Australia Day
It's Invasion Australia Day today.
I've never been one to celebrate nationalism blatantly, and for someone on a disability allowance, it's yet another day when the buses run less often. And yet, there is some significance for this day.
I remember in the early 90s, when I stood next to Lee on this day , who'd emigrated from the United States and was undergoing her Naturalization ceremony, becoming an Australian citizen. It meant something to her back then. In addition to her citizenship, she was given a tree which she planted in Nannup at a folk festival.
Long time since then, but I wonder if Australian who are born here too often take their status for granted. Last Thursday on the train back to Cardiff I was bailed up by a semi drunk who raved on about how he hated Indians and how all immigrants were cheats gaining all the benefits while "poor white folk" got nothing. I should have said something rather than suffer in silence. While there are always cheats, they tend not to cluster around background, creed or colour, but attitude. Using that as an excuse to be racist is not only lazy but also ignorant and downright criminal.
If Australia means anything, it must be that at least here we an opportunity to improve ourselves, and to live in tolerant conditions, even if neither is always the case. And both are precious - just look at the news to see how people use the slightest pretext to abuse, repress and kill each other.
Be glad when the buses are running better again.