Aussies aren't as in-your-face with their adoration of their country as... say, Americans, but they're just as slow to actually criticise their country. They'll criticise politicians - any figure of authority, really - but not the general population or country itself. There's this "she'll be right," apathetic attitude that is really disturbing. Every year, I tend to think about what needs to be done around here - things that tax makers and tax payers can work to achieve...
1. Close of the gap between Indigenous Australians and "White Australia".
Simple solutions, but hard work. Education, government funding, and I think most importantly: a change in peoples' attitudes.
2. A huge decrease in racists and xenophobes.
The second verse of the Australian national anthem beckons, "for those who've come across the seas, we've boundless plains to share". It's almost amusing that racists seem to ignore this fact when upholding their snow-white vision of this place.
If they honestly feel the need to tell others to "Fuck off, we're full", well, there's ways to make room. This can be done by:
a) all racists being sent on a boat holiday, refugee style. If they survive and shed their discriminatory views then they may be readmitted to our society.
Or, I'd settle for...
b) all racists being permanently kept in a detention centre on Christmas Island.
3. Equal pay for equal work between Aussie men and women.
The USA expects this to happen for their workers in about 2024. Australia supposedly has a lot longer to wait, which is just despicable. I'm not comparing what we can do with another nation, I'm comparing what we can do as people.
Barry and Sheila worked for Man's World Pty Ltd. They had the same degree, had their induction together, worked in the same department as accountants from 9-5 and wore the same colours every day. But for some inexplicable reason, Barry was paid more.
4. Legalisation of euthanasia.
Having seen someone with a terminal illness live in pain just to suffer day after day, with no quality of life, I find it ironic that people seem to see euthanasia as what is immoral.
5. Legalisation of gay marriage.
People are people, and love is equal. Everyone should have the right to have their love legally recognised.
6. Australia becomes a Republic.
We've got nothing to do with Britain these days other than a shameful history, a bastardised version of their language and maybe some trade agreements. I like Britain, but it infuriates me to think that we're technically run by a woman who gets to rule the roost because of her "blue blood". May I add, in addition to regal titles, she's undoubtedly also passed on genetic defects to her children, one of which is destined to be our - HA! - King.You see, Elizabeth II is married to Prince Philip, who is her second cousin and third cousin through two of her different ancestors. That effectively makes her children a cousin to each of their parents, as well as a cousin to themselves. Shock horror! This provokes the question as to why Australians should be ruled by people who encourage a type of Eugenics theory? Should we admire them for their incestuous ancestry? I mean, that's the kind of shit that created haemophilia. Just saying. Oh, and also, the concept of "democracy" within a monarchy is extremely ironic. The constitutional monarchy is a thing to laugh at.
7. Change in design of the Australian flag.
Republic or not, the flag needs to change. We're not all from Britain, and the British weren't the first people to live here. The times have changed and the Union Jack is no longer relevant, though I dare say it never was.
8. Mandatory English language lessons.
You may think this is a racist point, but in all honesty it's not. Everyone has the right to speak their native tongue at home and in public, too. However, when a country functions using one language, and people who live within it are unable to communicate with others they do become a burden to society. Even worse, because of this they become the target of racists. My dad's parents can barely speak English, and what they can it's broken with a thick, Italian accent. They've basically relied on their kids for a lot of social interactions. Hence, English lessons are needed.
9. Increased literacy of English background speakers.
For people who have grown up speaking English, there is no excuse for poor spelling and bad grammar. The most annoying things I have ever encountered are stupid grammar mistakes when I read Facebook statuses or text messages - and I'm not talking about typos or absent-minded slips. I think it's because of the Australian accent and the way people translate it into their writing.
The most heinous?
- "Would of / should of" when it should have been "would have / should have", but most likely their contracted forms, "would've / should've". - eg, "I would of been there, but..."
- "Then" when "than" should be used - eg, "I like the new iPhone better then the last one."
- "He's" instead of "his" - eg, "He picked up he's phone" or "We're going to he's place". (This one is inexcusable. They have no idea of apostrophe rules, either.)
10. Australian of the Year awards are won only by deserving people.
Alright, a lot of deserving people win. People like Fiona Wood (2005), Prof. Michael Dodson (2009), and Prof. Ron McCallum, who won the senior award this year. These are all citizens who have contributed to better our society as a whole. But Jessica Watson for the youth award in 2011? And Maggie Beer for the senior award last year? Pfft. Not worthy, if you ask me.
No comments:
Post a Comment