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Long before the 'Black armband view of history'

Posted by Faz on January 26, 2018, 7:10 am

The views among first Australians about today are not uniform, but the granddaughter of the great Doug Nichols presents a compelling case which, among other things, puts to rest the idea that changing the date is a recent phenomenon.

My grandfather protested against Australia Day in 1938. We'll never have a reason to rejoice on that day.
By Ngarra Murray

Eighty years ago on Friday, my grandfather donned a black suit as a sign of mourning and in the hot summer heat, marched in silence through the streets of Sydney.

The 150th anniversary of the landing of the First Fleet in Australia had for others been a time to celebrate — there was a parade and a re-enactment of the landing, with Aboriginal men brought in from a remote area to assist in the re-enactment after Sydney residents refused to participate.

My grandfather, Sir Douglas Nicholls, along with our Uncle William Cooper and about 100 other fellow Indigenous protesters, had to wait patiently for the festivities to pass before they were allowed to march.

One of the first civil rights protests by Indigenous people against their callous and discriminatory treatment in Australia, the gathering was not allowed to enter via the front door when they arrived at the Australian Hall in Elizabeth Street — the protesters were instead told to enter through the back.

On this momentous day in 1938, my grandfather was only 32. He had just retired from a successful career with Fitzroy in the Victorian Football League.

Read on ...

Re: Long before the 'Black armband view of history'

Posted by Alex Caughey on January 26, 2018, 5:12 pm, in reply to "Long before the 'Black armband view of history'"

It's often said that we are a product of our times, with the further thought that symbols such as Australia Day, and flag waiving are best left for those who enjoy picnics. Changing the date of Australia Day will not change the past, anymore than changing the flag's design will change the history of Australia.

Reducing inequalities, and reducing poverty should be the priority for all who aspire to change society for the better.

“You may choose to look the other way but you can never say again that you did not know.”― William Wilberforce

And yet

Posted by Faz on January 26, 2018, 8:35 pm, in reply to "Re: Long before the 'Black armband view of history'"

: Changing the date of Australia Day will not
: change the past, anymore than changing the
: flag's design will change the history of
: Australia.

And yet, countries change flags and dates ... for other reasons.

Re: And yet

Posted by Alex Caughey on January 26, 2018, 9:04 pm, in reply to "And yet"

Captain Cook's ship, "Endeavour" flew the "red duster" leading me to understand that bunting can also be used for cleaning purposes.

A nation's self esteem is never the result of its national symbols, but of its contributions serving the common good, for which the people of Australia should be proud...while recognising that much more needs to be done to assist the Aboriginal communities.

Warts and all

Posted by Faz on January 27, 2018, 4:54 am, in reply to "Re: And yet"

To the extent that a nation's 'self esteem' can be measured, it can't be reduced or represented by symbols.

They're important though and an open community discussion about them can be part of a process of understanding our history, our place in the world now and where we want to go ... warts and all.

PS: Confucus says 'person who speak in riddles, not necessarily wise'.

Re: Warts and all

Posted by Alex Caughey on January 27, 2018, 5:36 am, in reply to "Warts and all"

Life is really simple, but we insist on making it complicated. ~Confucius

I much prefer that politicians devote their time, and energy resolving the day, to day issues that confront their electorate...than worry themselves into an early grave over the design, and colour of their national flag, and the date of Australia Day.

The death of Queen Elizabeth 11 will be the appropriate moment to decide on a new flag, and vote into being a Republican constitution...meantime, I am rather certain that Australia will continue to flourish under its current flag, and constitution.

What is 'appropriate'

Posted by Faz on January 27, 2018, 7:12 am, in reply to "Re: Warts and all"

: I much prefer that politicians devote their
: time, and energy resolving the day, to day
: issues that confront their electorate...than
: worry themselves into an early grave over
: the design, and colour of their national
: flag, and the date of Australia Day.

LOL.

[Straw man: an intentionally misrepresented proposition that is set up because it is easier to defeat than an opponent's real argument.]

My argument, such as it is, is that a national conversation about these issues is worth having for lots of reasons not because it will 'change the past' or that it will risk worrying politicians into an 'early grave'.

: The death of Queen Elizabeth 11 will be the
: appropriate moment to decide on a new flag,

The reasons you hint at above for not changing the flag or the day will not change because the queen dies.

Notwithstanding the respect I believe most Australians have for the queen, I'd like to think we had enough self esteem as a nation to have the discussion when it suited us.

: and vote into being a Republican
: constitution...meantime, I am rather certain
: that Australia will continue to flourish
: under its current flag, and constitution.

I'm also confident that our capacity to flourish won't be adversely affected by having an open, robust discussion about such issues now.

In fact, it's arguably one of our strengths as a nation: we can have strong discussions about matters of national importance and still remain relatively civil.

Europe, on the other hand, has made brutal civil wars an art form.

And even in the 'new world', the US asserted their independence with violence and a century later slaughtered each other.

Ultimately the nature of the discussion and the timing is in our hands. Appropriately.

Re: What is 'appropriate'

Posted by Alex Caughey on January 27, 2018, 7:32 pm, in reply to "What is 'appropriate'"

We are engaging in a discussion with my opinion freely offered. I am waiting for the views of our other contributors.

The relationship between Australia, and the United Kingdom will not change, when Australia changes its constitution, and flag.

The relationship between the UK, and its former New England colonies remains robust.

What is 'robust'?

Posted by Faz on January 28, 2018, 6:33 am, in reply to "Re: What is 'appropriate'"

: We are engaging in a discussion with my
: opinion freely offered. I am waiting for the
: views of our other contributors.

As is mine.

: The relationship between Australia, and the
: United Kingdom will not change, when
: Australia changes its constitution, and
: flag.

The relationship is always changing in significant and subtle ways, but I agree, I don't think changes to our constitution or flag will make a huge difference.

The jury's still out, but it is possible that the most significant change to our relationship with the UK, in the short to medium term, will come in the wake of Brexit.

: The relationship between the UK, and its
: former New England colonies remains robust.

Some more 'robust' than others!

Re: What is 'robust'?

Posted by Alex Caughey on January 28, 2018, 7:38 am, in reply to "What is 'robust'?"

Brexit may never happen when considering the current infighting tearing the Conservative Party to shreds.

I'm betting on a symbolic Brexit with most of the current arrangements with the EC remaining in place, or no Brexit the result of a second referendum.

There is also the faint chance that a general election may be called in 2018 leading to a Labour Party government when Brexit will be "reappraised."

Brexin?

Posted by Faz on January 28, 2018, 2:00 pm, in reply to "Re: What is 'robust'?"

: Brexit may never happen when considering the
: current infighting tearing the Conservative
: Party to shreds.

Interesting. From this distance it's hard to imagine a scenario where it won't happen, but it's also hard to see how such a divided government will make it happen.

: I'm betting on a symbolic Brexit with most
: of the current arrangements with the EC
: remaining in place, or no Brexit the result
: of a second referendum.

Either way, someone will have to mollify the Europeans. That will be a job of Job! :-)

: There is also the faint chance that a
: general election may be called in 2018
: leading to a Labour Party government when
: Brexit will be "reappraised."

You never know and it could see the return of Nigel Farage and his humiliation.

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