When you're celebrating today, spare a thought for people who may feel displaced disillusioned or unheard when a day that signified death, dispossession and loss is being Celebrated. In saying that I must say that this is the first year where I have seen a shift in the message of Australia day and an invitation for all to partake in it in spite of a person's reservations because all opinions are welcome. I am, you are, we are Australia.
The indigenous struggle reminds me so much of my own. The Nigerian civil war of 1967 to 1970 which saw thousands of starving Biafran children and millions of dead Biafrans. After the war, the returned Biafrans were dispossessed of their land and monies. They had to start over in spite of the emotional, physical and psychological trauma they were dealt with for the crime of seeking to create their own state, a state they were forced into by British settlement. Nigerians have buried their heads in the sand since this war and have refused to acknowledge it through policies that may aim at reconsilatory policies, apologies, discourse or through any form of acknowledgement through the education system.
What it leaves in its wake is a Nigeria that lacks trust and empathy. A Nigeria that will be forever caught in the cycle of past hurt and trauma.
The indigenous peoples story resonate with me as a human firstly and a Nigerian immigrant secondly. But not everyone will understand this story. There are people who will say move on, its been so long, it didn't happen to you. Believe me I've heard people say this.
But let's continue to challenge their ignorance and educate with every opportunity we get.
Tell them that trauma is carried on genetically. That culture, kinship and language is important and when stolen can cause even more trauma. Tell them that empathy, an acknowledgement of past wrong and a determination to do better is all we need for the future here in Australia and in Nigeria.
