Move on to Change Australia Day
Feb 3rd 2018, 5:14 am
#122
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Joined: Jan 2017
Posts: 2,900
Re: Move on to Change Australia Day
That's the key part.
It's not really to do with outside efforts, money, or renaming days. It's to do with inside culture (real culture, not the tourist bits) and the willingness/recognition of the need to change.
The reality is that not only are these cultures broken, but they act against change. Kids are told by their peers in school "why turn up, there's no jobs round here and they will give you money anyway". Even if they do stick around for an education, they are then looked down on for 'getting out' and leaving the community behind to find work/further education. And the vendettas and violence, coupled with the alcohol and drugs, destroys what's left - although not before they have more kids to continue the cycle.
You can't continue with the same model as we have had over the past decades - it just makes it worse. You have to identify the feedback loops (as above) and design interventions that change those loops in a deep and abiding way. And that's going to mean changing the culture ... not the name of days.
It's not really to do with outside efforts, money, or renaming days. It's to do with inside culture (real culture, not the tourist bits) and the willingness/recognition of the need to change.
The reality is that not only are these cultures broken, but they act against change. Kids are told by their peers in school "why turn up, there's no jobs round here and they will give you money anyway". Even if they do stick around for an education, they are then looked down on for 'getting out' and leaving the community behind to find work/further education. And the vendettas and violence, coupled with the alcohol and drugs, destroys what's left - although not before they have more kids to continue the cycle.
You can't continue with the same model as we have had over the past decades - it just makes it worse. You have to identify the feedback loops (as above) and design interventions that change those loops in a deep and abiding way. And that's going to mean changing the culture ... not the name of days.
Overlooked in your post was the impact of unchecked sexual assault and sexual violence, which I believe is the #1 evil that leads to the root of these problems. I do not believe anything can be done until the water to that spring gets cut off across Australia.
Additionally the "skin colour" structure of Aboriginal society which strictly regulates who can date who within the clans, with harsh societal penalties for breaking that, has led to many Romeo-and-Juliet situations for Aboriginal teens. The teenage mind is not wired to be able to handle that in a way the adult mind is, and can react in extreme ways.
The 15 year old who hangs himself, has not done so because he or she is fretting about job prospects five to ten years down the track, and I think it is disingenuous when the media allows vested bureaucrats to try and mislead the public down that path. There is a lot of nasty underneath the surface and until Australian society gets serious about confronting it things will not, and cannot, change.
Aid agencies and NGOs are also often not helpful (but, not always). If problems get solved then their funding gets cut off and well-paid jobs disappear. They are well aware of that.
Feb 3rd 2018, 7:29 am
#123
Lost in BE Cyberspace
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Joined: Oct 2008
Location: Perth
Posts: 6,775
Re: Move on to Change Australia Day
That's the nub of it. Whilst indigenous cultures are to be valued, there comes a point where their insistence on living a quasi ancestral life or excluding themselves from the larger society has detrimental impacts. There is a certain incompatibility. It must be a struggle, however, for the indigenous folk.
In Vietnamese case, they left their (ancestral) home and so are de facto willing to adopt new cultural norms, and join wider society. And, in any case, 20th century Asian society is not that different from Western society at a fundamental level.
In Vietnamese case, they left their (ancestral) home and so are de facto willing to adopt new cultural norms, and join wider society. And, in any case, 20th century Asian society is not that different from Western society at a fundamental level.
The Vietnamese Boat People were of course a totally different proposition most coming from a petite Bourgeoisie cultural background, that included small business and an assortment of professions. They were well versed in the value of capitalism and money making and sought to create wealth.
Even as such a number of their young fell through the cracks and got involved in anti social activities.
Feb 3rd 2018, 8:43 am
#124
Yo
Joined: Nov 2012
Location: UK
Posts: 24,474
Re: Move on to Change Australia Day
I didn't know about that. Is that that thinking still common?
Feb 10th 2018, 1:53 am
#127
Lost in BE Cyberspace
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Location: Hill overlooking the SE Melbourne suburbs
Posts: 16,622
Re: Move on to Change Australia Day
There was no invasion that day. Gov Philip actually saw his men get shot at when he came ashore on a recce. In fact there were locals who wanted to punish their exuberant peers and actaully asked for permission and Philips refused.
What happened next was history and we need to solve it, but there was no invasion. I'm not aware of any military plan or declaration of operations.
When I turn up to a campsite looking for a spot, I'm not wanting to turf out any present occupiers: I turn up in a state of curiosity. Lots of Neanderthals in those spots with loud music of course...
I imagine that was the state Philips came ashore in.
What happened next was history and we need to solve it, but there was no invasion. I'm not aware of any military plan or declaration of operations.
When I turn up to a campsite looking for a spot, I'm not wanting to turf out any present occupiers: I turn up in a state of curiosity. Lots of Neanderthals in those spots with loud music of course...
I imagine that was the state Philips came ashore in.
Feb 10th 2018, 7:13 am
#128
Yo
Joined: Nov 2012
Location: UK
Posts: 24,474
Re: Move on to Change Australia Day
"Neanderthal" is no longer an appropriate pejorative. Hasn't been for well over a decade (if ever). We now know that they were an intelligent and sensitive species.
Feb 10th 2018, 1:17 pm
#129
Lost in BE Cyberspace
Joined: Oct 2005
Location: Hill overlooking the SE Melbourne suburbs
Posts: 16,622
Re: Move on to Change Australia Day
