Forbidden Fs Speak: You Know What Australians Think If You Say You Are a Muslim

Abstract

The “boundary stream” Forbidden Fs—food, faith, and festival, began with the “othering” of “Australian / not Australian” categories. It began in a very abstract manner, and collected strength and form as it united and merged with Complex(ion). Food, Faith, and Festival, the Forbidden Fs, the features central to celebratory discourses of multiculturalism, failed to impress the “Australian.” Authoritative and elusive nationalism repeatedly clashed with food and festivals tied to faith. Our emotions and feelings were put under trial and the “Australian” always had reasons and sanctions to exclude the “not Australian” or include at will. Ganga ends this chapter finally to tell her tales of “øthered” silences and whispers.

I think of myself as just Australian, so I don’t really wonder about that much. But when you ask what it is to be an Australian, like you did once, it is confronting. But what culture do I have to talk about. I am boring, I am nothing. There is no color, celebration or food.

—Cathy, white Anglo-Australian staff