William Tecumseh Sherman said, “War is the remedy that our enemies have chosen, and I say let us give them all they want.”
Recently elected Northcote MP Lidia Thorpe is the first Aboriginal woman elected to Victoria’s parliament. She wants our Australian flag lowered to half-mast on Australia Day in recognition of the suffering of her people. Greens Leader Richard Di Natale who yesterday was advocating for a change of date from January 26th, supports Ms Thorpe. He stated, “She is one of the people we have listened to along with so many other Aboriginal people.” But I note Mr Di Natale only ever listens to those Aboriginal people who share his divisive opinions.
Lidia Thorpe states (in so many words) we must atone for the suffering endured; 200 plus years ago. If her people suffered then it’s fair to say so did our people. I use the term ‘our people’ because Ms Thorpe does not consider herself one of us Australians.
When I say our people I’m talking about our forefathers, the convicts who were dragged onto boats and transported to a penal colony halfway around the world. Many of our people were shackled in chains, many others died during the journey. Our forefathers were ripped away from their families often for committing the most minor of crimes. Why is their suffering never mentioned or recognised? People like Ms Thorpe conveniently forget our forefathers weren’t given a choice. Likewise, the troops who accompanied them weren’t given one either. Should we be demanding atonement for their suffering? Perhaps we should also be demanding atonement for.our suffering on behalf of our forefathers. It only seems fair does it not?
If we cave in and change the date or fly the flags at half mast it will fix nothing. In reality it wouldn’t matter what day we held Australia Day on people like Lidia Thorpe would still have an issue. Why? Because they will forever be victims and it doesn’t matter what we do, it won’t fix the problem.
Ms Thorpe states flying the flags at half mast will be the start of the process of healing. I say garbage. We have thrown billions of dollars at this community it hasn’t healed them and neither did saying sorry. Granting them native title over half the country hasn’t healed them nor has allowing them to slaughter animals like Turtles and Dugongs and carve them up while they are still alive. So I figure changing Australia Day to another date is not going do the trick either. The demands for things to start the healing process remind me of a sushi train, they just keep adding the dishes. There is nothing we can do to cure victimhood. Victims have to cure themselves and they clearly don’t want to.
Australia Day is about recognising the sacrifices of so many over the past 200 plus years. And to recognise and celebrate what makes this country great. In 1935, January 26 was named Australia Day although the tradition of celebrating January 26 started well before then. Historical records of celebrations on 26 January date back to 1808. This date is now part of the rich heritage of our country. The bonus of a public holiday came much later.
So if we are to recognise the suffering of our Aboriginal Australians let’s expand it and include all of those who have suffered for this country starting way back with our First Fleeter’s. Let’s forget the BS about flying flags at half-mast and instead give thanks for what those who suffered have given for us. Let’s celebrate their lives and stop apologising for them.
If people like Richard Di Natale want to divide the country siding with one side against the rest of us to me that’s a declaration of war over our heritage. To quote Mr Sherman if, “War is the remedy that our enemies have chosen, and I say let us give them all they want.”
Bring it on…
