Summary

Size small green men's ringer t-shirt with white ribbing on the collar and sleeves and the slogan "Proud European Australian" in white print on the front. Sold by the Politically Inc(correct) T-Shirts shop online. This shop is based in the United States of America and has a page exclusively dedicated to 'Australian merchandise' - all of which is related to Australian nationalism. This shop is referred to by the website Australian Nationalist Resource.

Physical Description

Size small green men's ringer t-shirt with white ribbing on the collar and sleeves and the slogan "Proud European Australian" in white print on the front.

Significance

One of a series of t-shirts which are examples of racist and nationalist memorabilia. The slogans on these t-shirts are racist and seek to define Australian identity by excluding 'the other'. Placed in a historical context the t-shirts reflect anxieties about foreign invasions and a xenophobia that has characterised public discourse in Australian colonies since the Victorian gold rushes of the 1850s. The t-shirt with the slogan: "Proud European Australian" is an adaptation to Post World War II migration mostly from Europe and indicates a solidarity with other European nations, especially white. The t-shirt displaying the outline map of Australia with "Full!" in the centre is a continuation of Australian fears of being 'swamped' by foreigners. This image and its variations appear scrawled on white human skin and t-shirts at the Cronulla riots in December 2005 and on Australia Day celebrations and disturbances, including that on Manly beach on 26 January 2009. The use of the white map of Australia iconography, formerly a common feature of medals, badges and stamps, is an echo of the 'White Australia' policy of the early 20th century.

More Information