Who are you? Give us an overview of where you from and your ethnicity/heritage?
My name is Elisa Fatou Camara. I am German but have Guinean heritage through my father. Having been brought up Germany, I have never been able to establish a connection to my Guinean roots because my father didn’t participate much in my upbringing. I have yet to visit my other home country – Guinea.
How did you come to Australia or were you born in Australia? Please share your experiences as an immigrant/Afro-Australian?
I came to Australia beginning of 2017 on a working holiday visa. At this point I had already been backpacking for almost two years, mostly in New Zealand, South East Asia and the United States. Although I haven’t permanently immigrated to Australia, Melbourne has been more of a home to me than any other place I have ever lived. The Afro-Australian Community is in my opinion bigger than the Afro-German community in my hometown. Living in Australia has also helped me find my identity a mixed-race woman. It was when I cut off my relaxed hair and finally started embracing my Afro, that I felt like I truly found myself. Australia, and especially Melbourne means personal growth and development to me.
I have never lived in a place as colourful and diverse before. I learned that being different (not looking like the stereotypical person associated with my nationality) isn’t something you should try to hide. I am proud of my African roots, I am proud of my curls and big lips. I will no longer allow people to try and dim my shine.
Name one thing you really passionate about and why?
I am passionate about poetry and songwriting. I have come to the realisation that whenever I write, I am able to fully express my feelings. I generally have issues expressing my deepest emotions but when singing, it simply flows out of me.
Describe a few things you find fascinating about Australia’s multicultural society?
I have mixed feelings about this question. On one hand, Australia is a super diverse country with vast opportunities which in turn makes immigration a lot easier in comparison to other countries. However, Australia’s violent history and the unresolved issues with the indigenous people remain a stumbling block to the country’s progress. I see a country with many issues to work on – racism is still prevalent in rural areas. There is also an issue of ignorance and prejudice amongst the different ethnicities within Australia, but exists in every community.
What does a commitment to diversity/multiculturalism mean to you?
A commitment to diversity means recognising and appreciating the cultural value of every single individual in a society. A diverse society is a rich society in my eyes. We can all learn from each other and discover new ways of dealings with life’s challenges. It is therefore necessary to commit to multiculturalism in order to ensure human progression.
What kinds of experiences have you had in relating with people whose backgrounds are different than your own?
I had the most interesting experiences whilst CouchSurfing in Asia. I learnt the local languages, how to prepare local foods and explored areas that tourists don’t normally visit. I was amazed by how much I was welcomed in these different cultures.
Describe a specific situation in which you worked with a diverse group of people or person over a period of time. What did you learn from this experience?
I worked at a restaurant in Melbourne for quite a while and as far as I know there were no Australians working there at all. We were all foreigners and I loved learning how my colleagues from Mauritius, France and Nepal interacted amongst each other. By meeting these people, I learned new ways of doing things, their culture and customs of their native countries. I am really glad to I’ve been fortunate enough to meet people from all over the world.
What fun and interesting activities/events can we do/hold to aid in bridging the cultural gap thereby creating an inclusive society for all to enjoy?
Change starts with the people! We all have prejudices in some way, but we also have the ability to adapt better habits. Cultural events and music festivals are a good way to mingle. I always feel way more comfortable in a culturally diverse/inclusive society than in a homogenous environment.
Follow Elisa @elliecamara
