So hence forth I go and detail the working of my mind. Or as well as I can consciously do this.
The Changing of the Flag of Australia/ Or the creation of a flag of reconcilaition
Forward:
Here are my
views for the justification or explanation of the proposal to change the flag
of Both Australia and of the People of the First peoples of the Nations of
Australia.
The proposal
to change the flag is an individual process of change throughout time that was
prompted by the work of me as well as the interest that I have in the
Aboriginal people.
The process
of change was prompted by the listening to and the reading of a speech given by
Kerry Arabena at both the Annual Charles Perkins Oration where she described
the platform of the New Congress of Australias first peoples. Also a subsequent speech that I read that was
also delivered by Kerry Arabena titled. “Using
Science to Reframe the reconciliation debate” found here http://www.reconciliation.org.au/home/news/speeches
It is
believed that to have true reconciliation there needs to be a movement that is
driven not as a element of Race relations but rather from the perspective of
our shared journey of Humanity. Inviting ourselves to seek the similarities
within us all instead of focusing on the difference’s.
However as a
statement of moving forward we also require the acknowledgement of the past and
the present in order to fully reconcile into the future.
It is with
in mind that I write this proposal for the amendement of the Flags of
Australia. Under Section 5 of the Flags
Act.
The meaning and justification of the
design of the proposed flag.
In the vein
of the Past and present becoming one the flowing is given as the meaning of the
original Aboriginal Flag current exists as an Official Flag of Australia as set
out in 5 of the Flags Act in 1995.
It was given
as meaning from the source http://www.aiatsis.gov.au/fastfacts/AboriginalFlag.html
That each
part of the flag has an individual meaning.
Symbolic Meaning
The
symbolic meaning of the flag colours (as stated by Mr Harold Thomas) are:
- Black: Represents the Aboriginal people of Australia
- Red: Represents the red earth, the red ochre and a spiritual relation to the land
- Yellow: Represents the Sun, the giver of life and protector
Hence the
meaning of the flag that is present within the proposal remains the same and
has the same significants to all as set out by Harold Thomas.
However I as
a white Asutralian wish to Acknowledge the traditional owners of the land and
Elders both past and present. But also
wish to express a great sorrow at the treatment of the First peoples throughout
the history of the Nation of Australia.
The white
circle is the left hand quater of the proposed flag has two representations.
1. One and more positively it represents
the Moon and the process of day falling to night and darkness however within
the darkness of the moon there is a great capacity for healing and deep reflection
that can often be representated by the Moon.
Also the moon takes her place on the flag as the balance to the
sun. As represented in the original
symbolism of theAboriginal Flag as designed by Harold Thomas.
2.
But the white circle also is representative of
the reason for the apology that was given in the Australian parliament on 13th
of February 2008 by the then Prime Minister Kevin Rudd. This justification is the reminder that the
stain of invasion/ settlement has had on the first people’s of the Nations of
Australia. That throughout the history
of the occupation of the land the Government has had a systematic and organised
process of non acknowgelegment and disempowerment throughout this time.
a.
This systematic disempowerment can be observed
through the official government policies of:
i.
The original premis of Terra Nullius (land of no
one)
ii.
Protection
iii.
Assimilation
iv.
Integration
v.
Self determination
vi.
Multi Culturism
vii.
The varying experiences of the stolen generation
viii.
Throughout many of these policies the First
peoples of the Nations of Australia were notin strictly legal terms in
existence.
ix.
And this leads to where we are today in regard
the policy of reconciliation.
b.
But to understand this there is a great body of
work to be within the area of Reconciliation has work done there is still work
to do as indicated in the forward and in the reference to the speeches listed
above.
c.
As there in Australia the unacknowledged
understanding that Australia had a WHITE Australia policy that was officially
still an ACT of Parliment up until the year 1973. Although the History and practise of the
White Autralia Policy was primarily economic and based around the restrictive
practises for immagrants coming into Australia.
It is worth noting that as a historical practise of Australia that although
we have an idealic life we also have a history that needs reconciliation by
all.
d.
Also that we still have RACE powers within the
current Australian Constitution that is the basis of the rule of LAW within our
country.
We do however look and seek to go forth into the future with
attitude of equality and positivity and hence it is seen that we draw more from
the image of the healing power of the moon as the statement rather than the
stain but to acknowledge the hurt and pain is a required action.
The inclusion of the Southern cross in the flag (although it
is expected that the next flag would have the southern Cross with a combination
of 4 seven pointed starts and as set out
in the Flags Act 1954 as indicated below.
Table B—Stars of the Southern
Cross
Position
of Centre
|
Outer
Diameter
|
Inner
Diameter
|
Number
|
|
Name
|
The
fractions are fractions of
width of flag |
In
fractions of outer diameter
|
of
Points |
|
Alpha
Crucis
|
On
middle line, one‑sixth from bottom edge
|
One‑seventh
|
Four‑ninths
|
Seven
|
Beta
Crucis
|
One‑quarter
from middle line, at right angles on left to a point on middle line one‑sixteenth
above centre of fly
|
One‑seventh
|
Four‑ninths
|
Seven
|
Gamma
Crucis
|
On
middle line one‑sixth from top edge
|
One‑seventh
|
Four‑ninths
|
Seven
|
Delta
Crucis
|
Two‑ninths
from middle line at right angles on right to a point one‑fifteenth above a
point on middle line one‑sixteenth above centre of fly
|
One‑seventh
|
Four‑ninths
|
Seven
|
Epsilon
Crucis
|
One‑tenth
from middle line at right angles on right to a point on middle line one
twenty‑fourth below centre of fly
|
One‑twelfth
|
Four‑ninths
|
Five
|
That we draw again from the current Australian Flag that has
as a significant emotional significance to that of the people of Australia. To acknowledge change but proposed that we
seek again the positives of the current state of affairs that the southern cross
works for a wide variety of people.
Also it is acknowledged that the significance of the
Southern Cross in the History of Australia is exemplified by the historical
context on which it is set such as indicated by.
More examples of equality for all
races came in revolutionary ideals of the 1850s. At the 1854 Eureka rebellion, Raffaelo
Carboni, an Italian migrant, called on the crowd,
"irrespective of
nationality, religion and colour", to salute the Southern Cross as the
"refuge of all the oppressed from all the countries on earth".
My own belief is that it is this
statement that Australia can be seen as a refuge from many of the struggles
that have plagued other areas and nations over time and we can truly embrace
the concept of Reconcilitation with not only the First peoples of the Nations
of Australia. But with all people who
choose to now to call Australia Home as indicated by the little known 2nd
verse of the Autralian Anthem.
For those who’ve come across the seas
We’ve boundless plains to share;
With courage let us all combine.
To Advance Australia Fair.
And have a true reconciliation with all for all.
This all all may seem to be symbolic
and In presenting this information I have been told that Symbolism will get
nothing changed however I see that it is Symbolism that is the key point that
is required as Symbolism when undertaken in the right way can speak to more
than head but to the heart and mind and spirit of a great many people. I see that this is what has the capacity to
move people to create a great within themselves and thus working from the
premise that in order to improve that which outside of us we first need to
create an environment “WITHIN OURSELVES” to allow that change to permeate
through us and into those around us.
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