Today I experienced what it was like to disagree on a (semi) public forum with “mainstream” Australians. Lesson learnt: It is still completely unacceptable to even try and question the myth of the ANZAC, Mateship, what it is to ‘be’ an Australian and our right to be here, living under the lie of terra nullius: Australia Day.The Australia Day Council’s official website (http://www.australiaday.org.au/experience/page31.asp) states,
“Australia Day, 26 January, is the anniversary of the arrival of the First Fleet of 11 convict ships from Great Britain, and the raising of the Union Jack at Sydney Cove by its commander Captain Arthur Phillip, in 1788.”
So to be clear for those who are unfamiliar with our shining record of colonisation (and I say this seriously as, after what I experienced today, I believe many are unclear) this very day is the beginning of a new Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander reality. The lie of terra nullius (it should be noted that there is no mention of terra nullius being declared or overturned on the timeline provided on the official website) that was in place until overturned in 3 June 1992, begins to provide the infrastructure for a regime of discrimination, violence, apartheid and eventual attempts at assimilation. Today we are meant to be in a phase of reconciliation.
“On Australia Day we recognise the unique status of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. The Australia Day National Network is committed to playing a part in the journey of reconciliation through helping all Australians move forward with a better understanding of the past and how it affects the lives of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people today.” (http://www.australiaday.org.au/experience/page78.asp)
So I woke up prepared to think about “…the past and how it affects the lives of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people today.”
The day began like any other – quick check on facebook and throwing up a status update. “Invasion Day. Call it what it is people.”
Well apparently this was also a call to arms to any of my connections who feel today really does celebrate and embrace all that they believe is Australian. I was also surprised at how limited this definition was.
Julia - "Dislike Thomas, just let us enjoy another public holiday & wear tacky crap & eat meat & drink beer & blow fireworks up. You wouldn't dare say that out loud in The Shire!"
Apparently I should also not say it online!
Michael #1 - "Im disgusted that so many people have fought and died to make this country what it is so you can voice those opinions and you spit on it with comments like that. Maybe you'd be happier renouncing your citizenship."
Michael #2 - "Sorry for what? What did i do! If i want to celebrate Australia, yes Australia, i will! Its not anyone else fault that you associate it with White man fucking it for everyone else. Should i be ashamed of having white skin too. And what the fuck has Nationalism got to do with it! Its a free country, if you dont like it go else where unlike what you cant do in a lot of places in the world. If you dont want to celebrate australia day dont, it your choice, or even better have your own celebration on how you see fit instead of bitching about everyone else enjoying the day and being so disgusted in everyone for not thinking like yourself. Sorry we are not as "enlightened" as you guys and your educted point of view............................."
Craig - "I think our country's dirty laundry has been well aired Kath. I for one am proud of this great nation we live in. I feel blessed to be here, not ashamed. Find me a single place on earth that doesn't have something bad in it's past. Today is a day of celebration, not sorrow and shame and soapboxes. If you are so upset to be one of us, you can renounce your citizenship for a small fee. The forms are online. "
Jon - "Can I "like" Craigs last comment twice? Or would the double "like" create a rift in the Facebook-time continuum?"
Craig - "Surround yourself with unemployed freaks from Newtown all you like, but never defame the Anzac name or tradition when you have never fought for a thing in your life, and been handed most. They are much better and braver men and women than either you or I. How dare you? You hide behind political correctness, but refuse debate. Deplorable. If your views are so correct, why do you fear why I have to say?"
So to be clear again – because I do not agree with the traditional idea of “Australia Day”, and instead feel that the ATSI community really do have a case for this day representing a celebration of the invasion of their country, culture and lives, I am personally now being accused of ‘bitching’, ‘airing dirty laundry’, asked to rethink my citizenship, and labelled as being insensitive to all those soldiers who fought and died for our country.
Un-Australian?
Sorry?
The Australia Day Council claims:
“On Australia Day we recognise the unique status of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. The Australia Day National Network is committed to playing a part in the journey of reconciliation through helping all Australians move forward with a better understanding of the past and how it affects the lives of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people today.” (http://www.australiaday.org.au/experience/page78.asp)
If my own facebook experience today is anything to go by, I’m feeling like there is not quite enough being done to achieve this.
