OT: Current Affairs and Politics

[hindy111]

It's a contentious issue. I use the term 'celebrate' loosely regarding Australia Day. In my life's journey there was a time when it was a day off work and merkins would get on the piss using AD as a reason. There were also times when us locals would block off the street, collectively cook snags on a makeshift BBQ and have fun playing street cricket with the kids. We spent an OZ day on Sydney Harbour about 10 years ago - the buzz was electric. Should I feel shame for all of that? Nowadays they are chipping around the edges to get at least get it changed to another day, which will most likely be called a totally different name. In itself, the new day's date (if it ever happens) will be decided by an intense waste of time and money.

As a Mediterranean Descendant boy we didn't celebrate it. It was just a day off. No fuss.
IMO when those Cronulla riots happened something changed with Australia day.

 

[Eelogical]

As a Mediterranean Descendant boy we didn't celebrate it. It was just a day off. No fuss.
IMO when those Cronulla riots happened something changed with Australia day.

A an English convict descendant I was taught that AD was a day of national pride. But now we're being pushed in to thinking that it's a national day of shame. It's become an industry, just like another industry that's sweeping the world.

 

[hindy111]

A an English convict descendant I was taught that AD was a day of national pride. But now we're being pushed in to thinking that it's a national day of shame. It's become an industry, just like another industry that's sweeping the world.

I'll be honest. Growing up us Mediterranean Descendants didn't like English people a whole lot. We thought they where smart arses and a bit up them self. My opinion has changed as I grew and learned but that's how my parents felt about English people.

 

[Eelogical]

I'll be honest. Growing up us Mediterranean Descendants didn't like English people a whole lot. We thought they where smart arses and a bit up them self. My opinion has changed as I grew and learned but that's how my parents felt about English people.

I can understand that. There was a time where white Australia was a real thing. Times have changed since then, but it’s not perfect and never will be. How we see ourselves as a nation going forward is for the new generations to determine. But I can tell you this, activists will never let up, they’ll always find a new pet cause to jump on. Before youknow it we’ll be having this same discussion in late April. The only thing that will change is the name of the day. Even Christmas is under threat.

 

[hindy111]

I can understand that. There was a time where white Australia was a real thing. Times have changed since then, but it’s not perfect and never will be. How we see ourselves as a nation going forward is for the new generations to determine. But I can tell you this, activists will never let up, they’ll always find a new pet cause to jump on. Before youknow it we’ll be having this same discussion in late April. The only thing that will change is the name of the day. Even Christmas is under threat.

Yes exactly. Why I am not fussed. I can see both sides of the coin. Being that we never celebrated it I have no strong emotional attachment to it and so feel it would be better for others to decide who feel the day means more to them.
Being Australian is more about not being a dickhead and just being good down to earth person.

 

[the phantom menace]

I don't think the two public holidays at Christmas are under threat... And neither is our national day holiday, nor ANZAC Day.

But to be honest, who gives a rats what they're called, or when they're held? Not worth getting knickers in a knot about such things, other than to support more Australians feeling included in the holidays.

 

[Suitman]

Just a thought as I'm not in a good place this week.

But why can't we introduce a 2nd National Day Public Holiday?
Leave Australia Day where it is and for what it is currently celebrated for and have a 2nd day as an Indigenous Public Holiday.
Could both then not be celebrated equally?
I actually think over time Indigenous Day would then become our main Australian public celebration of our national pride.
Or could this become divisive? I would hope not.

 

[Gary Gutful]

Australia Day seems plenty political enough these days so I assume it's fine enough to discuss it in a civil manner in this thread. I'm generalising, but it seems that the chorus of discontent surrounding 26/1 continues to get stronger each year. My stance is no surprise to my personal real life peers. Like most Aussies I celebrate the day like I always have. A beer and a BBQ, friends. It's not a bad thing to do considering I had no involvement in events from over two centuries ago, but I'm increasingly being made to feel like I was part of an invasion and that we should choose another day to 'celebrate' Australia. Thoughts/comments?

I get where you are coming from, but I've never really celebrated the day or done anything "pro aussie".

