this is the ugly face of nationalism that seems to me to be on the rise in australia. let no one confuse nationalism with patriotism. let no one confuse nationalism with a love for one's country. nationalism is nothing more than an excuse for cowards to bully and belittle those who are different. nationalism is what swept through germany in the 1930's and ultimately provided the conditions necessary for the holocaust in which millions of jews, gypsies, homosexuals, political dissidents and mentally disabled people were slaughtered.i hate that the flag of my country and the constellation on it are being used as symbols of hate and bigotry. i hate that the slogan 'love it or leave' have come to mean that if you don't embrace xenophobia you don't have a place in our nation. i hate that others will look at us through the stained glass these reprehensible creatures have thrown up.
the scum who have disgraced our national day through their mindless barbarism cannot be allowed to win. it's time to reclaim the symbols of our country as representations of the true meaning of what it is to be australian. to be australian is to be tolerant and to give everyone a fair go. it's to embrace people based on their character. it's to value the freedom to be oneself. driving a ute with an aussie flag on it doesn't make you more or less australian than the next person... and it sure as hell doesn't make you superior in any way. for many years i drove a holden panel van and you'd often hear ac/dc blaring from it as i drove by with the back up but that's not what made me a true blue aussie. nor is it my southern cross tattoo. it's my attitude and beliefs that have been shaped by this nation that make me fair dinkum. it's that i'll be mates with anyone from any racial background if they're decent people that makes me fair dinkum. it's that i love this country and desperately want it to reach the heights and glory it's capable of. it's that i despair that these narrow-minded xenophobes and trying to tear us down from within.
it's time for all fair dinkum aussies to stand up and be counted. it's time for us to repudiate hatred, bigotry and divisiveness. it's time to give the bigots the message that we don't support them. i've started by reclaiming the 'love it or leave' slogan. australia is a multicultural, tolerant society. LOVE IT OR LEAVE!
4 comments:
that interesting Dave
I have noticed the proliferation of flag flying...really stepped up a notch this year.
I wonder if it has something to do with the directionless culture, where young adults are looking for meaning...and trying to feel they are a part of something larger than themselves.
( I am trying to imagine you in a panel van....what sort are we talking?) :)
well i don't have a problem with waving the flag per se. i've certainly been known to fly the flag and actually used to have one on the pinup board over my desk when i was working in london. what i have a problem with is the use of the flag as a symbol of bigotry and intolerance.
i had a white 1982 WB with three on the tree.. it was lovely.
You amaze me, your written word is so unlike your witnessed behaviour.
thanks for you contribution 'anonymous' but i can assure you no-one has witnessed me using the flag or my nationality as an excuse for bigotry and prejudice as it has never happened.
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