The multicultural generosity Pauline can't see

From volunteers to blood donors, Australians of every background demonstrate the compassion and generosity that Pauline Hanson refuses to acknowledge, writes Leon David.

DEAR PAULINE,

I made it to ten blood donations last week. It took me long enough, but I received my big red water bottle that I'd had my eye on for months.

I know it's a small achievement and that there are people who make actual sacrifices, but I was pretty pleased with myself if I'm being honest. I know smugness is not a good quality. But I also have enough self-awareness to know that I'm not perfect. And that I can sometimes be a jerk.

Just so you know, I have O+ blood, so if you ever need a blood transfusion, you'd better make sure it's not mine you're receiving. I don't think you'd be all that happy to receive my brown blood — after all, what would your buddy Tommy think?

My local blood bank is an interesting place. The two receptionists were of Sri Lankan and East Asian extraction. At least half the donors were either South or East Asian. The staff were a mix of Asians, “traditional” Australians, North and East Africans.

I wonder how you'll deal with this reality, Pauline. I wonder if any of these staff members or donors were Muslim? The horror! After all, we're all just taking advantage, right? Not contributing. Not paying taxes.

The monoculture myth at the heart of Hansonism

Australia has never been a monoculture, and importing American-style grievance politics only distracts from the real challenges facing ordinary Australians.

Pauline, you'll be interested to know that the man donating in the chair next to me was Vietnamese and couldn't speak very good English. The kindly older lady who was taking his blood kept on asking him questions he couldn't easily understand. But she got there in the end and she warmly clapped — seriously. Interesting. He's obviously new to the country. He's trying to learn English and there's clearly some way to go. But he still made time to give his blood. What a horrible immigrant.

There was also a middle-aged Indian man. A volunteer whose sole job was restocking the snack counter. He was giving his time for free. Shame about your monoculture comments, Pauline, because his type will be gone if you have your way.

The blood bank is a microcosm of Australian culture, well at least the culture I know anyway. A mix of people with ancestry from across the globe. Some speak English with an Australian accent. For others, the challenge of speaking good English is still one to overcome, but it will be overcome with time.

Some, like the group of young uni students (two White guys and an Asian guy if you're interested), were planning their evening after eating their weight in party pies and sausage rolls. One older guy was sitting there, a needle in his arm, taking conference calls for work on his laptop. A group of people all giving up their time to give blood to someone they don't know. Secure in the knowledge that whoever receives their blood needs it. Uncaring of the colour of the skin of the recipient.

Pauline, I know you want a monocultural Australia. And despite your protestations to the contrary, I think we all know that you do actually want a White Australia again. I hope that it never happens. But if it does, I hope you don't need the many services that we provide, the cultural richness that we bring and the many billions of dollars we contribute to the economy.

I don't know if you've thought about what you've said and what you want so deeply. And just in case you need my blood, or the blood of any of the many other people of colour, I hope you remember that once you receive it, you're one of us. If this White and monocultural Australia you long for ever comes to pass, you'll have to leave, too. Be careful what you wish for, Pauline.