[tibs]

I thought it was not a reference to WWI but British settlement of Australia.

That was my interpretation also.

[irisis]

The following status on Facebook has infuriated me. To ME (and this is MY personal opinion) it is incrediably disrepectful and small minded about our country's history.



The full status reads:

Lest we forget the Aboriginals that were fighting for their country and lives! Against the British...

My bold. I think this is what 'delli' has taken issue with. This status had nothing to do with their participation in the WW's

[howdo]

but are they not Australians? So why do they need their own special label? Cant they just be included in the rest of the ANZACS?
Not on Facebook so sorry if i have missed the point.

They are not talking about ANZACs ...

It's a reference to dispossession and genocide.

I don't think the phrase represents what reconciliation is trying to achieve.

[Luxe]

That's how I read it too.

Same. Because it says 'against british'.
I think it's the wrong day to make a political statement.

[RealityBites]

It is a statement trying to complicate Anzac Day, to make people think outside the square.

[steppy]

It's about time we had a public holiday commemorating these specific historical events. I'd be very happy to have another public holiday and would be perfectly happy to spend that entire day listening to stories of those times and having special ceremonies and such and hearing about it all day long on the news. I don't know why we don't already have one actually.

[scruff05]

I thought it was not a reference to WWI but British settlement of Australia.

Oh OK thank you Ange Vert for the clarification,cheers. If this is so how about that is left till another day and leave ANZAC Day for what it is.

[delli]

Same. Because it says 'against british'.
I think it's the wrong day to make a political statement.

Thats how I feel. I just think that there is enough segregation and discussion and Australia has been made "Invasion Day", can't we keep Anzac Day for the Anzacs?

Just FTR - I am all FOR the recognition of Indigenous Australian soliders.

This post has been edited by delli: 25/04/2012, 07:17 PM

[aluminium]

That statement is inappropriate because as PP have said,
- It references colonisation, not WWI (and is therefore irrelevant and disrespectful to ANZAC day)
- It also ignores the very specific and realistic steps the Australian Govt has made towards reconciliation (Paul Keating, Redfern 1998, Kevin Rudd, Sorry 2007 etc)

*sigh *
It annoys me

[bakesgirls]

I don't think ANZAC day is the place for that debate, it takes away from all ANZACs including those with an indigenous background that fought for Australia.

This.