As I sit here on Survival Day, or what's traditionally known as Australia Day, the usual arguments fill news feeds and articles about this date. It's a odd and divisive day, marked by very contrasting perspectives. For some, it's a time to celebrate in the good bloody luck of living in this beautiful southern land, perhaps enjoying a a long weekend with friends down the coast or in the bush. But for others, particularly Indigenous Australians, it's a day of sorrow.
Australia day isn't just a date; it's a loaded symbol. It marks the the arrival of the First Fleet in 1788 at Port Jackson in New South Wales, leading to over two centuries of oppression, genocide, massacres, stolen generations, and an enduring intergenerational trauma that continues to disadvantage many to this day, despite some saying 'it's over' and Indigenous Australians 'should get over it'. Many of us do acknowledging the historical pain, horrified at others who dismiss discussions around it, calling for unity without understanding the very uneven playing field of Australia cultural experiences.
There's also the plea to change the date, at least. No harm done, right? It'd just nod to the need for Indigenous people to mark the day as one of sorrow at what's happened (just like we do with World War One and Gallipoli, for example) whilst still giving us all the chance to celebrate the good things about this nation. There's never any move to shift the date, though. I find myself leaning towards the idea that a good compromise might be to shift the celebration to a at least the following day so we still mark the long weekend tradition while also being mindful of the historical significance attached to the 26th.
In a seemingly new tradition of challenging historical symbols, statues of figures like Captain Cook and Queen Victoria have faced vandalism. Personally, I've never been one to venerate historic figures, especially when their deeds are questionable. Captain Cook's interactions with Indigenous people were fraught with misunderstandings, cultural clashes, and conflictsβnot just on Australian soil. Monuments that serve as overt symbols of European colonization seem outdated to me, reflecting our resistance to change and evolve as a nation. Just because a monument has stood for a hundred years doesn't mean it should stand for another hundred. Vandalism might not be the ideal solution, but there's a part of me that feels a subtle joy when statues like these topple. After all, history isn't always worth celebrating; it's worth remembering, but not necessarily putting on a pedestal.
How important is the colony, after all? Is it worth immortalising in stone?
I was also viewing a recent incident in a Facebook group where a woman faced backlash for flying an Indigenous flag from her van awning. The incident exposes the double standards around Australia Day discussions, where we can be free to express support for Australia Day whilst supressing those who disagree with this celebration - and again underlining the need for respectful dialogue and acknowledgment of diverse perspectives.
A call by Peter Dutton to boycott Woolworths for not selling enough Australia Day merchandise can also be criticized for diverting attention from more pressing issues. Why is it that we can't see such antagonistic rallying cries for what they are - diversions from real challenges like housing crisis, cost of living, the rich getting richer, and so on? Why on earth do we care about a supermarket selling merch or not? Go to the supermarket that does if you want it that badly. End of. Whatever.
Despite the divisive debates, there are moments of mroe positive action, like the admin of said Facebook group promptly removing overtly racist members not afraid to show their true colours. The call for kindness and understanding is becoming a real rallying cry, urging everyone to reflect on what it truly means to live in Australia and to consider the experiences of others on this day of all days.
As this country continues to grapple with its identity, it should consider what it really means to be "the lucky country" for everyone, not just for ourselves, and try not to get distracted by those who'd have us believe we are more divided than we actually are.
Just be fucking nice to each other. That's what it means to live on the earth, never mind the country you live in. You'd be forgiven for thinking that's not what it means to be human, given events of late. Maybe it's just about flag waving, and eviscerating people with the flagpole that don't agree with you.
Except you can't buy those from Woolies anymore. Allegedly.