I think the reaction against the day is a little over the top, but equally if someone wants to change the day and the focus I'm OK with that as well.

Basically, as long as I get a day off work I don't care when it is or what its about. I will continue to do boring shit and be a boring merkin on whatever day is deemed preferable.

 

[Gary Gutful]

If the date upset the jews of Bellevue Hill, we’d change the date in a flash. If it upsets our indigenous folk, the conservatives circle the wagons and act like we are drowning kittens.

I don't agree with that.

 

[hindy111]

I get where you are coming from, but I've never really celebrated the day or done anything "pro aussie".

I think the reaction against the day is a little over the top, but equally if someone wants to change the day and the focus I'm OK with that as well.

Basically, as long as I get a day off work I don't care when it is or what its about. I will continue to do boring shit and be a boring merkin on whatever day is deemed preferable.

You should try slapping a piece of lamb in the barbie.

 

[Gary Gutful]

You should try slapping a piece of lamb in the barbie.

I don't have a BBQ, but I'll probably slap my salami at some stage during the day.

 

[hindy111]

I don't agree with that.

It was up there with the dumbest comments I have seen on here.

 

[Incorrect]

I don't have a BBQ, but I'll probably slap my salami at some stage during the day.

You don't have a BBQ?? No wonder you don't really celebrate "Australia" day....

 

[Eelogical]

I get where you are coming from, but I've never really celebrated the day or done anything "pro aussie".

I think the reaction against the day is a little over the top, but equally if someone wants to change the day and the focus I'm OK with that as well.

Basically, as long as I get a day off work I don't care when it is or what its about. I will continue to do boring shit and be a boring merkin on whatever day is deemed preferable.

I’ve never treated it as “pro Aussie” in any way, shape or form. However, I’ve been downtown Sydney on AD and participated in flag waving and AD events. I ‘ve also cringed at the bogan element who’ve got shit-faced and run amok on the day. To me, OZ day is a coming together of all the nations that have contributed to Australia being the country that it is. Finding another day is just covering over part of our history - then we can say “nothing to see here”. Accepting the past, remembering it for what it is and moving forward from that is far less divisive, imo.

 

[hindy111]

I don't have a BBQ, but I'll probably slap my salami at some stage during the day.

I bought a 2nd hand Ziggy off some Irish backpacker who needed the money to travel. Silly rabbit commented how he was leaving in two days. My eyes lit up. Then I screwed him right down to $250. Looks great on my freshly renovated back porch.

 

[hindy111]

Whats worse then grease on Mediterranean Descendants

Cum on Aussies

 

[Eelogical]

I don't think the two public holidays at Christmas are under threat... And neither is our national day holiday, nor ANZAC Day.

But to be honest, who gives a rats what they're called, or when they're held? Not worth getting knickers in a knot about such things, other than to support more Australians feeling included in the holidays.

Give them time. What we take for granted now will become eroded to the point where it wil be too late if nobody gives two f**ks.

 

[Gary Gutful]

You don't have a BBQ?? No wonder you don't really celebrate "Australia" day....

If i get BBQ then it is a slippery slope. All of a sudden I'll start saying "Greatest country in the world" whilst cooking snags, despite only ever visiting 2 states and never travelling overseas.

 

[Gary Gutful]

I’ve never treated it as “pro Aussie” in any way, shape or form. However, I’ve been downtown Sydney on AD and participated in flag waving and AD events. I ‘ve also cringed at the bogan element who’ve got shit-faced and run amok on the day. To me, OZ day is a coming together of all the nations that have contributed to Australia being the country that it is. Finding another day is just covering over part of our history - then we can say “nothing to see here”. Accepting the past, remembering it for what it is and moving forward from that is far less divisive, imo.

Why do we always need a f**ken day to remind us to do the right thing FFS?

A bit like RUOK day when self interested f**kwits pretend to care about mental health and then spend 364 days ignoring it.

 

[Eelogical]

You don't have a BBQ?? No wonder you don't really celebrate "Australia" day....

He probably doesn’t like Sam Newman or the 2023 AD lamb commercial.