Dystopian Australia: A World of Racial Segregation

This excerpt from Ben Peek's novel "Black Sheep" presents a disturbing vision of a future Australia where racial segregation has become the law of the land. The story revolves around Isao Dazai, a Japanese-born man living in Asian-Sydney, who has been convicted of the crime of "being Japanese" in a society that demands complete assimilation.

Highlight: The novel is set in a future where races have been segregated into walled ghettos defined by three 'mass racial' categories: Asian, African and Caucasian.

The text introduces the concept of "Assimilation" as a punishment for those who refuse to abandon their cultural heritage. This dystopian society views multiculturalism as a "heinous crime" and enforces strict racial boundaries.

Vocabulary: Assimilation - In this context, it refers to a radical and invasive punishment aimed at erasing an individual's cultural identity.

The narrative provides a chilling glimpse into the workings of a totalitarian state, where even the desire to cross city boundaries is considered a severe offense. This society's extreme measures to maintain racial purity serve as a stark warning about the dangers of unchecked discrimination and xenophobia.

Example: Isao Dazai's crime is simply "being Japanese with full awareness that you are living in Australia," highlighting the absurdity and cruelty of the system.

The Process of Assimilation

The final page of the excerpt describes the beginning of Isao's "Assimilation" process, revealing the clinical and dehumanizing nature of this punishment. The scene takes place in a sterile, white-tiled room, emphasizing the cold and impersonal approach to erasing an individual's cultural identity.

Three men enter the room, two described as wearing "flowing white coats," suggesting medical or scientific personnel, while the third wears "only overalls." This description hints at a pseudo-scientific approach to cultural assimilation, treating cultural identity as if it were a disease to be cured.

Quote: "Ah, here he is, here he is," said the first of the men, older than the others, and his head completely bald. His narrow face was covered in fine, intricate lines, as if a sculptor had chiseled him."

The bald man's clinical examination of Isao, including plucking a strand of his hair, further emphasizes the dehumanizing nature of the process. His casual mention of the procedure being "easier on teenagers and anyone over fifty" suggests a routinized approach to this form of punishment.

Highlight: The bald man's hand curled around my chin, twisting my head from left to right. "How old are you? Thirty, I would guess." He plucked a strand of black hair out of my head, then murmured, "It is an easier procedure on teenagers and anyone over fifty. Did you know that?"

This scene serves as a chilling example of how a totalitarian state can use pseudo-science to justify inhumane practices. It also raises questions about the nature of identity and the extreme lengths to which a society might go to enforce conformity.

The excerpt ends with Isao being led to his cell, leaving the reader to imagine the horrors that await him in the name of "Assimilation." This open-ended conclusion invites reflection on the value of cultural diversity and the dangers of extreme nationalism.

Example: The process of "Assimilation" in this dystopian world serves as a stark contrast to real-world efforts at multicultural integration, highlighting the importance of preserving cultural identity in diverse societies.

The Trial and Sentencing

The second page of the excerpt delves deeper into Isao Dazai's situation, describing his trial and the immediate aftermath of his sentencing. The author paints a vivid picture of a justice system that has abandoned fairness in favor of racial purity.

The trial process is depicted as swift and merciless. The judge, described as a "dour, sagging, sinking past his bones old man," delivers a verdict that reflects the society's fear and intolerance of cultural diversity.

Quote: "Isao Dazai, you have broken the United Nations Laws of Nationality. In doing this, you have put the good people of Asian-Sydney in danger of Multiculturalism, a most heinous crime for which we, as People of the World, must be ever vigilant against."

This passage illustrates how the totalitarian state has twisted international laws to serve its segregationist agenda. The concept of multiculturalism, which is generally viewed positively in our current society, is portrayed as a dangerous threat in this dystopian world.

Definition: Multiculturalism - The presence of, or support for the presence of, several distinct cultural or ethnic groups within a society.

The text also highlights the dehumanizing treatment of those deemed criminals in this society. Isao is led through sterile halls by silent Segregators who communicate only through physical force, emphasizing the loss of individual dignity and autonomy.

Highlight: The Segregators use nightsticks to guide Isao, "digging into my back to get me to move faster, slapping my right side to have me turn right, my left to go left."

This section of the text provides a stark example of how a totalitarian state can manipulate language and law to justify oppression, serving as a warning about the potential consequences of extreme nationalism and racial segregation.