It’s possible to celebrate what a nation has become without celebrating what they’ve done.
A nation’s actions are a direct result of what the nation is. And many of the shameful actions of Australia are ongoing.
I love this land, I love many, many people here, and I love many of the things we’ve created together. But I have no desire to celebrate this nation as it stands. I feel no more kinship with someone on the other side of the country to someone on the other side of the world - we are all fellow humans. I treat visitors and immigrants with the same respect I give local citizens. For the many positive parts of Australian culture, I spot as many negatives.
But even all that aside, if you want to celebrate the positive parts and ignore the negative… it’s embarrassing to plaster the United Kingdom flag everywhere. Green and gold > red, white and blue.
A nation’s actions are a direct result of what the nation is. And many of the shameful actions of Australia are ongoing.
I love this land, I love many, many people here, and I love many of the things we’ve created together. But I have no desire to celebrate this nation as it stands. I feel no more kinship with someone on the other side of the country to someone on the other side of the world - we are all fellow humans. I treat visitors and immigrants with the same respect I give local citizens. For the many positive parts of Australian culture, I spot as many negatives.
But even all that aside, if you want to celebrate the positive parts and ignore the negative… it’s embarrassing to plaster the United Kingdom flag everywhere. Green and gold > red, white and blue.