Cirrus@Austlit

'In the late summer of 2017 as we write this introduction, the Australian sociopolitical milieu has changed. The organising concept of mobilities—upon which the conference and subsequent collection rested—now generates ever more connotations, given recent, highly disruptive developments in the U.K. (as a consequence of Brexit) and, in the United States President Trump’s attempts at a “Muslim ban”. Closer to home, the re-emergence of One Nation and Pauline Hanson as a political force has significant influence on communities of Asian Australians and their experiences of the national public sphere. The current Turnbull government continues the shift towards simplistic “Australia’s best interests” rhetoric with the abolition of the 457 temporary work visa, a move that some argue aligns with One Nation priorities. These contexts and their historical, racial, and political trajectories shape Asian Australian studies today.'

Source: p.277

'We Weren't Born Yesterday is a series of radio documentaries produced by the Queering the Air collective on 3CR Community Radio, Melbourne, that explores queer heritage, vocabulary and intergenerational connections in migrant communities in Australia. It was broadcast in February 2015 on 3CR, SBS, Joy and other stations on the Community Radio Network. The collective produced four hour-long radio features focused on the voices of gay, lesbian, bisexual, trans, intersex and queer people from diasporic backgrounds, with each feature focused on one cultural/linguistic community—Vietnamese, Chinese (Mandarin), Arabic and Indian (Hindi). This article presents insights that emerged from the series as well as the producers’ reflections on the series.'

Source: Abstract.

'Japanese people first settled in Australia in the late nineteenth century, yet the history of Japanese Australians remains mostly unknown. In fact, many contemporary people of Japanese heritage often feel alienated from their own ethnic history, even actively rejecting any connection to the Japanese diaspora. This article examines the reasons behind this phenomenon and how the group Nikkei Australia grew out of a need to explore these issues of ambivalent identity. Nikkei Australia is group of researchers and individuals with an interest in rediscovering and retelling Japanese Australian diasporic stories. Drawing on personal narratives and reflections, this article charts the inception of Nikkei Australia and the group's academic, artistic and cultural activities to date, as well as the issues and ideas that inform and frame the group's tasks ahead.'

Source: Abstract.