Happy Australia Day, and as is my wont most years, also happy Indian Republic Day. Thankfully the overt jingoism that occured in Australia for several years seems to have toned down since Covid lockdowns. The genuine celebrations of our country's achievements and what it is to be Australian are wonderful, but protests become louder. I've long thought the date should change to reduce friction.
It's not such a happy Invasion Day for Australia's indigenous population.
The new ABC tv programme Always Was Tonight is quite challenging satire to watch, and it's been a while since the ABC has made anything that upsets conservative types.
Those usual types are on the warpath, aided and abetted by the the conservative Murdoch media, The Australian and Daily Mail.
The white head coverings in this clip are called spit hoods, and I don't necessarily agree with not using them. Staff who work in these places don't deserve to be spat upon, unless their own behaviour has been bad.
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Well, Andrew, you made me cry. Hard. What awful days we are living in.
ReplyDeleteDebby, it is sad, but to balance things out, many of those who are in custody have done very bad things.
DeleteI hadn't realised the scale of indigenous youth incarceration until I looked it up just now. I had assumed that this was sonething that had been addressed many years ago but obviously I was wrong.
ReplyDeleteJayCee, as above, many would have done very bad things. There is no easy solution, but we must keep trying.
DeleteFirst Nation people didn't get citizenship till 1967.. what sort of democracy were we previously??
ReplyDeleteMy late aunty was an Aboriginal woman who was voting before 1967. I think because she was married to a white man she was given "special consideration". But yes, I agree with the general principle of your comment.
DeleteSeems very silly that those who were here first didn't have (weren't allowed) citizenship.
DeleteThere was no such thing as citizenship in the early days, just people working hard to build a country from scratch.
DeleteInteresting James. I am not aware of the special consideration conditions.
DeleteRiver, it is rather shocking that the right to vote for indigenous did not happen until 1967, overwhelming endorsed by a voting question at an election.
DeleteI had tickets to the recording of the first episode of the show, but couldn't make it as I was just home from hospital. I watched it back and enjoyed it very much. I LOVE that it was challenging. I also laughed out loud a few times. I was in the city today and for most of the town I could see no one wearing Australian flags or clothing, much like in the past, until right at the end. And then suddenly there was maybe a dozen people wearing flags as capes.
ReplyDeleteThanks James. Melbourne were full of protests, mostly supporters of indigenous rights, with a small minority of protestors in support of Australia. One would guess white Australia supporters.
DeleteI've been looking for a new show to watch. I may need to wait until I feel strong before I watch though.
ReplyDeleteA couple of year back my employer said we could choose to work on Jan 26 and I would happily do so but my work days are Tues & Thurs so I can't exactly just announce I'm working Monday. One day i will be able to make my protest.
Kylie, for your sake I hope you retire before that opportunity arises.
DeleteTerrible. Of course, there's similar places in the U.S. too.
ReplyDeleteI think Canada might do it better with its indigenous people than your and my country. I don't really know enough.
DeleteThat clip made me cry. I wish I understood how governents think and why they do these awful things. There has to be a better way. All they do is throw money at the problems, which is NEVER a fix.
ReplyDeleteAs for "invasion day", I don't like that term. We are not the only country where white people came in and took over, yet other countries don't focus on "invasion day". I think we should keep Australia Day as it always has been, changing the date won't make any difference to those who are never happy no matter how much we try to appease them. All the things done way back in history were done by people long dead, the current population should not be blamed. Hurt and heartbreak need to be moved on from, though these historical events still need to be taught in schools. I also believe Indigenous ways and cultures should also be taught in schools, we live here so it is part of our history and shouldn't be ignored. There is no harm in the exchanging of ideas and learning other ways that people do things.
River, just reminding you that those incarcerated have done bad things, and that is why they are there. Money had been thrown, effort has been put in, caring people are involved, but it is still a bad situation.
DeleteThe day was so awful in Melbourne city. It is such a divisive day, dating to when English arrived into Australia and took over the country. I say change the date to a day that does not disturb our indigenous population. I generally agree with the rest of what you wrote.
What day and time is this show aired? I don't have a tv guide and rarely buy newspapers so never know more than the other channels news time, 6pm.
ReplyDeleteIt was on Wednesday night, but it seems there is a David Bowie special at the same time next week. You can watch what I saw on ABC iView.
DeleteHaven't watched that show yet. As a new Australian I don't know if changing a date to celebrate Australia would make a difference. A lot of countries in the world colonized other countries, mistreated the native population....but also developed those countries. 238 years after settlement I'm not sure the current population should be blamed for "invasion day". Let's celebrate what a wonderful and peaceful country Australia still is!
ReplyDeleteGood to read a happy post from my home city.
DeleteSami, we can't feel personally guilty for what happened in the past but it would be so good to make a better future by finding a day less disagreeable to our indigenous.
DeleteI thought I posted a comment but it's not here - must have touched something and it disappeared.
DeleteI agree with River, totally.
We had a good Australia Day, we remembered along with B's eldest sister who came to visit for the afternoon the death of their mother many years ago, Andrew. Lovely memories.
Yes Margaret, that happens.
DeleteAside from changing the day, I generally agree with River too.