Being mixed race in Australia is a privilege that carries both advantages and obstacles. 

Cultural diversity is often embraced in Australia, but the lived experiences of mixed-race individuals reveal unique challenges. 

Nineteen-year-old university student Sachiko Metzner, for example, was born to a Japanese mother and a German father. Raised in a predominantly Anglo-Australian suburb in Brisbane, she says she often faces racism and identity issues.

“The ultimate desirability standard I learnt in primary school was the classic white, blonde, sporty blue-eyed look,” Metzner says.

For many mixed-race Australians, navigating identity through self-discovery is moulded by societal expectations and the challenge of finding a place where they truly fit in. 

Clinical psychologist Dr Paula Verity, an expert in behavioural therapy who specialises in helping patients navigate their identity challenges, explains that consistent racial discrimination can evolve into long-lasting mental health concerns. 

“Individuals who experience cumulative racial abuse are likely to experience poorer mental health, resulting in periods of anxiety, feelings of social isolation and disconnection, as well as potential anger,” Verity says.

She highlights the importance of creating an inclusive school, university or workplace, noting that individual differences regarding culture are crucial to developing a healthy environment.  

“This is the most important measure as it provides clear boundaries in relation to acceptable behaviour and encourages everyone to contribute to the culture by maintaining these boundaries,” Verity says.  

Struggling to fit in, Metzner says she grew up feeling frustrated at times during her adolescence, and as a result she became hyper aware of the lack of cultural diversity in her primarily white Anglo-Australian surroundings. 

She understood she did not look entirely German, and at the same time she was not a stereotypical Japanese woman either. 

This sense of awkwardness left her feeling somewhat displaced while questioning her identity and self-image.

“When at traditional German events, such as Easter Sunday church services in Germany, I am aware I don’t look the part and stand out,” Metzner said.

Beyond ethnic identity, she says being part-Asian automatically sparked academic stereotypes, where she questioned why there was an expectation for her to excel in her studies while her white peers faced no such assumptions. 

“I remember being so shocked to see my reflection in the mirror in about grade four. I looked so different to my peers and especially the popular group,” Metzner says. 

In 2020, media organisations such as the Media, Entertainment and Arts Alliance, Identia and several Victorian and NSW universities undertook research that raised concerns about the under-representation of cultural diversity in Australian television news and current affairs, most of which was produced by an Anglo-Celtic workforce.

While the Australian media are adapting to incorporate people of various ethnic backgrounds on screen, the research found the industry has a long way to go in building a workforce that truly represents the nation's diverse cultures.

Data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics in 2021 show a momentous rise in international-born and second-generation migrants settling in Australia since the end of World War II, transforming the nation into a multicultural hub with people from all different backgrounds and increased instances of interracial marriage, which resulted in more mixed-race children growing up in Australia. 

Metzner points to how that history plays out in the racist comments she has received.

“Being Japanese and German, of mixed Axis-power descent, I have been called a Nazi and a supporter of the war,” she says.

Verity says individuals who have experienced ongoing racism and bullying have a higher likelihood of developing mental health difficulties such as anxiety or depression.

“If the bullying behaviour is due to the individual’s cultural background such as being of mixed race, they are more likely to have feelings of social anxiety, isolation and disconnection.” 

The Victorian Government conducted research in 2014 on the impact of racist bullying, implying such instances can leave the victim feeling confused, ashamed and embarrassed.

A significant component of that report emphasised that racist bullying could make victims feel unsafe in their own environment, particularly a school setting. 

Discussing racist experiences with Anglo-Saxon peers remains a challenge for Metzner, while many people are unaware of the deep-rooted nature of the impact of racial slurs.

Moreover, mixed-race individuals often struggle with their sense of belonging, since they do not fully fit into a particular culture, a challenge she highlights. 

“My name is fully Japanese, and my surname is clearly not Japanese, so when I used to turn up to Japanese events other around me would say, ‘Well you are only 50 per cent Japanese'," she says.

"When I go to German events, I don’t look German at all like the others, as I have been told to my face.”  

A Talkspace research project in 2023 describes this struggle as racial imposter syndrome. Experts suggest the central causes stem from individuals not fitting into the cultural heritage they identify with.  

For mixed-race individuals, Verity highlights the significance of a supportive home environment where both cultures are celebrated.

This involves celebrating both sets of religious traditions, holidays and food, which helps ease feelings of displacement and culture shock.

Despite the challenges, Metzner has learned to embrace her unique attributes and identity. 

“I am grateful for both of my cultures. I am way more interesting, culturally and socially aware and resilient than your average vanilla person,” she says. 

As more mixed-race Australians share their personal stories in future, Metzner’s goal is that future generations will grow up feeling accepted and empowered in Australia.