there's our catastrophe

BEING SOBER ON SURVIVAL/INVASION DAY IN AUSTRALIA

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. 

Upcoming: 2012

lia-incognita:

It seems I’ve got quite a few spoken word performances lined up during Midsumma: 

• Love Me, Love Me Not (Thu 19 Jan at Bar Nancy, curated by Lisa-Skye)
• Rapid Fire - 12 Writers, 6 Minutes (Fri 20 Jan at Hares & Hyenas)
• What a Piece of Work: Queer Verse (Mon 30 Jan, also at H&H)

I’m also likely to make an appearance at Word is Out Poetry Slam (Mon 23 Jan at H&H) to defend my title from last year.

It’s a pretty amazing program for spoken word this year, partly I think because H&H have 20 shows on to celebrate their 20th anniversary. My picks are Quippings (a night of “freaktastic delights” hosted by Kath Duncan - Tue 31 Jan) and Australia Day Hangover (programmed by OutBlack convenor Bryan Andy - Fri 27 Jan).

I also have some really exciting stuff coming up as part of the Ladies of Colour Agency - wait and see. 

oh man!  all this and only one 40 degree day so far.  summer in melbourne, you are  doing well

They’re a Queer Mob

textaqueen:

Opening next week, I’m in this group show at Blak Dot with a portrait of Crystal McKinnon. 

as part of Midsumma, Blak Dot Gallery presents

They’re a Queer Mob

A vision of queer culture from non-western perspectives. A mob of artists with cultural roots in Indigenous Australia, the Pacific, Africa, and India offer their alternative visual experiences

Featuring Jules Renton, Renuka Rajiv, Meera Sethi, Arlene TextaQueen, Kamahi Jordan King, Peter Waples-Crowe, Cecilia Kavara, Kimba Thompson, Salote Tawale, Susan Forrester and Jacob Tologata

Opening night will be a party with various performers scheduled to entertain all evening.

The exhibition features an informal discussion on GLBQT diversity in Indigenous cultures. With speakers covering such topics as the third gender in Indigenous cultures such as faafafine (Samoa), fakaleiti (Tonga), rae rae (Tahiti Nui) and sistagirls (Indigenous Australia). Also to be covered is the continuum of specific Indigenous sexualities which have become distinct parts of Western GLBQT minority culture.

opening Thurs 19th January from 6pm

Blak Dot Gallery 

413 Lygon St, Brunswick East

19 January - 5 February

Thu - Sun 12-5pm

 www.blakdot.com.au

http://www.facebook.com/events/214874975265846/

(via squaresome)