the ramblings of a perambulent and often distracted sojourner
How to wrestle an angel – Eureka Street.
I love both these poems – especially the second one. In my humble opinion, theology is better expressed through poetry than propositional debate. It takes us to that place in human experience that is beyond, but not dismissive of rational thought. We should read more poetry. Maybe even write our own!
Sometimes, when one is greeted by a plethora of email messages in the morning, a particular message stands out and one feels that a kairos moment has just brushed by. This morning was such an occasion and I share it with you:
Good morning,
Please find attached a joint statement to the people of Australia on constitutional recognition of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples from the Australian Reconciliation Network.
An Open Letter to the People of Australia
On the fourth anniversary of the National Apology to the Stolen Generations, the Australian Reconciliation Network encourages all Australians to consider carefully the recommendations made by the Expert Panel on Constitutional Recognition of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples.
We believe that recognising Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples in the Constitution is another positive step forward for our nation. The Panel has produced an excellent report that shows viable options exist to achieve this goal.
Many Australians would be surprised to learn that our Constitution currently allows Governments to discriminate against any group on the basis of race. We believe this is out of touch with modern Australia and does not reflect who we are as a nation today.
Historically it has been the Australian people who have lead the way towards reconciliation— overwhelmingly voting YES in the 1967 Referendum to count Aboriginal people in the census, walking across bridges in crowds of hundreds of thousands in a show of reconciliation, and turning out in droves to watch as Kevin Rudd made the formal Apology— unifying moments in our history that should not be forgotten.
Recognising Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples in the Constitution continues the unfinished business of the recommendations made by the Council for Aboriginal Reconciliation in 2000.
Extensive community consultations and polling that informed the Panel’s report suggest that changes are worthy and capable of support for a referendum.
We have before us a tremendous opportunity to define our nation’s story and take another step towards a reconciled nation. We share a vision for an Australia which recognises and is proud of our unique Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander heritage, and celebrates the diversity which makes our nation great.
We therefore encourage all Australians to consider carefully the Panel’s proposals to amend the Constitution.
Signed:
Dr Tom Calma and Ms Melinda Cilento, Reconciliation Australia Co-Chairs
Kristy Masella and Kerrie Murphy, NSW Reconciliation Council Co-Chairs
Aunty Heather Castledine and Peter Jackson, Reconciliation Queensland Inc Co-Chairs
Renai Dean and Keith Gove, Reconciliation Victoria Co-Chairs
Jim Morrison and Keith Bodman, Reconciliation WA Co-Chairs
Prof Peter Buckskin PSM FACE and Hon. Robyn Layton QC, Reconciliation South Australia Co-Chairs
Thank you.
Shannan Dodson
Communications Officer
Reconciliation Australia
I know there are still Charles Dickens fans out there. The blogosphere, Facebook and Twitter have been quietly partying on the 200th anniversary of his birth. The local newspaper contemporised some of his more memorable characters – Miss Haversham, Fagin, the Artful Dodger. And now this thoughtful reflection that ponders a space/time transplant of this great literary figure…
Is this what’s behind a certain WA mining magnate’s media push?
Monckton’s push for an Australia Fox News – The Drum Opinion (Australian Broadcasting Corporation).
Get Up is on the trail! See here.
The twin cinematic retrospectives on the careers of Hoover and Thatcher, both notorious conservatives that packed a lot of clout in recent Western history, invite this question. Today’s article at Eureka Street, Humanising Hoover and Thatcher – Eureka Street, takes rather a dim view of the practice.
I wonder though. As one privileged to work across a wide spectrum of the community, embracing idealists from the extremes of both the right and the left (and all the places in between), I consider it important to contemplate the human element that we all share. Heaven forbid – it might give rise to compassion for those who have committed the inexcusable! Well, compassion springs from knowledge, knowledge leads to understanding, understanding leads to constructive dialogue for improvement.
Maybe if we saw the human in each other rather than competing ideologies we may be able to deal more effectively with some of the contemporary challenges confronting us.
How successfully these two cinematic efforts achieve the task of putting flesh and bone on these historic figures is another matter. However, I do not question the desire.
… is our word for the week. When we speak, act, relate out of exousia, we are doing so from the very essence of our being. We are acting out of the passion of authenticity.
The source is deeper and wider than ourselves however – it taps into the transcendent mystery of the universe.
Exousia is what makes Martin Luther King’s “I have a dream” speech so great.
Exousia is what gives continuing muscle to Kevin Rudd‘s Sorry Day action.
Exousia is what gives power to the mild-mannered mum who advocates for the resources her special needs child requires to thrive.
Exousia is a Greek word that is frequently found in the Gospels of the Christian tradition – often translated as “authority” (as in Mark 1:22 “They were astounded at his teaching, for he taught them as one having authority, and not as the scribes.” (NRSV)
A lot of Aussies, with our traditional larrikin zeitgeist, dislike the notion of “authority” – ghosts and images of “whipping parsons”, wowsers, the nanny state and Big Brother abound.
“Authenticity” on the other hand, draws us like bees to a honey pot. There is a hunch that not all authority is authentic!
If I had my way, the Koine Greek term exousia would be translated “authentic” where it appears in the gospels.
I visited the Aboriginal Tent Embassy in Canberra in 1982 – its presence was about ten years old then, and it was generating considerable angst in the orderly scene that is public service Canberra. My errand was to return an address/appointment book I had picked up in the street. It belonged to one of the key embassy activists. I considered, given the sensitive nature of the contents, that I would deliver it to its owner myself rather than turn it in to “the authorities.” The public was not on side at this time; the tent was an embarrassment and should go. Thirty years later, the Aboriginal Tent Embassy pitched on the lawns of Old Parliament House has hit international headlines again.
