Journal Report

SEQ CHAPTER \h \r 1 Journal Report

Multi Cultural Studies

Gooneratne , Yasmine (1989 ) `How Barry Changed his Image .`

This reading describes a racial identity rift between a couple who are struggling to find a homogeneous cultural identity as it chronicles the experiences of Bharat and Navaranjini Wickrarnasingha as they transform into Barry and Jeanie Wicks . Barry and Jean are an Asian couple attempting to assimilate into Australian culture

The situation is described by Jean and from her perspective as she describes her husband 's identity crisis and her attempt to

accommodate his goal of assimilating into Australian culture . Barry is described as a westernized Asian . Jean , on the other hand , is from Sri Lanka and has what she considers a more traditional and correct Asian perspective In one discourse she describes those from India and Sri Lanka as real Asians , noting that far eastern Asians , which she calls Ching-Chongs are mistaken by Australians as Asians . Jean learns to speak Australian by listening to talk radio , and Barry wears contacts to look more acceptable . Barry 's image problems began after an Australian sociologist spoke out against , and was affirmed by several newss Australia 's Asian immigration problem

Upon meeting the professor Jean explained the road to racism taken by this professor . First she highlights his ignorance of various eastern or Asian ethnicities . Second , she explains the re-naming ritual that the couple went through describing the derogatory and diminutive meanings of some of the more acceptable names they considered . Finally she...