Anzac Day

 

For some time now I have been of the opinion that we need to be very careful of Anzac Day. I am all for honouring the sacrifices made by all kinds of people in all theatres of war, in peacekeeping missions and those who kept the home fires burning.

I am not for nationalistic jingoism. I am not for the propaganda machine glorifying "service" in the hope of influencing coming generations to serve. I am not for honouring one type of trauma over others. I am not for hypocritical displays of reverence for people who we don't support very well when they arrive home broken. 

And now I can add that I most certainly am not in favour of small minded people having a platform they can use to harass and belittle our first nations people.

Aboriginal people fought for Australia at a time when they were not even given the dignity of citizenship. They came home not as second class citizens because they were not citizens. They offered their lives and their health just as others did. 

At this year's Anzac ceremonies around Australia, the Acknowledgement of Country was boo-ed.

I find this behaviour repugnant at any time. Acknowledging traditional owners costs us nothing and actually gives them nothing but acknowledgement. Just words. Acknowledgement of Country does not and can not impoverish anyone and still the haters must boo and jeer.

If a remembrance of our servicemen and women (and others) is going to become an opportunity to grind people down, we have lost the plot. 

It is, for sure, an unpopular opinion but I think Anzac Day has almost had it's day.