United Nations Harmony Day

Alicia
St Mary's Primary School
Australia

In the past, many people and leaders have had very racist views. Only recently have people changed these views and are accepting other cultures. My personal experiences are quite interlinked with other cultures, and it has changed me.

Vietnamese refugees are pretty much my grandparents' life here in Australia. In the 60s, when the war was on, Nana and Poppy took many refugees in and added them to their already large family. Even today, traces that the Vietnamese were there still remain and my Nana frequently goes to Vietnamese weddings. My Poppy's assistant (he's a builder) is a very agile handy-man. When I first knew about all this, I realised how my grandparents had changed many lives. Knowing that, I changed and realised that, in order to have peace, we all must help one another, no matter what our culture or differences are.

Until recently, cultures other than Anglo-whites here in Australia, could not make their way up in the world. Recently, an Olympic long-distance runner from Kenya, in Africa, named Caleb, visited our school. He isn't only running for himself; he is also running to provide for his family at home in Africa. To me, Caleb seemed a very peaceful man and just wanted to get on with his job, but also he was very caring and thoughtful. I think that's how we all should be not worried if a person is black or white. As someone once said, 'I truly believe that we are all the same underneath our coloured skin'.

Harmony Day is on 21 March and all the different cultures meet together and accept other people's differences. Harmony Day lives up to its name; 'harmony', everyone together in peaceful harmony. Harmony: all in agreement and in acceptance.

Being prejudiced and racist is a thing we all need to learn not to be.

Today, society needs to work towards this harmonious goal.

Thank you

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