In the spirit of 'Arousing Interest': Australia Day
Posted by Faz on January 19, 2018, 4:32 pm
Australia Day has never been unifying
Fatima Measham
Let's be clear. Australia Day, in its various iterations over the life of the commonwealth, has never been unifying. The earliest form on record was an exclusive dinner party in 1817 attended by 40 people at the postmaster's house, marking the anniversary of the New South Wales colony.
Subsequent affairs were private and 'official', given that the convicts that comprised most of the population at the time 'were not encouraged to celebrate', and probably were not inclined anyway. Hardly an egalitarian background for a national day.
..ought celebrate their origins. Aborigines in Australia ought to celebrate their ancestors' journey across the seas . Why not? That's where they came from. In 2012, the results of large-scale genotyping has indicated that Aboriginal Australians, the indigenous peoples of New Guinea and the Mamanwa, an indigenous people of the southern Philippines are closely related, having diverged from a common origin approximately 36,000 years ago - . That origin is believed to be out of Africa.
It is believed that the first early human migration to Australia was achieved when this landmass formed part of the Sahul continent, connected to the island of New Guinea via a land bridge.
Ochre images found in Indonesian caves are at least as ancient as the oldest-known European rock art.
Re: In the spirit of 'Arousing Interest': Australia Day
Tribalism in all its manifestations is never just a matter of flag waving, but of a determination to lord it over those assumed to be inferior to the majority.
I'm an avid reader of the works of the Irish author, James Joyce who along with several other Irish authors of note, such as Samuel Beckett, and Oscar Wilde while expressing their deepest love for the country of origin much preferred to live well away from Ireland, with James Joyce continuing to use his British passport, rather than opt for an Irish passport...ensuring that in the eyes of the Irish state he would remain persona non grata until more recent years when an Irish warship was named in his honour. Talk about bitter grapes.
James Cook might well feel proud of today's Australia when recognising that despite the many inequalities that exist between the various Aboriginal communities, and more recent immigrants Australians can be proud of their achievements creating an egalitarian society that is envied by many those of us happy to note that civilisation begins with a good cricket team that wins, and wins, and wins....
Those who are ashamed to be Australian should go somewhere they think is better.
They won’t, of course, because in their rare honest moments, they realise just how good it is to be Australian.
In passing, I fail to see the religious or moral content in this discussion; quoting from Eureka Street, with its marked secular leftist bent doesn’t justify its use on this board.
Arguing over minor differences regarding historical dates, as Measham does in her early paragraphs, is pure sophism. For decades January 25th has been, with whatever degree of arbitrariness is alleged, accepted as the day on which we celebrate our nation, and has been unifying for those seeking unity. Others, despite their protestations, do not want unity, as they thrive on division.
Measham bleats:
Australia Day excludes Indigenous peoples past and present, and casually erases the incalculable cost that underwrote this country, which they continue to pay.
In what way does Australia Day exclude indigenous people, except those who might choose to exclude themselves? And in what way are they still paying?
: Those who are ashamed to be Australian : should go somewhere they think is better.
No need for that John, Australia is big enough for the likes of you.
: They won’t, of course, because in their rare : honest moments, they realise just how good : it is to be Australian.
Where we can express an opinion about Australia day? Yes, it is good.
: In passing, I fail to see the religious or : moral content in this discussion; quoting : from Eureka Street, with its marked secular : leftist bent doesn’t justify its use on this : board.
That's OK, John, I fail to see the value of giving us the benefit of the opinions of The Lepanto Institute and Milo Yiannopoulos but they have a talent for 'arousing interest'.
: Arguing over minor differences regarding : historical dates, as Measham does in her : early paragraphs, is pure sophism. For : decades January 25th has been, with whatever : degree of arbitrariness is alleged, accepted : as the day on which we celebrate our nation, : and has been unifying for those seeking : unity. Others, despite their protestations, : do not want unity, as they thrive on : division.
A very divisive view of others who have a different opinion to you, I think.
: Measham bleats: Australia Day excludes : Indigenous peoples past and present, and : casually erases the incalculable cost that : underwrote this country, which they continue : to pay. In what way does Australia Day : exclude indigenous people, except those who : might choose to exclude themselves? And in : what way are they still paying?
I see you've not lost your exceptional talent for the loaded question, John.
