisted on being the best and no one made fun of the different. But like other common stories, a wise king is always old or dying and in need of someone worthy to take over the throne. With the lack of sword to pull from a slab of stone or a hammer that can smash anything, the king decided to hold a tournament to find the rightful heir to a chair that most people would call throne to make it sound sophisticated when it is just a chair made of rusty old swords. Each clan would send a representative to the tournament. The tournament would test a warrior’s brute strength, infinite wisdom and the ability to work with others. After preliminary examinations, including a clean medical record, and after passing their curriculum vitae, the competitors were determined. The tournament began.
Somewhere in Auschijaphilkolandia, evil lies. Of course, any common story would have this. This evil is in person of a fairy godmother, her name is Benigna, and her team of lame superheroes in skimpy costumes. Benigna, of course, wanted to become queen, so she planned to spoil the tournament and take the throne for herself. After collecting some sparkly stones and some dragon balls, Benigna and her heroic goons caught a train to the tournament hall. The hall was packed with many people that if you release a virus strain, there will be many casualties for sure. But Benigna’s plan is more wicked than this. Benigna stood proud and tall amidst a sea of people. She declared in a loud voice, “I am Benigna”. But no one paid attention to her. Everyone was paying attention to the contest, the tournament had already reached the rock, paper and scissors competition. Benigna was offended by this and the dark desire within her grew even more. She snapped her fingers and a spell was cast over the Auschijaphilkolandians. Pandemonium set in. The king suddenly stood up and declared that all short people will be exiled. The queen also whispered to the king to include people who eat rice because rice makes her fat. This caused an outrage among short people who walked out of the hall and vowed revenge on this stupid decree. The fair-skinned clans also began mocking the dark people.
There was a horrific exchange of name-calling. Everyone claimed how superior they are and why should everyone else go away and do something to themselves, aptly in a word that is not appropriate to write here. Everyone accused each other of heinous crimes. The social media was filled with fake posts and hate comments. The only clan who thrived in this was the trolls. Belinda cackled with delighted laughter. The kingdom disintegrated before her very eyes and now it is her time to shine. She will oust the current monarchy and reign all over Auschijaphilkolandia and impose a superior race. Now, common stories would have a hero to save the day. A hero who would take a perilous journey with a fellowship to find a ring that would lift the curse off the people. But not in this story. Chaos ruled. Benigna became queen but she was beheaded eventually because it was found out that she was practicing a different religion. War broke out and several political leaders were assassinated. The once peaceful kingdom of Auschijaphilkolandia became a taboo land for outsiders. Travelers avoided the route passing through this kingdom, saying it was bad luck. Following the premise that time heals everything, some form of order developed after a long time. But it was never the same again. Auschijaphilkolandia was forever divided. Legend has it that it was never actually Benigna or the spell that destroyed Auschijaphilkolandia. It was something far deeper that took root in all people’s hearts that day. Now this story is too familiar, some might even call it clichÊ. But what is not known to all is its ending. Because the ending is not written yet. April Joy Gaquit
PAGE FORTY | ISSUE 2 2019
VU MULTICULTURAL STORIES
My trip from India to Australia to study at Victoria University was my first international trip and I must admit things have only looked brighter from there. As a former teaching fellow from the lanes of old Delhi, I wore a suit with a scarf, matching earrings and a bindi every day for the two years I taught grades 3 and 4. For me the biggest change consciously/unconsciously was not wanting to wear my ethnic clothes that I loved and felt deep pride in. I remember bringing three pairs of salwar suits, two sarees, and some kurtas on my first trip. I only wore them twice that year, once at home and once at the Diwali celebration in the University. Eventually, I decided to take them back home. Of all my favourite things that define my nationally, my love for my country, my spiritual and religious beliefs, the traditions that have shaped my thinking and values, I love the ‘bindi’. I would match the colour with my outfit but mostly loved the red ‘bindi’. Bindi comes from the Sanskrit word ‘Bindu’ which means a drop, dot or a small particle.
According to Hindu beliefs, the spot on the forehead between the eyebrows is an important nerve point known as chakra, which is a major nexus of spiritual, psychic and bodily forces in the human body.It is believed that the bindi retains the energy of the body. Originally married women would wear a bindi but now, anyone who wishes to does. I recall bringing a bunch of colourful bindis on my trip to Melbourne, I took most of the ethnic wear back but could never muster the courage to give away or take my bindis back home. My stay at Victoria University, first as an international student, and now as a full-time staff member, as made me more appreciative of my culture and traditions. I have always found my colleagues and friends curious to know about my country and have welcomed the celebration of important and significant festivals. I am organising a Diwali lunch for the team in late October and plan to share the stories and traditions with them over sweet and savoury treats. At this moment, as I sit down to share my cultural diversity story I realise how much I have missed wearing my bindi. In these changing times through my work world, I often struggle to define where home is, but through this simple act of wearing my bindi, I feel like my heart and soul are home. - Pragya Kapil
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Yesterday The days have gone by so very fast Not a single moment could ever last But the memories are fresh in my mind Of yesterday – that I’ve left behind. Every laugh, tear, success and fall All these I would somehow recall And whenever yesterday seemed so bright I’d think about it today – with much delight! Old friends and the places I’ve gone to see They all have become a part of me And even the clouds that have disappeared from the sky All are part of a yesterday that has gone by. Looking back, I have come to realize That success is not measured by its size The mere act of trying is what would really matter For yesterday is a test of one’s faith and character. The best way to learn is from experience What yesterday taught me – makes a big difference! And though tomorrow I may face hail and thunder I fear not for yesterday has made me stronger. Though trials and problems have gone my way I have but one last thing left to say I am forever grateful to yesterday For it has made me what I am – TODAY! Tinapay
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ILLUSTRATION BY YSA
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“We are all different, which is great because we are all unique. Without diversity, life would be very boring.” — Catherine Pulsifer
STRESS LESS
Try colouring in to de-stress or maybe procrastinate...
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CROSSWORD
Victoria University
STUDENT UNION