BAME is the common acronym used in the UK for anyone who is Black. Asian. Minority. Ethnic. I fit into the BAME definition but it is a term which I have never liked. The first time I ever heard it was during a job interview for Yellow Earth theatre. I was fresh off the boat (another popular term used in relation to BAME people). I had not been in London long and was bright-eyed and bushy- tailed in my eagerness to submerge myself into the arts scene.
I thought the interview was going well when the Chinese-British director asked what I thought about working for a BAME company.
Excuse me? What's that?
BAME. Black. Asian. Minority. Ethnic.
I stared at him. Was he serious?
What a horrible term. We’re all just lumped in together?!
The comment was out before I could stop it. The smile left the director's and he pursed his lips defensively.
What's wrong with it?
Sorry, I just haven't heard that before, I back pedaled. It's not a term that's used in Australia.
Well what do you use in Australia?
For theatres like this, we would usually say Community Theatre. Not BAME.
BAME is more descriptive.
How? Where do I fit? I'm Chinese. Does that make me Minority or Ethnic? I know it's not Asian cause Asian means Indian in this country.
The look he gave me told me he thought I was an idiot first and foremost, irrespective of ethnicity.
Needless to say, I didn't get the job. I left in a huff.
What a moron I thought. Talk about being a willing participant in your own incarceration.
Years later (ie, now) when I started attending writing retreats and workshops, I heard the BAME term being bandied about again. It turns out that being a BAME is a good thing in publishing right now as the industry and market have realised that not only white people can tell stories or write books.
I absorbed this news and unlike my younger angry self, I decided to go all in. Go Full BAME.
Why not use this moment to my advantage I thought. I sure as hell need whatever help I can get.
So I started applying for writing awards and competitions specifically aimed at BAME people. Luck would have it that I got offered places on some of them. Does this make me feel like I sold out?
Nope. It makes me feel like about fucking time other voices and people were considered legit and commercial.
Maybe this turn around in my attitude was the getting of wisdom. In all likelihood, it was just wanting to get.
Get something. In writing. Out.
I thought the interview was going well when the Chinese-British director asked what I thought about working for a BAME company.
Excuse me? What's that?
BAME. Black. Asian. Minority. Ethnic.
I stared at him. Was he serious?
What a horrible term. We’re all just lumped in together?!
The comment was out before I could stop it. The smile left the director's and he pursed his lips defensively.
What's wrong with it?
Sorry, I just haven't heard that before, I back pedaled. It's not a term that's used in Australia.
Well what do you use in Australia?
For theatres like this, we would usually say Community Theatre. Not BAME.
BAME is more descriptive.
How? Where do I fit? I'm Chinese. Does that make me Minority or Ethnic? I know it's not Asian cause Asian means Indian in this country.
The look he gave me told me he thought I was an idiot first and foremost, irrespective of ethnicity.
Needless to say, I didn't get the job. I left in a huff.
What a moron I thought. Talk about being a willing participant in your own incarceration.
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| Finally, publishing is taking a Benetton approach. |
Years later (ie, now) when I started attending writing retreats and workshops, I heard the BAME term being bandied about again. It turns out that being a BAME is a good thing in publishing right now as the industry and market have realised that not only white people can tell stories or write books.
I absorbed this news and unlike my younger angry self, I decided to go all in. Go Full BAME.
Why not use this moment to my advantage I thought. I sure as hell need whatever help I can get.
So I started applying for writing awards and competitions specifically aimed at BAME people. Luck would have it that I got offered places on some of them. Does this make me feel like I sold out?
Nope. It makes me feel like about fucking time other voices and people were considered legit and commercial.
Maybe this turn around in my attitude was the getting of wisdom. In all likelihood, it was just wanting to get.
Get something. In writing. Out.
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