more than just a post
It might feel like the right thing to post on social media that we should change the date for ‘Australia Day’ but here’s a hard pill to swallow - if that’s all you do to encourage social change - it’s a bit of a hollow gesture, even if the intentions originate from a place of goodness.
Changing the date is a great idea, a step in the right direction for a more inclusive day to celebrate what Australia is (at this point in time).
In its current form, Australia Day is a farce. It’s dressed up in patriotism and unity, but it’s not inclusive, not for many non- white Australians and definitely not for First Nations. And please, enough with the patriotic bullshit, no country is the best country in the world, we all have our unique problems. We’re not even an independent republic yet, we still report to the British Royal family, asking for their consent on matters of political management of this country. Don’t forget, the role of a Governor General is to report back to the Crown. The same Crown that encouraged and supported hundreds of years of pain and suffering from the machine of colonisation.
Blind patriotism is often deeply rooted in ignorance and embraces a singular viewpoint. Its danger is that it closes off consideration of other cultural perspectives, even those within our own country. At times, it’s evident that racism is thinly vailed as patriotism. We’ve all seen it, does denying it make you complicit? Probably. Patriotism also often leans towards an absolutist view with a singular cultural perspective; ‘we’re the best, they’re not’ - ‘my view of this country is the right view, other views are incorrect’ etc. It’s dangerous.
Issues around patriotism are best kept for a later conversation, but from a philosophical perspective, what is a nation? It definitely has something to do with invisible geographical boundaries drawn by humans. Patriotism relates to where you were born, an event informed by pure chance. The systemic influence of patriotic thought is what’s holding back intelligent and respectful conversations around changing the date (and many other related issues requiring deep and challenging conversations that inform change).
Fact - Australia is not white. Just because your family spans 5-6 generations doesn’t mean your white view of Australia is justified, or right. There’s 65,000+ years of continuous living culture here. We’re the only country in the world with this cultural history, and it’s still alive. Did you know we have stone structures older than the Great Pyramid of Giza, they’re located at Budj Bim in South Western Victoria and have been inscribed into UNESCO’s World Heritage List.
Changing the date for Australia to celebrate a day of unity is positive, don’t get me wrong, I fully support it. But if we do that, we should also have a date, perhaps on the 26th January, where we respectfully acknowledge the pain and suffering of First Nations caused by our dark history of colinisation. If we can spend a day respectfully acknowledging our history of fighting wars (often for other countries), then why can’t we have a day to acknowledge the impacts of our colonial past?
A colonial past of deliberate premeditated acts of murder, inhumane systemic practices of governance which have inflicted generational trauma, trauma that every non-aboriginal person living in Australia benefits from. Every city and town in this country are built on stolen land. We can’t change the past, but we can contribute to a better future and present. Acknowledging our past is an important step to healing our national future. Take a moment to view that experience as a First Nation person. It helps with perspective.
Social change often starts with conversation, and the change the date conversation is a good conversation to have. Especially with people that are deeply rooted in maintaining the status quo and not open to differing views, those often lacking some level of empathy and compassion.
Perspective is always an important factor required for effective social change. Perspective shifts often arrive because we become better informed. So let’s get informed.
In an ideal Australia, everyone, at a bare minimum, should know what First Nations country they’re living in. There’s no expectation for you to know the boundaries of every nation, but it would be a positive change for us to better understand which country we're in. There are plenty of resources online to find this information very easily. I often work on Wurundjeri country, we’re working on restoring land on Dja Dja Wurrung country, and my kids, partner and I live part time on Wadawurrung country. It’s not a difficult thing to learn, and it’s a simple and respectful action to acknowledge. Trying is better than doing nothing.
We have a dark and violent colonial history, one that was conveniently not taught at most schools until recently. Older Austrlians often have no idea about our settler past because it was deliberately hidden. So for a perspective shift it’s a good thing to DIY and learn about Australia's true history. Sadly there’s no shortage of documented settler wars that speak of the deliberate massacre of First Nations, not just the hunting parties but also the grotesque poisoning of waterways with arsenic and strychnine in an effort to murder First Nations by settlers, often sanctioned by authorities in the name of economic prosperity and growth.
What can you do to be more supportive, to help promote positive change?
Start by becoming an ally. Support First Nation artists and organisations. It’s an easy way to show support, with your wallet. Buy some art or merch and help support the same way you’d support a hip, independent artisan crafter or brewer.
Most of us consume social media in one way or another. To see what’s current, I’d suggest following a bunch of First Nation accounts including organisations, individuals, artists and activists. Some of my favorites are: @dreamtime_aroha @clothingthegaps @place_names_in_addresses @firstpeoplesvic @reconciliationaus
Take more notice.
Make an effort to keep up with the news, like the progress on Ularu Statement and Voice to Parliament. Listen, take notice, stay informed, voice your opinion, be open and respectfully engage in intelligent conversations.
Victoria is leading the way with the Yoorrook Justice Commission and truth telling. Make an effort to learn what Treaty is and why it’s important. This much needed truth telling process will help inform Treaty in Victoria, and will set the standard for the rest of Australia. Victoria is currently the only state proactively taking this path towards healing.
Consume First Nations content, movies, books and art. It changes your perspective. 10 Canoes still resonates with me after all these years, do recommend. Learn via creative content, it’s easy and informative.
If you want to see change, and that change involves a peaceful public protest, put your marching shoes on and walk as an ally. It’s old fashioned democracy but it's still effective.
Don’t assume that I think I have all the answers, I don’t, I’m learning all the time. However, I do know this - as a collective we need to be more proactive in our actions if we’re ever going to see the change we need. Change is rarely born from apathy.
I’d love to see an Australia where we celebrated the landscape as a living culture, where we authentically acknowledged First Nations culture to the point that it was at the forefront informing our cultural identity, no matter our individual background.
Consider what you celebrate on Australia day.
What is the core value of this national day of celebrating? What does it really mean to you and is it inclusive of First Nations? You decide what action you want to take from there.
Finally, let’s not forget that Australia Day in its current form has only been consistently marked as a public holiday by all states and territories since 1994. Colonised Australia has only 235 years of history, Federation didn’t happen until 1901. First Nations have 65,000+ years of continuous cultural history and sovereignty was never ceded. It’s historically accurate to say Australia was stolen by force and continues to be. This needs to be acknowledged by the Australian public if we’re ever to see healing.
