Comments on: Aboriginal Anthems

By: NeilEnnis

NeilEnnis — Thu, 08 Jul 2010 23:39:55 +0000

Rob, sorry I don’t know what language it was, but at a guess it was probably Gaddigal / Eora, since that’s the traditional language of the Greater Sydney area. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eora). Benelong was Eora – his story is amazing.

Yes – there’s a lot of racism in Australia. I see it in myself. I think the point I was trying to make (and probably not as well as I could have made it) was that Aboriginal Culture is something that can benefit all of us as Australians because of the link it can give us to the land.

How do we address racism? I’m not sure either There were quite a few comments on twitter of people who appreciated the Aboriginal content in the anthem – maybe that was a plus for some people (maybe it alienated some people too). I think The Apology in Parliament was a big step. I guess it will take lots of different steps from different people.

One radical idea I have is for local Aboriginal groups to accept whitefella’s into their clans. E.g. where I live is Turrbal country. I think it would be cool if I could become like an “honorary” member of the Turrbal clan as a mark of the respect and love I have for where I live. If you follow that to its conclusion we’d all become Aborigines in a small way. And if that happens… well you can’t really be racist against yourself

By: Bella

Bella — Thu, 08 Jul 2010 12:28:51 +0000

In one of my very first classes on Studies in Religion we learned that there was at one point well over 600 distinct dialects in Australia before it was colonised. That is a level of linguistic diversity that is, or should I say was, unparalleled anywhere else in the world. The native Tasmanian language for instance, remained uninfluenced for thousands of years before all those who could speak it were wiped out – on purpose. I think you’re right; if you want to stamp out the life-blood of a culture, you being by removing the language of that culture.

It’s inspiring to see people attempt to make amends for this. And shameful to witness people completely missing this point. I’ve noticed a lot of my contemporaries expressing racist attitudes when it comes to Native Australians and frankly, more people need to call them out about it.

By: Rob

Rob — Thu, 08 Jul 2010 08:08:55 +0000

Neil. Good blog. Well written and some interesting points. Can I check with you though, as I can’t see it above. Do you know what Aboriginal language the national anthem was sung in? I’m sure they said before the game, but as I muted the anthems I can’t recall (nope, not racist, just can’t be bothered listening to them. I did the same through all the Football World Cup games – even England’s anthem. They sing the wrong song see, but thats a topic for another day!).

I think the main point you have to take into context here is that essentially Australia is a racist country. Yes, that is probably brought on by what happened in Terra Australis many years ago, but it still stands today. Racism still runs deep. Australia is a racist country.

How do we fix that? I’m not sure. But getting an Aboriginal girl to dress up with paint on her face, singing the national anthem in her language accompanied by 2 guys with traditional Aboriginal musical instruments isn’t going to do that.

By: NeilEnnis

NeilEnnis — Thu, 08 Jul 2010 05:44:34 +0000

Hi Jeanine. Thanks so much for the comment and your thoughts. I’m sure that as non-indigenous people appreciate aboriginal culture, we’ll make more progress in reconciliation.

Incidentally, were you a ten pound pom? I was, and have uploaded some pics and documents about it here if you’re interested: http://tenpoundpoms.com

By: Jeannie Fletcher

Jeannie Fletcher — Thu, 08 Jul 2010 04:28:52 +0000

Hi Neil, I’m happy that you have used my photo for a subject so close to my heart. Like you I wasn’t born in Australia but emigrated, with my family in 1961 at the age of 15 yrs.I had a wonderful childhood in England but felt re- born as an Aussie the moment I set foot on Australian soil. I’m so heartened to know that there are more people out there who feel the same way as I do about this amazing, wonderful, culturally blessed land. I’m not a rugby league follower but would have loved to see and hear the Australial National anthen sung in an aboriginal language. How wonderful it must have been. Your comments about us all needing the aboriginal people, their culture, their stories etc. are my feeling too. I’m so pleased to have met you via this medium!! Jeannie.

By: Tweets that mention Aboriginal Anthems « Political Musings -- Topsy.com

Tweets that mention Aboriginal Anthems « Political Musings -- Topsy.com — Thu, 08 Jul 2010 01:53:10 +0000

[...] This post was mentioned on Twitter by NeilEnnis. NeilEnnis said: Singing the Aussie national anthem in both Aboriginal Language and English – why I think this is great http://bit.ly/cqSIz4 #origin [...]