Australia has a long history of immigration, with waves of migrants coming to its shores over the centuries. The question of what it means for migrants to ‘belong’ in Australia is complex and multifaceted, as it involves issues of cultural identity, social inclusion, and economic opportunity. In this assessment, we will explore this question by analyzing data collected from the Immigration Museum in Melbourne, specifically the exhibition ‘Identity: yours, mine, ours.’ We will use this data to consider the experiences and sense of belonging of migrants to Australia, drawing on relevant concepts and theories from the literature.
Data Collection and Findings
The ‘Identity: yours, mine, ours’ exhibition at the Immigration Museum features a range of exhibits and displays exploring the experiences of migrants in Australia. One particularly striking exhibit is the story of the Ceresoli brothers, Italian migrants who came to Australia in the 1950s. The exhibit includes a series of photographs and personal belongings of the brothers and an audio recording of their recollections of their experiences. Through their story, we can gain insights into the challenges and opportunities faced by migrants in Australia. Also, the Ceresoli brothers’ story highlights some of the difficulty’s migrants faced in Australia, particularly in the early years after their arrival (Lentin, 2011). They struggled to adapt to the language and culture and experienced discrimination and racism from some Australians. However, they also found a sense of community and belonging through their work and social activities and eventually built successful lives in their adopted country (Sharples and Blair, 2021). Another exhibit in the exhibition is ‘Forget the Stereotypes,’ which challenges common stereotypes and misconceptions about migrants in Australia. The exhibit features a range of photographs and quotes from migrants, highlighting the diversity of experiences and identities among this group (Ikafa et al., 2022). Many quotes emphasize the importance of cultural identity and connection to their country of origin while acknowledging Australia’s opportunities and freedoms. Hire Professional Essay Writers
Moreover, belongingness is the connection to a particular place, community, or group. It is an essential human need, and migrants who move to a new country often struggle to establish a sense of belongingness (Udah, 2019). The exhibition ‘Identity: yours, mine, ours’ at the Immigration Museum explores various aspects of migration and belongingness. It showcases the stories of migrants worldwide, highlighting their experiences, challenges, and achievements in Australia (Moreton-Robinson, 2020). In addition, The Ceresoli Brothers, two Italian migrants who moved to Australia in the 1950s, is an example of the struggles faced by migrants in establishing belongingness in Australia. The brothers came to Australia as unskilled workers and found adjusting to the new country’s cultural and linguistic differences difficult (Huttunen, 2005). They faced discrimination and had limited social interactions. However, they persisted and eventually established themselves in Australia by learning the language, developing new skills, and embracing the culture (Robertson, 2021). Their story highlights the importance of resilience and perseverance in establishing a sense of belongingness. The exhibition also includes an interactive display called ‘Forget the Stereotypes,’ which challenges common stereotypes and misconceptions about migrants (Tankosić, 2020). This display highlights the diverse backgrounds of migrants in Australia and emphasizes the importance of acceptance and inclusion. It encourages visitors to question their biases and assumptions and promotes the idea that everyone has the right to belong, regardless of their background. (Order for Homework Help)
The theory of social identity is critical because it implies that individuals get their sense of belonging from a particular social group. In this case, the aspects of migrants regarding identity is influenced by cultural norms, background, and place of origin. The primary assumption from the theory is that identity is an outcome that can be formed by individuals through cultural involvement, which translates to a strong sense of belongingness (Leong et al., 2020). Ceresoli Brothers’ model has claims that are aligned with the theory due to the approach used to assimilate various groups into the Australian culture and make the environment conducive for them. Another theory that can be used for this case is the self-categorization framework, which examines the various approaches used by people to group themselves into social entities from the prevailing common aspects and major areas of variation (Lentin, 2011). The group formed by the migrants can develop a unique perception of belongingness in a case where the population in their immediate environment shares similar norms, beliefs, and other social identity inclinations. People can overlook the stereotypes and use social integration to adjust to the new environment, increasing their adaptability.
