I'm reading this ABC article about growing up with parents from different cultural backgrounds. It's a piece I can relate to but the thing that stands out to me is the repeated use of 'biracial'.
The concept is clear, but 'biracial' feels a little foreign in an Australian context and lands with the same energy as 'bi-weekly meetings' instead of fortnightly. All feels like the ABC has swapped out their style guide for an American one.
I've grown up with 'mixed heritage', 'multicultural background', and similar (ignoring the others like 'half-caste' and other, shall we say, 'colourful' versions) and 'biracial' just lands differently. And also seems to lean into the American obsession with race and origins.
Anyone else feel like this is out of kilter with the way we usually speak of these things? Is it becoming more standard here? Or is this just another instance of ABC picking up American vocabulary?
Source: EHPXDH
14 Comments
Biracial has been a term forever mate. It’s not a term anyone needs to be worried or upset by
The focus on it is American.
I guess I’m bi-racial then, coming from two seperate cultures.
Half caste never used to be offensive until recently. Biracial is foreign to me (I’m from the bush)
Better than mulatto lol I have been asked that before “Are you a mulatto” not from Spanish speakers btw
American language has been infecting Aus for a while. Elevator vs lift. Mall vs shopping centre. Etc. It feels like what The Other would describe of someone and that aligns with american ways
One of my parents was English and we had to watch The Bill instead of Hey Hey and The Simpson wasn’t allowed due to being American garbage.
And I biracial?
She doesn’t know how easy she’s got it!!!
Try growing up as Scottish, English, Italian, German and white Fijian….idk what to feel…
Yes bicycle, bilingual, bisexual, binoculars,…..
All Americanisms… I call my bike a fortycle!!!
Idiot
I agree with you that it’s unusual to hear or use that term in Australia. We generally use “mixed” or “multi-” terms or ethno-specific slang terms, and people grow up with different experiences than the anecdotes in that ABC article. Australia has a lot of people with more mixtures than just two, and it’s disappointing that the article focusses on “biracial” and does so negatively with an inflammatory headline too.
Are we just getting upset over nothing now
With the growing influence of critical race theory in academia and social services, race is once again becoming a strong focus in Western conversations around social justice. What you are seeing here is probably not just Americanisms but also the influence of Whiteness studies on Australian thinking.
Gotta have a decent life to complain about this dogshit. Just listening to the radio about the NRL Player who got diagnosed with motor neuron disease at 30 and puts a lot of bullshit whinges like this in perspective
“nowhere for me to exist” turn it up, lady. Don’t use your race as an excuse for not having a personality