The multicultural generosity Pauline can’t see

From volunteers to blood donors, Australians of all backgrounds have shown the compassion and generosity that Pauline Hanson refused to acknowledge, writes Leon David.

DARLING PAULINE,

Last week I reached ten blood donations. It took long enough, but I got the big red water bottle I’ve had my eye on for months.

I know it’s a small accomplishment and there are people who really sacrifice, but to be honest I was pretty pleased with myself. I know that arrogance is not a good quality. But I also have enough self-awareness to know that I’m not perfect. And sometimes I can be stupid.

Just so you know, I have O+ blood, so if you need a blood transfusion, you better make sure the blood you’re getting isn’t mine. I don’t think you’d be too happy about taking my brown blood, after all, what would your friend want? Tommy to think?

My local blood bank is an interesting place. The two receptionists were of Sri Lankan and East Asian descent. At least half of the donors were South or East Asian. Staff included Asians, “traditional” Australians, and North and East Africans.

I wonder how you will deal with this reality, Pauline. Were any of these staff or donors Muslim? Fear! After all, we all benefit, right? Not contributing. Not paying taxes.

Pauline, you’ll be interested to know that the man in the chair next to me donating is Vietnamese and doesn’t speak English very well. The kindly old woman who drew his blood continued to ask him questions he could not easily understand. But he finally got there and applauded passionately – seriously. Interesting. He’s obviously new to the country. He’s trying to learn English and it’s clear there’s a long way to go. But he still took the time to give his blood. What a terrible immigrant.

There was also a middle-aged Indian. A volunteer whose only job is to restock the snack counter. He was giving his time for free. Shame on your monoculture comments, Pauline, because if you will, its type will disappear.

The blood bank is a microcosm of Australian culture, at least the culture I know. A mix of people with ancestry from around the world. Some speak English with an Australian accent. For some, the difficulty of speaking good English is still a challenge, but it will be overcome with time.

Some, a group of young college students (two white guys and one Asian guy, if you’re interested) were planning their evening after eating their weight in party pies and sausage rolls. An old man was sitting there with a needle in his arm and was making conference calls for work on his laptop. A group of people giving up their time to donate blood to someone they don’t know. Trust in the knowledge that the person taking your blood needs it. Ignoring the buyer’s skin color.

Pauline, I know you want a monocultural Australia. And despite your protests to the contrary, I think we all know that you actually want something. White Australia Again. I hope this never happens. But if so, I hope you don’t need the many services we offer, the cultural richness we bring, and the billions of dollars we contribute to the economy.

I don’t know if you’ve thought that deeply about what you’re saying and what you want. And just in case you ever need my blood, or the blood of one of the many other races, I hope that when you receive this you will remember that you are one of us. If this white, monocultural Australia you desire becomes reality, you too will have to leave. Be careful what you wish for, Pauline.