Dear Julia,
I just wanted to say that I think you did an amazing job! I'm sorry to see you go - but unfortunately it had to be.
I have to admit that I was a bit surprised that some of the commentators were suggesting that it was a sad way to see Australia's first female PM disposed - but given the way that you got the job in the first place, I think they missed the point entirely! It was no sadder to see an elected male prime minister go in the same way, and to suggest otherwise is sexist in itself.
You are right though - the fact that you are a woman was a huge issue. I loved 'the misogyny speech' - you hit the nail square on the head. It was absolutely appalling for Mr Abbott to use those words in the context that he did, and you were right to call him on it. Even in some of the commentary surrounding that speech people were using language like "shrill" and "histrionic" to describe it, without actually realising that these words themselves would not have been used if you had been male.
I also shed a tear when I heard Rob Oakeshott's valedictory speech - and he was right - your father would have been so proud of you. Whilst I can't speak for the female population of Australia - this Australian woman is proud of you. And you were right too - it will be easier for those who come after you, and I thank you on behalf of myself, and my unborn daughter.
I hope history will be kind to you. I don't think anyone else could have lead Australia through this minority government. We had such a wonderful opportunity for every Australian to have their points of views debated and heard, but the Liberal Party's 3 year long 'dummy spit' saw us squander that opportunity. Even faced with that constant negativity, and the bulk of the mainstream media against you, you stood firm and pushed us forward.
So - good job, and thank you.
Regards,
Phoebe
Friday, 28 June 2013
Friday, 31 May 2013
Racism in Australia
Yesterday I had lunch with six highly educated professionals in a flashy restaurant overlooking the Brisbane River.
At one stage during the afternoon, the conversation turned to this week's controversy surrounding the comments made to and about Adam Goodes.
To my absolute dismay, the majority of the group could not understand why "ape" was a racist slur. Their comments equated with some of the recurring themes from the week, for example "I've been called an ape before and I'm white so what's the big deal" and also "Goodes is supposed to be a big tough footballer but he couldn't take one little word from a little girl".
A 13 year old girl might not have known any better, and Eddie Maguire was just plain stupid to say what he did, but I had expected better from this group of people. I had assumed that the ones who didn't get it were either stupid or wilfully ignorant (possibly both). On the whole, I thought that this was a good opportunity to educate them about the errors of their ways.
But now I'm really worried. I knew the people I had lunch with, I knew they were highly intelligent (or at least I had previously thought them to be) and I knew they were all educated to a post-graduate level. Surely, at some stage in the 20 odd years that they spent being educated, somebody, somewhere, must have taught them about racism, or at least about the history of the treatment indigenous Australians. Apparently not.
Australia - we desperately need to have a conversation about racism (and also the state of our education system). We obviously need to talk about what constitutes racism - because it seems that we can't even recognise it when it is staring us in the face. We have to keep talking about this and we have to educate those who do not understand.
To all those who have been hurt and offended by racism in Australia - I offer my apologies on behalf of my community, I am sorry, and I am ashamed.
Finally, as it would unfortunately seem that it IS necessary to explain why 'ape' is a racial slur, here it is... Historically, society viewed indigenous people (really anyone with dark skin) as sub-human, that is, not fully evolved. This misguided belief was used to justify stealing their lands, and their children - not to mention genocide and so much more.
When viewed in that context, don't you think that indigenous Australians have a right to be upset at that word in particular? When Adam Goodes heard someone yell that word at him, wasn't it reasonable for him to draw the conclusion that whoever had said it was not just referring to his physical appearance but alluding to a whole lot more? The fact that it turned out to be a 13 year old girl demonstrates how necessary it is for us as a society to discuss racism in Australia.
At one stage during the afternoon, the conversation turned to this week's controversy surrounding the comments made to and about Adam Goodes.
To my absolute dismay, the majority of the group could not understand why "ape" was a racist slur. Their comments equated with some of the recurring themes from the week, for example "I've been called an ape before and I'm white so what's the big deal" and also "Goodes is supposed to be a big tough footballer but he couldn't take one little word from a little girl".
A 13 year old girl might not have known any better, and Eddie Maguire was just plain stupid to say what he did, but I had expected better from this group of people. I had assumed that the ones who didn't get it were either stupid or wilfully ignorant (possibly both). On the whole, I thought that this was a good opportunity to educate them about the errors of their ways.
But now I'm really worried. I knew the people I had lunch with, I knew they were highly intelligent (or at least I had previously thought them to be) and I knew they were all educated to a post-graduate level. Surely, at some stage in the 20 odd years that they spent being educated, somebody, somewhere, must have taught them about racism, or at least about the history of the treatment indigenous Australians. Apparently not.
Australia - we desperately need to have a conversation about racism (and also the state of our education system). We obviously need to talk about what constitutes racism - because it seems that we can't even recognise it when it is staring us in the face. We have to keep talking about this and we have to educate those who do not understand.
To all those who have been hurt and offended by racism in Australia - I offer my apologies on behalf of my community, I am sorry, and I am ashamed.
Finally, as it would unfortunately seem that it IS necessary to explain why 'ape' is a racial slur, here it is... Historically, society viewed indigenous people (really anyone with dark skin) as sub-human, that is, not fully evolved. This misguided belief was used to justify stealing their lands, and their children - not to mention genocide and so much more.
When viewed in that context, don't you think that indigenous Australians have a right to be upset at that word in particular? When Adam Goodes heard someone yell that word at him, wasn't it reasonable for him to draw the conclusion that whoever had said it was not just referring to his physical appearance but alluding to a whole lot more? The fact that it turned out to be a 13 year old girl demonstrates how necessary it is for us as a society to discuss racism in Australia.
Tuesday, 28 May 2013
Miscellaneous Musings
First post. A test.
I eventually plan to write articles and comment on politics and current affairs. I'm sure no-one will ever read my crazy musings, but it's hard to remain silent when the world is going to hell in a handbasket...
I eventually plan to write articles and comment on politics and current affairs. I'm sure no-one will ever read my crazy musings, but it's hard to remain silent when the world is going to hell in a handbasket...
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