The beauty of the Board of Studies' definition of discuss is that it makes ambiguous if you are required to "identify issues" on both sides. It says "for and/or against" - thus, you can pick only one side and save yourself the time of writing, essentially, a second essay on the negative/affirmative side.
I recommend you pick the
negative side. Australia, holistically, is no longer based on discriminatory legislation, or a constitution which prohibits others in becoming an Australian. Here is some evidence.
- Parliamentarians such as Pauline Hanson who have demonstrated xenophobia and racism against races and religions has never been voted in Parliament again after she left/was voted out of the Liberal party.
- Just today, the first muslim frontbencher, Ed Husic was derogated on his facebook page for being the first muslim frontbencher. Many have poured out their congratulations and support to him - those who defamed him today were crushed down as a minority by the majority who condemned such attacks.
- Australia hosts many special days throughout the year to acknowledge our early Indigenous and Aboriginal culture, the multicultural success we are today and Australians who have contributed to Australia in many benevolent and courteous ways.
I recommend you refer back to the White Australia policy and how such xenophobia and chauvinism wrecked Australia's opportunity to grow economically, socially and culturally.
Before you write your essay, I
strongly recommend you watch SBS' Immigration Nation. All three of the documentaries, if you are indeed serious about this selective application.
Episode 1:
http://www.sbs.com.au/ondemand/video/11760707658/Immigration-Nation-The-Secret-History-Of-Us
Episode 2:
http://www.sbs.com.au/ondemand/video/11760707669/Immigration-Nation-The-Secret-History-Of-Us
Episode 3:
http://www.sbs.com.au/ondemand/video/11757635851/Immigration-Nation-The-Secret-History-Of-Us
You can continue with saying that many millions of Australians share the common belief that Australia is not an aristocracy based on racism, prejudice and discrimination.
We've had many Australian Prime Ministers who have acknowledged our multicultural success story and both sides of the politician spectrum no longer agree with the polarisation and bigotry our country was all about many years ago. In conjunction with this fact, the digital age has further stepped up our ability to connect with other countries and people.
If you are still finding a hard time deciphering what the question is asking you, I will translate it for you in extremely basic layman terms:
"Australia was first based on laws and politics that supported racism and superiority (this is in reference to the treatment of Indigenous Australians [and other asylum seekers in the 1970's after the Vietnam War - who today, now reside in the western Sydney suburb of Cabramatta]). Australia was the ultimate representation of division and stereotyping. These kind of views are still evident today."
The question reeks of your agreement. Do not infatuate yourself with such a statement.
Obviously we frown upon our disgraceful history of the treatment Indigenous Australians had to endure. The effects still linger today. I recommend you take the negative side - this kind of racism and discrimination no longer exists in Australia today. Of course, some of the more facetious, flippant and supremacist Australians still linger today, but they hold a diminutive portion of our population.
Good luck with your essay/extended response.
