13 Sep 2021 | 5 mins
Overview

Is Sydney really as divided as it seems? Let's dive into the stereotypes you'll find across the city. 

Sydney peeps, IYKYK.

The class schism that divides us has been around for years. Generally, stereotypes and socioeconomic status is what separates us and you’ve probably heard it all. No matter where you grew up, there is a consensus that:

  • People from lower socioeconomic groups that live in the Greater Western Sydney suburbs are bums on the dole
  • Inner Westians are arty farty buskers
  • Eastern suburbs and Northern Beaches residents are the snooty, rich population that enjoy acai bowls and morning pilates classes

Now, that’s a very classist way to look at it but it’s been entrenched in us from our parents, friends and the people we grow up with - so there’s no denying that’s just how societal views goes. Plus, the Red Rooster line is a pretty accurate representation of this and delves into it further:

With all the lockdowns and ‘rona not settling down just yet, the class segregation of the West versus everyone else has only been accelerated. Take the past weekend for example:

@tillywhitfeld

#meow

♬ desire - favsoundds

It was beautiful weather, there’s no doubt about it. As the rules stood, it was legal to leave your home for recreation or exercise within 5km if you’re not in an affected LGA. But when basketball hoops are being removed from public courts and curfews are still being upheld in areas of concern, it may feel like a kick in the face for people out in the west and a bit of a double standard. 

Then there is also the other POV, where people are pairing up race and ethnic groups to certain suburbs and blaming them for the high case numbers, which is obviously just wrong and discriminatory. There is a lack of sympathy and empathy for people affected and that’s where the class schism is most prevalent. 

@_veronicab_

##stitch with @tarikkent

♬ Monkeys Spinning Monkeys - Kevin MacLeod

There are many different arguments for and against this but at the end of the day, it does feel like we’re living in a divided city when we should be coming together and doing our part. 

Although it’s dismissed for the most part, classism is vastly unfair. There are fast food joints at every corner you turn in western Sydney, public emergency departments are always flooded, there are not enough specialists whereas it’s never really an issue in other parts of Sydney - so how do we end this?

Coming from the Western suburbs myself, I’ve noticed a shift in the attitude from “making it out” of the west, to embracing the culture and the roots from where we come from. Geez, for my ATAR, I even received 5 bonus points just for going to a “disadvantaged” school. Is there a way to end classism and these stereotypes in politics, our society or is it something that’ll never go away?

Heck, I’ve even heard Hooligan Hefs being played in Manly clubs (weird flex but okay) but in all seriousness, no matter which way you look at it, the class system is an unjust structure that gets you sitting on either side of the fence.