If I could go back in time to when I was being bullied for being fat, or effeminate, labelled for living in public housing, and scrutinised by security for my appearance - I would say - keep going; one day you’ll see that you can use your difference to make a difference.
In my early 20s, my late mother asked, “If you were given a choice to either be fully Anglo", which she was, "or fully indigenous Fijian", which my dad is, "what would you choose?” It was such a striking question. Growing up biracial in western Sydney had its challenges. I struggled with feeling like I didn’t adequately fit into either, as I thought I wasn’t white enough or Fijian enough. On reflection with my mum – who loved and embraced her children dearly, I gradually replied with “neither”. It was within that space that I realised something for the first time. That if I had been fully white, I believe I wouldn’t have had the lived experience of being ethnically different. And if I had been fully Fijian, I may not have had the opportunity to critically understand the western ways of viewing the world.
Jioji Ravulo in Year 12. Source: Supplied
But in reality, I didn’t choose to be different. But I can choose how I navigate and represent my diversity across life’s journey.
Through my Anglo heritage I’ve learnt how to understand Australian society – it’s focus on the individual, on capitalism, on materialism, on financial wealth, and on pursuing knowledge through formal education in turn creating privilege and personal power.
Through my Pacific heritage I’ve learnt the joys of the collective. We all have a part to play. Our role across the community is to support the communal efforts to thrive together. My wellbeing is our wellbeing. My identity is connected to our shared identity.
Combined – I strive to support the creation of fair, just and inclusive societies.
My professional career as a social worker has been an endeavour to live this out. My first full time community-based role was working alongside young people who offend, and their families. Soon after working in this space, I came to a realisation that many of the young people involved in the youth justice system have . I also saw an . This prompted me to question the effectiveness of our education, health, welfare and legal systems – and to challenge their role and responsibility in creating such
Soon after completing my that explored possible ways to proactively promote better responses to cultural diversity through whole of community and whole of government approaches, I undertook my first academic role at Western Sydney University. I saw an underrepresentation of our communities in such spaces and was involved in creating an initiative called . Celebrating its 10th year in early 2022, this initiative strives to encourage our Pacific communities to see tertiary study as a viable option, whilst creating culturally safe spaces for diversity to exist within academic institutions that are generally white and very westernised.
In a commitment to further deconstruct western approaches, I have greatly enjoyed working with Pasifika colleagues across Oceania in creating a book called to decolonise social work education, professional practices, social policies and research. The need to also ensure western medical and clinical approaches and models are meaningfully inclusive of Pacific ways of knowing and doing, being and becoming has also been a focus. Through the research initiative, we are promoting specific Pacific perspectives on wellbeing through the development of resources that are culturally nuanced and engaged.
When I commenced at The University of Sydney earlier in the year, I was worried about living up to the expectations of being a Professor. I felt I needed to reshape and remould the way I conducted myself. Seven months on, I now realise that I just need to be me.
Being able to achieve has been based on my ability to be myself. To be me – is in the broader connection of self and others. My sense of self is safely anchored in the knowledge that my sense of belonging is secured in our connection with others. Even though we may feel different and at times isolated amongst the masses, my purpose has been founded in embracing my differences.
Source: Supplied
I’m still learning a lot about myself, both personally and professionally. I’m much more comfortable with leaning into these spaces, knowing that being me can hopefully help the bigger picture of we as a society.
So my encouragement to anyone who is discouraged for being different, whether it be based on your socioeconomic status, gender, sexuality, religion, indigeneity, ethnicity, physical size, language, ability or all of the above is – how will you make a difference through your difference?
is Professor & Chair of Social Work and Policy Studies at The University of Sydney. He is the first person of a . He continues to work across areas related to mental health and wellbeing, alcohol and other drugs, youth development and engagement, why communities become marginalised and the need to decolonise western structures and systems.
This article is part of SBS Voices' Straight Up Islander series, showcasing the work of writers with ancestral ties across Oceania. It has been edited by Winnie Dunn, in partnership with Sweatshop Literacy Movement Inc.
