Even though Australia takes pride in its egalitarianism, prejudice lurks within and around the community. Like in any other country, prejudice is a default reality. The source or reason for it does not even matter anymore, because prejudice always already makes up its mind.
Then, there is my parental existence to a half-bred white child. Some days I think that someday my beloved son would disown me somehow because I am brown. But it is okay, I have already signed on the dotted line, which defines my willingness to take on this pain, among other consequences which are part and parcel when I have married his father.
Today, prejudice decides to say hi to my two-year-old son at the shops. It hurts to see my child is singled-out because of me. He wants to play with a ball. He looks at the staff in his eyes with his hand wide open, reaching for the ball. The male staff pretends he is busy with other kids. I stand there looking at my son's patience. Then, the staff gives the ball to the little blonde girl instead, who does not even want the ball. Well...
This is not the first time, but this is the first time I am putting this out there.
