It is what it is. I don't see why you should try and ignore or re-write history. Same with renaming streets. Its f**ken stupid and helps no-one.
https://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/na...-racist-boundary-streets-20160129-gmhgi3.html
Brisbane could rename historically racist Boundary streets
Lord Mayor Graham Quirk will consider changing the names of Brisbane's Boundary streets, but only if such a change is embraced by the city's indigenous community.
At least one prominent Aboriginal activist, Sam Watson, has rejected the push, saying Boundary Street in both West End and Spring Hill served as a constant reminder of the horrific treatment of the area's original inhabitants.
Signs at Boundary Street, West End, were changed to 'Boundless Street' by advocates for a name change.
Photo: Change.orgPetitioner Michael Colenso said the names were "outdated" and held Brisbane back from "meaningful progression as a city and peoples committed to truthful and respectful harmony".
Cr Quirk said he understood the sentiment, given the shocking treatment Murris suffered at the hands of early European settlers, and would open a dialogue with local elders about a possible change.
"It's a part of our history that there's not too much pride about, but it is a part of our history nonetheless and a reminder of the prejudices that did used to exist and the limitations of freedom that did used to exist for Aboriginal people in our past," he said.
Cr Quirk said before the street signs came down, he would have to discuss the issue with local elders, with whom he met every six to nine months.
One of those elders, Mr Watson, said he wanted Boundary Street to remain as a reminder of Brisbane's bloody past.
"I think it's important that all people walking through Brisbane and along Boundary Street should be aware of the history of it," he said.
"Mainstream Australia, unfortunately, has this tendency to just keep trying to move on from the more unsavoury aspects of their own history.
"That might help everyone's peace of mind and make them sleep a little better at night, but it doesn't change the fact that there are very bloody and very ugly segments of our joint history together that should not be ignored.
"It should be customarily acknowledged as part of our genuine, true history."
Labor lord mayoral candidate Rod Harding declined to comment on the issue.
Greens lord mayoral candidate Ben Pennings said any change would have to be driven by the local indigenous community.
"It's really important that Brisbane doesn't forget its local history, even though it might make some of us uncomfortable," he said.
"Unless there's a strong and clear call from local Aboriginal people to change street names, we should leave them as they are.
"If we want to get serious about showing respect for Brisbane's Aboriginal community, we need to start a process for signing meaningful treaties and address the local issues directly affecting Aboriginal people."
Cr Quirk said Brisbane City Council would also have to be mindful of the wider community.
"Name changes create significant inconvenience among those people as well, in terms of a change to their house address," he said.
"There's consultation that would have to occur on a number of fronts, but if there is a groundswell view that it ought to be looked at, then we can do that.
"But I think the first step is to see whether there is any genuine appetite from the indigenous community themselves."
Not all Boundary streets or Boundary roads in Brisbane had such racist roots as those in Spring Hill and West End, Cr Quirk said.
The Boundary roads in Coorparoo and Oxley, for example, were so named because they ran along suburban boundaries.
As for the inner-city streets, Cr Quirk said there was still a lot of ignorance about what they actually meant.
"I don't think, in truth, many people in Brisbane really understand what Boundary Street means and its significance in terms of its history," Cr Quirk said.
"It is a part of our history, not a proud part, but a part of our history nonetheless."
