Australia day
- Thread starter zen5887
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What annoys me most about Australia day is the reminder that bogans (Australian for racist dumbasses, somewhat like rednecks but usually less religious) exist. I don't know how it became national pride to show off your stupidity, but it sure is humiliating for the rest of the Australian population with more than half a dozen brain cells.
I feel patriotism (in its extremes) displays intolerance and arrogance. There's nothing wrong with loving your country, but when you make an active effort to isolate non-anglo Australians, it goes too far. The fact that the One Nation party ever had a following makes me sick. How can we pride ourselves on being a multicultural nation when we tell people to 'fuck off' if they happen to disagree with an 'aussie' viewpoint?
I feel patriotism (in its extremes) displays intolerance and arrogance. There's nothing wrong with loving your country, but when you make an active effort to isolate non-anglo Australians, it goes too far. The fact that the One Nation party ever had a following makes me sick. How can we pride ourselves on being a multicultural nation when we tell people to 'fuck off' if they happen to disagree with an 'aussie' viewpoint?
But that's it - one of One Nation's primary concerns was that folks who came here did not assimilate. It was THAT that drew the great following. And I'm inclined to agree with it.
Where I to go and live in China for any period of time, I would endeavour to learn Chinese. To speak it, to read it, to write it. I would assimilate, though I retain aspects of my own culture, I would become as a Chinese person. I may not speak it well, but I'd damn well make the effort.
The same applies here. What sickens me is that there are 2nd and 3rd generation Australians who refuse to learn English, despite being born in this country.
Where I to go and live in China for any period of time, I would endeavour to learn Chinese. To speak it, to read it, to write it. I would assimilate, though I retain aspects of my own culture, I would become as a Chinese person. I may not speak it well, but I'd damn well make the effort.
The same applies here. What sickens me is that there are 2nd and 3rd generation Australians who refuse to learn English, despite being born in this country.
Australia Day for me is best spent down at the beach playing a bit of beach cricket with a few mates, and possibly joining a few select women in a game...
Anyhow, as far as the over-zealous patriotism goes, you're always going to get small elements who take the whole thing way too seriously. That's the same the world over where there's a celebration about 'how awesome we are'. It just leads to conclusions that everybody else is shite.
P.S- Anybody try those Lamington muffins from Muffin Break? They're the shit!
Anyhow, as far as the over-zealous patriotism goes, you're always going to get small elements who take the whole thing way too seriously. That's the same the world over where there's a celebration about 'how awesome we are'. It just leads to conclusions that everybody else is shite.
P.S- Anybody try those Lamington muffins from Muffin Break? They're the shit!
Really? Because by my count, its the 'drunken brawl's' turn, riots not last year, but the two before that, so there owed one.Reaperman Wompa said:
I think Australia day is a grand day, I've never been involved, witnessed or been in the same city as any roughhousing as a direct result of Australia Day.
Yeah lots of drunk people, but since when has that been a crime?
Everyone here is focusing on all the bad point, which makes Australia Day look bad.
Anything looks bad when you focus on the bad point of view.
Look on the positives!
We are celebrating the anniversary of (in my opinion) one of the greatest nations on Earth
We are celebrating being able to survive on what should be the most inhospitable countries on the planet
We are celebrating everything Aussie, from drinking beer to swearing, to more drinking. Oh yeah and all that other stuff Aussie to...
Were celebrating 45 degree heat, -15 degree colds, raging fires and damaging storms! All occurring in the same day!
Were are celebrating who we are, where we are from, and what we stand for
Australia isn't just a place in the middle of a few oceans, we are celebrating the soil we stand on, the water we drink, the meat we eat, the children we teach, the wars we battled in the the people who died for our great nation!
Because I am
Because you are
Because we are Australian!
Their is nothing wrong with acting like a drunken bogan on Australia day, its just getting in touch with your true Australian roots; we where settled by convicts you know.
But seriously; I'll have a BBQ and invite around my close mates, well play loud music, play PS3, and swear a lot while engaging in conversations that make the ears of tender children withdraw into their craniums. So, in short, it'll be the same as any other weekend.
