This newsletter will be used as a great resource to grow a better understanding and perspective on the issues that exist within our society facing Indigenous Australians. Thank you for your efforts!
Thanks Amy for the newsletter and your work and your questions. Growing up as a white settler Australian my views have changed profoundly over the years. As a kid we weren't really a typical Aussie family, no BBQ's or Aussie pride celebrations in my family - there was always a tacit understanding that the history was skewed and that there were justice issues but it was not much spoken about either way really. it was just a public holiday. we didn't celebrate it as such, but we didn't talk about why it might be problematic. As a teenager I went with friends to big fireworks displays, again I've never been nationalistic and that Aussie pride thing has always sat uncomfortably with me, but I did not at that stage have a real awareness of how it must feel to First Nation's people. I was always sympathetic to calling it as invasion day, but I didn't think too much about it really. I think for many years in between I have increasingly ignored Australia day and felt more and more uncomfortable as time went on about it as a day of national celebration. The past couple of years I have marked the day by joining Invasion Day protests, last year in Melbourne. I began a year or two ago to become involved with XR and that led me very quickly to a recognition of the rebellion against extinction, and ecological disaster, First Nations have been engaged in since colonisation. Also to think more critically than I ever have before about the real root causes of environmental catastrophe being colonialism and capitalism. In a way those concerns have eclipsed the fight against climate change for me, because it is an issue of justice and humanity, and I have learned to see how deep white normativity is and how entrenched racism is. It's shameful. I have done a lot of more concerted reading and thinking this year both before and after the BLM protests following George Floyd's murder - about these issues, and I am trying to find a way of talking to other white people about them and to bring my child up differently. We are not in the city at the moment, we are visiting family in NSW. This is, I believe, Wodi Wodi country, of the Yuin nation, north of the Shoalhaven, but I don't know a lot about the region's history. I don't know yet how we will be spending Jan 26th, but we will find a way to mark it. I was thinking of painting a banner and hanging it on a tree by the main road - 'always was, always will be'. I just ordered Day Break to read to my daughter. Maybe it will be here by then. Thanks.
Thanks for the important work you're doing in both journalism and academia, Amy. As a white settler, I've been embarrassed about Australia Day for years but I've realised in the last few years that by staying quiet about it, I remained complicit in the ongoing colonial project. This year I'll be attending the protest organised by the Warriors of Aboriginal Resistance in Naarm. I've also been reading Day Break to my children and have sent the book along to their childcare centre for storytime this week, to help spread the word. And I live on land that I believe is important to both the Wurundjeri and Bunurong peoples, and I'm planning to take some cultural tours this year to learn more about their connection to this land.
Thank you , simply brilliant! One of the most insightful analysis linking international events with national and local significance. It is So so important to amplify your voice. And ensure your contribution goes towards informing the establishment of Treaty with First Nations. Looking forward to reading your work .
Thank you Amy. Looking forward to your weekly publication.
Congratulations! A newsletter of considerable value and importance.Well done!
I look forward to reading your newsletter! And I’ll be sharing it far and wide :)
Best of luck building this Amy!
This newsletter will be used as a great resource to grow a better understanding and perspective on the issues that exist within our society facing Indigenous Australians. Thank you for your efforts!
Really looking forward to this work Amy, thank you.
Thanks Amy for the newsletter and your work and your questions. Growing up as a white settler Australian my views have changed profoundly over the years. As a kid we weren't really a typical Aussie family, no BBQ's or Aussie pride celebrations in my family - there was always a tacit understanding that the history was skewed and that there were justice issues but it was not much spoken about either way really. it was just a public holiday. we didn't celebrate it as such, but we didn't talk about why it might be problematic. As a teenager I went with friends to big fireworks displays, again I've never been nationalistic and that Aussie pride thing has always sat uncomfortably with me, but I did not at that stage have a real awareness of how it must feel to First Nation's people. I was always sympathetic to calling it as invasion day, but I didn't think too much about it really. I think for many years in between I have increasingly ignored Australia day and felt more and more uncomfortable as time went on about it as a day of national celebration. The past couple of years I have marked the day by joining Invasion Day protests, last year in Melbourne. I began a year or two ago to become involved with XR and that led me very quickly to a recognition of the rebellion against extinction, and ecological disaster, First Nations have been engaged in since colonisation. Also to think more critically than I ever have before about the real root causes of environmental catastrophe being colonialism and capitalism. In a way those concerns have eclipsed the fight against climate change for me, because it is an issue of justice and humanity, and I have learned to see how deep white normativity is and how entrenched racism is. It's shameful. I have done a lot of more concerted reading and thinking this year both before and after the BLM protests following George Floyd's murder - about these issues, and I am trying to find a way of talking to other white people about them and to bring my child up differently. We are not in the city at the moment, we are visiting family in NSW. This is, I believe, Wodi Wodi country, of the Yuin nation, north of the Shoalhaven, but I don't know a lot about the region's history. I don't know yet how we will be spending Jan 26th, but we will find a way to mark it. I was thinking of painting a banner and hanging it on a tree by the main road - 'always was, always will be'. I just ordered Day Break to read to my daughter. Maybe it will be here by then. Thanks.
Thanks for the important work you're doing in both journalism and academia, Amy. As a white settler, I've been embarrassed about Australia Day for years but I've realised in the last few years that by staying quiet about it, I remained complicit in the ongoing colonial project. This year I'll be attending the protest organised by the Warriors of Aboriginal Resistance in Naarm. I've also been reading Day Break to my children and have sent the book along to their childcare centre for storytime this week, to help spread the word. And I live on land that I believe is important to both the Wurundjeri and Bunurong peoples, and I'm planning to take some cultural tours this year to learn more about their connection to this land.
Thank you , simply brilliant! One of the most insightful analysis linking international events with national and local significance. It is So so important to amplify your voice. And ensure your contribution goes towards informing the establishment of Treaty with First Nations. Looking forward to reading your work .
Just always so profound and humble. Thank you Sis
incredible! I can't wait for the next instalment. I've cleared my email just in case!