What A Nation

What ANATION           

I don’t understand why the discussions about whether the Aboriginal Flag should be displayed at the Olympic Games have been raised many times since the first time when Cathy Freeman cloaked herself in the Aboriginal flag in 1994 Commonwealth Games. So what is the real business behind the flags and T-shirt?

Since 1788 the first fleet arrived in Australia there has been conflict between the white people and Aboriginal people for the long history. Leave the history behind because we cannot go back to change it. However, today we live together AS A NATION peacefully.

Really?  If that is true then what is the point we discuss about the flags issue for such a long period of time. It is understandable why Hooper and Cathy Freeman did show Aboriginal flags to at the Olympics games to represent Australia. Perhaps, Hooper and Cathy Freeman want to show the world that they proud their identity as Aboriginal part of Australian. I believe it all depends on how we interpreter the actions and how the rest of the world interpret the action.

Can we simplify it that Hooper and Cathy Freedom are showing the Aboriginal flag at the Olympic Games because they want the world to know that they representing Australia and that they are Aboriginal Australians.

So I believe there is nothing wrong for Hooper to wear a T-shirt with a big Aboriginal flag on his chest to represent Australia at the Olympic Games. But it will be better if he has Australia’s flags in the front of his chest of T-shirt and an Aboriginal flag at back of the shirt. That will be a better way to represent Australia as a nation.

 I think generally the world values that the Aboriginal flag is an important symbol of Australia as are others such as kangaroo and koala. If the majority of world agrees that the Aboriginal flag is also symbolising Australia will that be good enough?

We can keep saying that it is a SPORTS and POLITICS issue because then we don’t have to doing anything about it. But really? That could be one of the reasons for the issue but are we individuals that have responsibilities for this? How many people really truly feel SORRY when Kevin Rudd said SORRY to the Aboriginal population in 2008? Then can we stop to say sorry for what has been done and do something about it. That would make Australia a better country and proud nation. We Australians need to question ourselves in depth; what is the real business behind the flags and T-shirt?

 If we are a nation then we are together! Don’t say “Our Australia and Aborigines” So it all comes down to the question “ARE WE A NATION?”