It’s not my desire to add commentary to this particular event, apart to point out that the incident illustrates the distance we still have to travel before this country can speak of being unified.
Yet there remains enough positive energy from all parties to give it a go. Current anger and polarisation gives the appearance of sudden crisis. In reality, the crisis has existed for some time. Genuine and intelligent efforts continue to strive against all sorts of odds to address it. These efforts will not be diverted by the street theatre of yesterday, no matter who instigated it. The party of 22 diverse community leaders who have submitted the unanimous parliamentary report on changes to the Australian Constitution to acknowledge indigenous concerns remains promising. Today’s analysis: Long road to the Indigenous referendum – Eureka Street is both realistic and hopeful.
Some thoughtful words for the sake of those who go a little overboard on claiming Australia’s Christian pedigree:
The Great South Land – Synchroblog | RodneyOlsen.net.
Christians have a role to play in what is essentially a secular nation – but it’s one based on service rather than some notion of a divine right to rule. As one of my lecturer’s used to say “read,mark, learn and inwardly digest!”
A new story line seems to have caught Hollywood’s imagination … helpless, bereft dads reconnecting with their kids! Get a big box office attraction like Matt Damon or George Clooney, throw him in the deep end and see how he swims. It seems we enjoy bumbling dads, emotionally bereft of their partners, launching a way-out project that simultaneously wins over their hostile, alienated and scornful offspring. We are meant to laugh, cry, cheer and sigh as the cinematic journey leads us to the satisfactory conclusion of a content, wise and happy family unit “being together” as the end credits roll.
The left-field nature of the foils are similar. Freshly widowed Matt Damon’s character bought a zoo. George Clooney’s persona reluctantly unhooks his comatose wife’s life support, then leads his daughters and one of their goofy beaux on an island hopping hunt for the guy who cuckolded him. The comedy, the drama, the climaxes, the poignant moments – you can almost set your watch by them.
The scenery and the Hawaiian music were nice.
2.5 stars out of 5
Our national day celebrations often generate discussion within our small congregation. Yesterday’s take on Jonah the Bogan was one attempt to address the tensions between celebrating national pride and accountability to something wider, bigger and deeper. One of our Elders, Steve Mellor, has granted permission to reprint his article from this week’s church newsletter:
On 26th January Australians will gather in capital cities and other regional centres around the country to celebrate Australia Day. The day will be marked with official ceremonies, parties and elaborate fireworks displays. The day will be a special occasion for many new Australians who will truly call Australia home by accepting the responsibilities that come with Australian Citizenship. So let’s reflect on what this day actually means.
To call January 26th Australia Day is somewhat of a misnomer. Ray Durbridge reminded us a few weeks ago that our real national day passes by largely unnoticed. 1st January 1901 is really when Australia came into being. Whilst many Australians party and celebrate the establishment of a British penal colony on the shores of Sydney Harbour on 26th January 1788, a substantial number of Australians remember the day with some sadness and find it offensive that such celebrations take place. It was on that day that the great southern land was taken away from a people who had lived here continuously for around 100,000 years. For them, the 26th January 1788 marks the day of invasion.
There is a real sense in which we, as Australians, should be proud of our heritage and of the nation we have become – a nation which acknowledges the rights and privileges of all its citizens and one which, I feel , leads the world in expressing and respecting the rights and dignity of all people. We are a nation which honours and respects both the importance of the individual and the value of community, though I have been somewhat dismayed at recent debate concerning the coming of persecuted people to our shores, particularly those of non-Christian background. Many risk their lives to come here and that says a great deal about who we are as a nation. Our reputation is largely built on the perceived good life available to most. Sadly though, the original indigenous inhabitants of this land have not enjoyed the same fruits of prosperity.
Historically, whilst the states came together in a spirit of goodwill and cooperation to form the nation of Australia, prior to Federation systematic occupation of an already occupied land saw much loss of indigenous life, culture and heritage, as well as the expanding colonies’ environmental impact. Events subsequent to Federation saw attempts to completely eradicate the ‘blacks’ through removal of children from their parents and the further taking of previously occupied land. The original inhabitants were considered to be non-people, only being given the rights of citizenship in 1967. 44 years later indigenous people still struggle for recognition, respect and opportunity to truly enjoy life as part of ‘one Australia’. So, for me, this is not a cause for celebration, but rather it should be the catalyst for further listening and reflection. Pride in the steps we have taken in recent times, particularly in the area of reconciliation, should be tempered with a liberal dose of humility, acknowledging the mistakes that have been made and recognising the difficulty of the road ahead but also recognising that the diverse indigenous culture is as rich a part of the common wealth of this nation as any resource. If we choose to listen, there is much we can learn.
Respect for the indigenous people of this country has led me to not celebrate Australia Day and I would be happy to see it removed from the nation’s calendar. However, I am proud to be a member of a church having an on-going commitment to reconciliation and am encouraged by our desire to show respect for the First Australians through the implementation of a Reconciliation Action Plan. Approaching another Australia Day, let’s reflect on the great cost of our nationhood to our indigenous brothers and sisters. While honouring and celebrating our Australianness, let’s also acknowledge and reflect on the history that accompanies that and how we might participate in positive acts of reconciliation.
Steve
Wondering Pilgrim 