January 26 is Australia Day for me, not Invasion Day. I don’t agree with the word ‘invasion’ and think it is divisive.
Over the Australia Day long weekend, Australia has been pulled kicking and screaming into community discussion on the day that we celebrate our country. For those not from this nation, January 26 celebrates the arrival of the First Fleet at Botany Bay and the British colonisation of Australia.
Now there were other inhabitants of this continent before they arrived. Throughout our short history it is fair to say that these Indigenous Australians have received a raw deal. Aboriginals were slain for no reason, denied natural justice, cheated of their lands in unfair deals and have, until recently, been an issue always left in the too hard basket.
Indigenous Australians have a lower life expectancy than other Australians, live in substandard housing conditions and are still treated poorly by some in society.
There is currently debate surrounding the date of Australia Day, with some suggesting it should be moved as it represents Invasion Day for some Indigenous Australians . Invasion Day mourns the invasion of this country by the British on 26 January 1788. Same event, same day, whole different perspective.
I think it is now time to come together as one nation and move past this talk of invasion. I certainly don’t think we should be changing the date of Australia Day. Talk of invasion is divisive and does not help to bring together all sides.
We need to work together to bring the living standards of the indigenous up to the same level as other Australians. We need to recognise the unique cultures of all people living in Australia. Whether that be indigenous culture or the unique national identity formed during the last 221 years.
What doesn’t help is talking of an invasion. It’s a powerful and emotive word but I don’t believe it is the right one.Tags: Australia, Australia Day, First Fleet, Indigenous Australia, Politics
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MikQ said,
http://blog.nomadiquemc.com/2009/01/test.html
i was having this ‘discussion’ yesterday in several different forums. seems you and i are in the minority, nicholas.
i’m both aboriginal and a fairly outspoken leftie, but i’m also inclined towards confrontation rather than avoidance. shifting the date just ignores the issue. yes, let’s have a national discussion - not about moving the day, but about confronting everything that the day represents, and coming to terms with it.
isn’t that what reconciliation is all about?
MikQ
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Geordie said,
I think Australia day has transcended the reason for its date. Ask any Australian on a beach having a barbeque, or for that matter an Australian who’s celebrating in their Indian-Australian household with a curry and some naan - it’s not about what happened on the day 200 years ago, it’s about what it means to be Australian today.
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Nicholas Perkins said,
MikQ,
I think if we go too far towards one side’s wants, the other will resent the outcomes. It will be a fine line but you are right when you say we need to confront the issues head on.
Nick
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Nicholas Perkins said,
Geordie,
Spot on. Yesterday to me is about celbrating what I feel is the greatest country on earth. We have our share of issues that we need to overcome, and we can’t change the past.
We can change the future, but changing the date of Australia Day just pushes the issue to one side.