Australia Day.
I am conflicted about this day. I love where I live and the many, many opportunities it has granted our family but I find it hard to shy away from the fact that today over 200 years ago marked an incredible turning point for Indigenous Australians.
This is far from a political blog. I just need to get that out there. I am all too aware that it may seem hypocritical of me that I took my family along to a Australia Day event in Canberra but I do know that today I acknowledged the sadness that this day marks for Indigenous Australians. I am only one person but I am sorry for what the “discovery” of this beautiful country meant for the First Australians.
So here are my beautiful Australians:
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| {Harper loves her Daddy. And I love that Daddy had the day off. } |
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| {Harper by Lake Burley Griffin} |
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| {Um, yes? What is it you would like? } |
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| {Fighter jet display over the lake.} |
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| {Finn counting the jets that flew over } |
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| {watching the soldiers march} |
Good on you Amber. I couldn't agree more. I appreciate the opportunities that I am granted living in this awesome country and feel so much shame that the costs of these opportunities are not adequately acknowledged, let alone atoned for.
ReplyDeleteI could go on. And on. But as you say, this is probably not the place to do so. I'm very pleased, however, that you bought this up. Happy Australia/Sorry day to you.
Thank you Sarah for your honest and thoughtful reply. I really do appreciate it. Part of me wanted to just post the pictures and exclude my words but it has been nagging at me all day and I just couldn't let it go.
DeleteI am a Kindergarten teacher who has taught a handful of beautiful Indigeous students. I am sadden (and sickened) by the disadvantages that they encounter every single day.
I am so proud to be Australian but at the same time I do think this day means something completely different to its orginal owners :( That makes me feel uneasy.
x
I totally agree with you Amber. I didn't touch on this on my post but I completely think it is sad that this part of Australia Day is not more recognised as a fact.
ReplyDeleteBeautful pics by the way, I love when you do little photo essays :)
I think your post was beautiful Andi. That's the thing, this country is so wonderful in so many ways (just like in the way it provided your family many opportunities that wouldn't have occured if you had stayed in Croatia)but there is this dark, dark history that still impacts so negatively on some Australians.
DeleteThanks for commenting Andi. Your support is always appreciated. x
I feel the same. <3
ReplyDelete:( It's a strange feeling isn't?
DeleteThanks for commenting :)
Well said Amber! Great picture of the jets. Canberra can be a very wonderful place when it isn't so hot or cold. :) my4boysandme
ReplyDeleteThanks!
Deleteyes I agree, Canberra is great when it is neither of those things! ...which isn't very often ;)
I think Kevin Rudd apologising to the traditional owners of Australia was a defining moment of this century. We truly are blessed to live in such a great country. Couldn't agree more with your words. And your photos are gorgeous!
ReplyDeleteI was thinking about Kevin Rudd's speech today too. I watched it with our entire school (as a teacher). I know the kids didn't get the gravity of the apology but I do know that the teachers were in awe of such an important moment in our history.
DeleteI cried when Kevin Rudd apologised.
DeleteSo many of us feel so conflicted about this day.
I am so glad to have been born in a time and a place where being a woman is not the danger it has been and remains for some.
I am thankful for the many, many blessings I have recieved because of the lucky acident of my birth.
And then the hate and ignorance spewed forth by some 'proud Aussies' makes me feel deep shame.
I hope that in the future this day is an easier one for my daughter. One where the sins of the past have been atoned for, and are not perpetrated anew. And one in which nobody thinks of 'multicultural' as a dirty word.
gorgeous photos Amber and so glad you got to go out to the lake! and yes I feel the same... almost wish they could just choose a different date so we could celebrate our blessings in being Australian without stamping all over a day that represents so much loss for so many as well.
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