What the hell is with Australia Day?

Many years ago, when I was still on Facebook, I wrote a comment about Australia Day and did something that was seemingly unforgiveable to many of my friends. Indeed, some of them bagged me, some of them belittled me and called me out for this and that, and I have to tell you, it kind of bothered me. But before I get to that, let me just state my OWN personal views on Australia Day.

As a lazy, lazy white male, specifically an Australian white male, I rarely give a crap about the actual holiday of Australia Day beyond getting a day off work. I've been aware of what it was commemorating - the arrival of the First Fleet in NSW, Port Jackson I believe, way back in 1788 - for many years. I learnt about it in school back in the mid-1980s, in fact I remember it quite clearly because we were taught all about the people who arrived, the people in charge, the roles of all involved as well as the history preceding it all (Captain Cook etc) and the Governors and settlements that followed (William Bligh etc). It was a reasonably thorough summary of the whole event and what it meant. There was mention of "Aborigines", but nothing substantial.

That was it.

Nobody likes it when people drop by unannounced.

Now being the inquisitive lad that I was, I spoke about it with my family as well and it was at this point that we discussed the whole OTHER aspect of the issue, that being, the folks who were already living here when the First Fleet arrived. Interestingly enough, as part of this school unit on Australian History (this was in Grade 6) we then ALSO learnt about Aboriginal History, or part thereof. 

It's certainly a significant bit of history to know about, but that doesn't equate to unabashed celebrations and proclamations of how fantastic we are because, see that bit of art just above? There are a couple of guys in that painting for whom the celebrations probably would feel somewhat insulting.

So for me, I kind of look at Australia Day a bit like someone letting rip a fart, saying "God, I feel so much better now" and not caring that there are others in the room. I also am aware that in that context, it wasn't my fart and I'm possibly oblivious to the smell, but much like how when someone says "Do you smell that?", you only really notice it once it has been brought to your attention.

I smell the fart - that's my view on Australia Day.

Now, what was it I said that offended my friends? Well, someone had posted a picture of a BBQ burger flipper from Bunnings and said something along the lines of BBQs now being racist. My response was to comment on Australia Day and add in parentheses...(if some find it offensive).

That's it.

Looking back at that time fills me with several different feelings, none of which need to be fleshed out, but as far as offering an opinion on Australia Day? Well, I am actually Australian, so I have an opinion. You just read it.

Should we change the date? I'd have no objection to it, because we're not actually celebrating the arrival of the First Fleet anymore. At least the ignorance of people's responses when asked what the date commemorates would indicate that the majority of Australians would have no idea what happened on the 26th January in the past, aside from "...we had a barbie at Dazza's house," and probably downed half a dozen stubbies. The history of the event is meaningless, excepting the need for Australians to have a day off work. So in my view, those arguing against changing the date are coming from a position whereby the history doesn't matter to them one iota, whereas those for whom the date change IS important, quite probably know their history.

How Australian can you get?

See how it's offensive to some and not others? That doesn't make those saying "keep the date" racist. It doesn't make them pricks, it's just like a lot of things we struggle with in Australia, if it requires an explanation as to why something has to happen, there's resistance. Look at kids or old people. They're often not too flash with change because they're either contrary little buggers or simply set in their ways. Australians are a bit like that across the board, resistant to change....just because. Add to that the fact that they don't like being "preached to" by "inner city woke types" and, well, it's a bit awkward. 

There's a commercial on television at the moment promoting Australia Day and it includes a variety of people, including some First Australians. So to all the white folks from a European ancestral background reading this who support changing the date for Australia Day, what would you say to these people? Would you consider their participation in this campaign to be offensive?

See, sometimes I think people need to take the foot off the accelerator to "Offended Town" and have a view, but perhaps not feel the need to slap everyone around the ears with it. You can feel strongly about something without needing to be preachy. 

llama
@SirWonderLlama