“Why Are People So Unkind?” has become a famous, perhaps notorious,
Australian catchphrase. It’s attributed to our kaftan king and iconic
Australian performer, Kamahl. Initially a comment on racism we challenge our
contributors to find ways of incorporating this theme.

Below are some prompts that we hope are only the start of what you might do
with the theme:

* Being UnAustralian - yes, please?

* Represent! - Finding role models, creating your own, nixing cliches,
forging new communities

* Culture makes me / I make culture

* The ‘Asian’ thing? Get over it.

Let’s see and hear what you think about “Why Are People So Unkind?”. Write,
create, draw, compose, collaborate! We accept submissions of any kind of
text, sound or visual art, as long as it can be presented online. For e.g.
submissions can be essays, blog entries, reflections, poetry, fiction,
memoir, spoken word.

Our text limit is 1000 words. As we are supported by the Australia Council
for the Arts (who are kind), we can pay contributors to Issue 8.

Check out our previous issues to see what we publish at http://www.peril.com.au

You don’t have to be Asian-Australian to contribute, but your contribution
should be related to the theme and be of Asian-Australian interest.

The deadline for Issue 8 material is September 30 2009, to be published in
November 2009.