Usman Khawaja-The Changing Face of Australia

Well Done Usman Khawaja!

I came to Australia in 1971 for the first time and only two years later the controversial ‘White Australian policy’ was abolished.This policy was basically a policy that dictated that you had to have Anglo Saxon roots to get into the Country.Then people from other backgrounds had to be sponsored to enter this fine land or had to have an ability that the Country needed.

In a word its basis was around Racism…

Thus a Country in Australia seen as the land of milk and honey and beloved the World around had a Racist undertone.This in a Country that in the 21st Century is one of the most Multicultural places in the globe.

To a large sense it has shed off its Racist past and been starting to be embracing of all.Though sadly in 05 in the wake of the hysteria drummed up in the Western press about Muslim people.There were the shameful Sydney Riots that pitted White Australia against Middle Eastern/Muslim Australia.

It was indeed a dark time and a reminder of Australia’s Racist past….

Though thankfully since much has been done to mend burnt bridges and reach out the hand in friendship.The selection of the Pakistani born Muslim Usman Khawaja in the Australia squad for the Pakistani Series in England in 2010 was testimony to this…

For in a Nation that is said to have a quarter of its population emanate from Overseas.It is a good sign of the true beginning of integration of all citizens into parts of Australian society that were seen as a bastion for the locals only…

The Australian Cricket Team was one of these bastions!

To me it has the same meaning as when Makhaya Ntini became the first Black South African player…Lets hope this fine young man in Usman Khawaja does the Baggy Green proud and is a source of inspiration to all minority groups in Australia!