Is another book immigrants really necessary? Are we just jumping on board the ever-moving train of media frenzy surrounding the subject? Well, no. This work is not another historical textbook or statistical report (hard to believe, I know, given the "data-rich" content in the first couple of chapters). Rather this writing comes from the deep recesses of the hearts of two people who are immigrants (or should I say "ring-ins") themselves; two who have been on the receiving end of people's condescending comments, uninformed innuendos, asinine assumptions and downright DUMB questions. It's not a nice place to be. It's not nice for the receiver - it undermines his/her beginnings and almost renders common that which is held sacred - cultural ideals, values, etc. Neither is it nice for the sender- it highlights his/her ignorance and lack of sensitivity, although given, this may in many cases be highly unintentional. Intentional or not, however, theses awkward interactions between the "local" and the "newcomer" (I detest the labelling of people but for purposes of differentiation, it is necessary here) erect walls of division that scream out: "you cannot be part of my world We are too different " The purpose of this book is to:1.Bring these walls crashing down, applying a wrecking ball of truth to the wall of lies that the great deceiver has put in place.2.Provide keys to unlock the vaults that have been closed for so long, and allow the light of mutual respect and acceptance to shine through.We'd like to view this work as a tool being placed in the hand of all "locals" (whatever your locality) who struggle with the question: "what do I "do" with this "other" person standing in front of me; this "other" person from an "other" country, from an "other" background, with "other" ways of doing things?"For those who do not wrestle with these, or similar, questions, this tool would still be handy to pass on to someone who does, because chances are each one of us knows someone who finds it difficult to relate an "other-cultural" person. It's our hope and prayer that in some small way, this work will help to provide further understanding, and serve to strengthen relationships between the "true blue Aussies" and those of us who differ - differ not in commitment to the values and advancement of this country we now call home, but in our journeys and experiences in life.All of us, Aussie-born or not, are on a journey. How awesome it would be, if we were able to walk that journey together, side by side, in respect, understanding and love. How awesome it would be to live in an Australia where nobody's beginning gets underestimated, but rather where nuggets of hope and wisdom are gleaned from all experiences, irrespective of which place they originate from.We invite you, dear friend, to embark on this journey, this mission, this DUMB Mission (note DUMB, not dumb) with us - a mission where, on behalf of ring-ins everywhere, the cry is a unanimous one: "Please, Don't Underestimate My Background"
