Every year since 1888, (white) Australians celebrate Australia Day on January 26th. On this public holiday, there are big fireworks in Sydney, families gather for barbecues and toast the Australian flag.
Other families, especially First Nations People (Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander People), are not at all in the mood to celebrate on this day; rather, this day is a reminder of land theft, mass murder, and trauma.
What exactly is behind the debate and so that you understand the background, we want to discuss in today's episode. Stay tuned and form your own opinion, even if I will express my personal opinion here.
Why January 26th?
On January 26, 1788, the first British fleet, with 11 ships and a crew of 1,023 men under Captain Arthur Phillip, landed in Sydney Cove. The original plan, after Captain Cook discovered the east coast of Australia in 1770, was to land in Botany Bay. However, this was not possible due to weather conditions. Ultimately, the fleet colonized the land of the indigenous "Gadigal People" in Warane (Sydney Cove) as New South Wales.
What is being celebrated?
Every year on Australia Day, supporters, i.e., those who celebrate Australia Day, commemorate the founding of the nation and its present existence. There are parades, fireworks, and the ceremony for the "Australian of the Year Award" is held. The day has been an official national holiday since 1994.
Why does a debate exist?
This question is easy to answer: The so-called Australia Day is the day when Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander People were robbed of their land. On that day, violent colonization began, bringing mass murders, rapes, child abduction, and discrimination for the indigenous people of Australia that continues to this day. Tragically, indigenous peoples still have to fight for the same rights as white Australians. Unfortunately, it is a fact that First Nations People are more often affected by homelessness, they die more frequently in hospitals and prisons, and are still affected by racism and violence in public. Again, these are all facts.
And now imagine you are Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander... every year on so-called Australia Day, you are reminded that your ancestors were massacred, robbed of their land and culture, and that there is still no justice. Would you be in the mood to celebrate then?
When I listen to the Australian old patriots' side, it really makes my stomach turn... statements like "Yes, but it was always on January 26th," "Why should we change the day," "Aborigines get so many benefits." Excuse my language, but that's all just bullshit coming from ignorant minds.
What can and should change?
For years, First Nations People have been demanding that Australia Day be moved to a different date. First Nations people, as well as Australians who oppose the "holiday," also call the day Invasion Day, Survival Day, or Day of Mourning.
January 26th is a traumatic date for the culture and land of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, and after learning more about the history of Australia, I find it disrespectful that there has been no change to this day.
You have to consider that the first official protest against Australia Day was in 1938 for the 150th anniversary of the nation. That was almost 100 years ago. And after many protests, it was decided in 1994 to make the day a nationwide holiday. That is discriminatory, isn't it?
All that is demanded is justice and the truth about the past, that cannot be too much to ask. I think it is important that we in Europe are also educated about the true history of Australia. And not just, "Captain Cook discovered Australia" and that's it. Australia is such a large and beautiful country. Unfortunately, it is a fact that it is a stolen country. It is more than overdue to give something back to the true owners of this land, namely justice, rights, and security, and above all, the truth.
Where you can learn more
I got a lot of my information from the ANTAR website. ANTAR is a committed and active movement of Australians working for the rights, justice, and respect for First Nations People, conducting research and analysis. The link for January 26th can be found here: https://antar.org.au/issues/survival-day/history-of-the-date/
I can also highly recommend a very moving and informative podcast episode by Abby Chatfield. In her podcast "It's a lot," Abby speaks with Travis Lovett, a First Nations man of the Kerrupmara/Gunditjmara people, who actively campaigns for education and justice for First Nations people as the lead chair of the "Yoorrook Justice Commission." The link to the episode on Spotify is here: https://open.spotify.com/episode/0qqIcJb2WVQsF9S377cnXK?si=0315139791ab4ad2
I hope I was able to bring the topic a little closer to you and that you could take something away. Form your own opinion and inform yourself properly.
Safe Travels!
Cheers
Jesko
