What is an Australian?

How do you define an Australian? Two hundred years ago it was someone of Indigenous decent. Twenty years ago it was someone with Caucasian features and at least one generation born in Australia. What is an Australian today?

Despite being born in Australia, I was never treated as one while growing up. It was never openly displayed like name calling, it was always the subtle things. The room goes that little bit quieter when I walk in. People talk to me that little bit slower. Everyone sits just that little bit further away from me. When people asked me what my nationality was, I would say I’m Vietnamese.

Today I look around and I see many mixed couples. I hear people of all backgrounds speak in flawless English. I walk through the streets of Melbourne and smell the aromas of cuisines from all over the world. I work in an office filled with people of all different ethnicities. I see a culturally diverse society. I see a country of opportunity. I see an open minded people. When people ask me what my nationality is, I say I’m Australian.