siriuslydeep:
I don’t really drink alcohol. For heaps of reasons. But I definately won’t be drinking on Invasion/Survival Day this year. I guess I hope to be one less Anglo/white persyn putting money into/supporting this booze-fueled day of false nationalism. Getting drunk can make people less aware of their behaviour, and more prone to aggression and violence. Energetically and literally speaking, I don’t want to participate in getting wasted or celebrating this day as it represents the beginning and perpetuation of genocide, rape, colonisation and assimilation in this country by white people towards Indigenous people. And more recently, a growing sense of “white pride”/patriotism, violence and hatred directed towards people of colour/people of culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds in this country.
Maybe this could be something other white people could do to take the “celebration” of invasion out of this day. To focus more on remembering and continued recognition of Australia’s first people’s, and acknowledging what it means to be a white persyn in this country and the effect our morals and behaviour has on everyone around us who is not profiting from white supremacy. By taking steps to create positive actions both mentally and physically, maybe we could make some real changes. Or at least I hope so.
if there was just one day where I support a complete ban on intoxicants for white people, it would be invasion/survival/sovereignty day. the amount of drunken nationalist aggression is often frightening. if you’re white, even if you personally aren’t particularly racist or nationalistic, if you’re on the streets drunk on this day, think about how that affects people around you, especially people of colour and especially Aboriginal people and Torres Strait Islanders. fuck, I would definitely cross to the other side of the street if I saw some drunken fool in flag face paint, how do you think people who are actually targeted by racism are gonna feel?
while I’m on the topic, some other things to do on this thurs jan 26th:
it is the 40th anniversary of the Aboriginal Tent Embassy in Canberra, an amazing achievement. the Embassy is having a huge gathering.
if you’re in melbourne there is an afternoon Survival Day concert in Belgrave. later that evening it is POC the Mic. do. yourself. a favour. you will not regret going to either of these events, it won’t be an act of dutiful penitence or anything like that. I mean, let it be noted that I am not opposed to dutiful penitence. but I am also in favour of seeing really accomplished feminist musicians like Lou Bennett for free, or for consistently getting my socks knocked off by the amazing array of multidisciplinary talent at POC the Mic.
one other thing that is worth doing is donating to the Ruby Hunter Foundation. Ruby Hunter was a renowned Ngarrindjeri musician who died last year aged just 55. the Foundation needs $40,000 for the production of an album of songs Ruby wrote for and about Aboriginal children called “Butcher Paper, Texta, Blackboard and Chalk” and an accompanying picture book and dvd. considering the appalling pay gap between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians, making a donation to a grassroots Aboriginal organisation is probably a better use of my semi-hard-earned money (I had to really sweet-talk that Matchworks lady, ok!) than fancier pillows. I still really want new pillows though.