But seriously; I'll have a BBQ and invite around my close mates, well play loud music, play PS3, and swear a lot while engaging in conversations that make the ears of tender children withdraw into their craniums. So, in short, it'll be the same as any other weekend.
Yeah I had an great uncle who was an infantryman in WW1, his hand got badly damaged so he became a stretcher bearer. He was killed early 1918. Its an important day to remember those who fought in WW1 and all soldier who've fought to defend this nation.delta4062 said:
I have a grandfather who served in New Guinea. Two of my best mates are trained infantry men in the ADF.
Those who say we have no national identity need to look at WW1 (and later wars) and that will prove them wrong.
The convicts thing annoys me though when non Australians bring it up. When you consider that stealing more then a certain amount (hypothetically 3pounds) was considered a hanging offense in England, along with crimes like assault and robbery. Those who were sent to Australia, barely did anything but be poor and steal a pittance.vid20 said:
The jokes on England too, we got the Motherf**King beaches! WOOH!
Australia Day is on the 26th of January and celebrates the day when the First Fleet of convicts and settlers arrived from Britain to colonise Australia. The day is meant to be about being proud to be Australian (though for many of us its just a long weekend to chill out at home, maybe have some friends over for lunch or whatever). This is fine.
The problem starts when the thoughts turn from "We are proud to be Australian" to " Australia is the best nation on Earth" to "All non-Australians, especially those living here from overseas are sellouts and not worthy." So we end up with self- righteous egos and alcohol- fuelled racism fringe who go and mess up the way everyone else in the world sees the majority of innocent Australians. These drunk hooligans (for much, much want of a better word that didn't come from the 70s) go around tearing into people who they don't think are 'real Australians' and all that. They think their racism is patriotic.. which it definitely isn't.
As an Australian it's very ironic to hear the whole talk of Australia being multicultural and accepting when all it takes is a slab of beer to clear away much of the thin social veneer that reveals many closed minds.
I don't have any problems with the holiday itself or the event it commemorates or this country (I really can't think of anywhere better to live except maybe New Zealand). My problem is with people who take other people down a peg just because they aren't fully white and don't fit the perfect Aussie stereotype.
The problem starts when the thoughts turn from "We are proud to be Australian" to " Australia is the best nation on Earth" to "All non-Australians, especially those living here from overseas are sellouts and not worthy." So we end up with self- righteous egos and alcohol- fuelled racism fringe who go and mess up the way everyone else in the world sees the majority of innocent Australians. These drunk hooligans (for much, much want of a better word that didn't come from the 70s) go around tearing into people who they don't think are 'real Australians' and all that. They think their racism is patriotic.. which it definitely isn't.
As an Australian it's very ironic to hear the whole talk of Australia being multicultural and accepting when all it takes is a slab of beer to clear away much of the thin social veneer that reveals many closed minds.
I don't have any problems with the holiday itself or the event it commemorates or this country (I really can't think of anywhere better to live except maybe New Zealand). My problem is with people who take other people down a peg just because they aren't fully white and don't fit the perfect Aussie stereotype.
I wouldn't say 'most' aussies are racist, just 'a loud minority'. There's alot of good people around the place. The minority is what messes our our social appearance.delta4062 said:
I get quite ashamed of these 'bogans' popping up all over the place. They dont shave, they're offensive. I'm proud-ish to be Australian, but I dont believe the best way to celebrate my country is to drink myself stupid. Maybe that's just me, maybe I'm weird..
What I meant by "Aussies" are naive tools that claim their prejudices to be "patriotic values". I do live here and there is nothing I'd rather do than chill out with a Little Creatures and a BBQ but the tools tend to spoil the afterglow of the celebrations.BrynThomas said:
Couldn't agree more. Its good to have a drink but no need to go overboard.Cahlee said:
Say what?! I have never heard of such delights. Think I might go hunting next week.Hey Joe said:
man i wish i was australian. america is so boring. and cold. i do want to move to australia after college though.
Its more of a 'Strayia than an Australia, the way I see itspyrewolf said:OI Australia NO!, first the pavlova now lamb!....that is clearly New Zealand. stop it thats a bad Australia ... or Austraia as you guys pronounce it.. there is an 'L' in Australia you guys realize this right?! (just kidding)(Im a kiwi)