Update: 1/4/21
I just now learned that there was a lack of consultation with Indigenous nations about the one-word change to Australia’s national anthem — with the exception, apparently, of Indigenous members of Parliament, before the public announcement.

Disappointing revelation, to be sure. The anthem change seems to have brought about a mixed bag reaction from the nation’s Indigenous population. Frustration at being left out (again) and cautious optimism for addressing the issues of the First Nations of Australia beyond small, symbolic gestures in the future.

I hope for the best outcomes for Australia. And I apologize for any glaring errors expressed in my post.

Here’s some refreshing news to kick off 2021 (and to finish off 2020):

Australia Tweaks Anthem to Recognize Indigenous History

The lyrics of Australia’s national anthem have been altered by one word to recognize the country’s Indigenous history, Prime Minister Scott Morrison announced Thursday.

Until Friday [January 1, 2021], the song began: “Australians all let us rejoice, for we are young and free.” But as the country celebrated the beginning of the new year, the “young” was dropped. The anthem now describes the country as “one and free.”

Prime Minister Scott Morrison said:

In the spirit of unity, it is only right that we also now acknowledge this and ensure our national anthem reflects this truth and shared appreciation. … Changing ‘young and free’ to ‘one and free’ takes nothing away, but I believe it adds much.”

The New York Times and other news media reported that the move was supported across the political spectrum.

Isn’t that awesome?!

It’s only symbolic, yes, but nevertheless, a tiny step forwards in finally – and officially, acknowledging their nation’s indigenous history. Whose native people have been residents for upwards of 60,000 years, according to current research.

Heck, Australia also tweaked the first line of its national anthem to make it more inclusive of women when “Australia’s sons” became “Australians all.”

And this was after they ditched their first anthem, “God Save the Queen” in 1984, a vestige of British colonialism.

You go, Aussies!

I hardly know a thing about Australia and its history, save for its location on a world map, but I’ll venture to say that Australia’s indigenous population has likely suffered centuries-long indignities and injustices imposed upon them with impunity by colonizers, corporations, and their present-day fellow citizens.

Just like in the United States of America and every land where indigenous populations reside.

The first thing that came to mind when I saw the headline about this was: Aussies are woke!

Yes, I’m quite sure a good lot of them already are – I have worked with and befriended several over the years; however, it is rather nice when one’s government makes an official, symbolic gesture of recognition of their long-oppressed Indigenous population through a slight change in their national anthem – in the spirit of unity, after an excruciatingly painful year for everyone. Don’t you think so?

WOKE.

What a hot-button word that’s become.

Wikipedia says woke:

is a political term which originated in the United States and it refers to a perceived awareness of issues which concern social justice and racial justice. It derives from the African-American Vernacular English expression “stay woke“, whose grammatical aspect refers to a continuing awareness of these issues.

This term, according to Wikipedia, has roots in political culture and political ads during the 1860 presidential election in support of Abraham Lincoln, when the Republican Party cultivated the movement to primarily oppose the spread of slavery as described in the Wide Awakes movement.

Usage of woke dates to the 1960s; some sources say the early 70s. Others mention 2008.

Opponents and critics of wokeness describe it as something pretentious, elitist, self-righteous, authoritarian, and other unflattering adjectives. It’s been called a PC litmus test and a boundary line separating people. And detractors call woke people “hypersensitive”. Sometimes critics attack “woke culture” as a way of claiming victim status for yourself rather than acknowledging that more deserving others hold that status.

Even former U.S. President Barack Obama expressed comments in October 2019 that critiqued woke culture, stating: “This idea of purity and you’re never compromised and you’re politically woke, and all that stuff – you should get over that quickly. The world is messy. There are ambiguities. People who do really good stuff have flaws.”

Well, I don’t know about the purity part, Mr. President…I haven’t heard or read about that. Yet. Granted, there are people who may not be effective at communicating their message of raising awareness about injustices past and present toward marginalized people and who may be completely unwilling to listen to opposing viewpoints.

But what I want to know is: why are some people so deeply hostile to learning about historical and present day injustices toward others that it practically elicits a strong, viseral feeling of disgust that is palpable to those listening?

I’ve heard the exasperated comments from loved ones, coworkers, acquaintances, and strangers in public: Why is XYZ bringing this slave stuff up again? or Why are we talking about stuff that happened hundreds of years ago? I didn’t do that shit! or Am I supposed to feel guilty again?! or All lives matter!

Oh, don’t get me started on “all lives matter”! That’s such a cheap shot. A below-the-belt insult and denialism of others’ lived experiences. Of course, all lives matter. But in America and everywhere else, some people’s lives are valued more than others. Anyone with a shred of respect for history and who is aware of how our legal justice system operates in reality can see that.

This feeling guilty business? That came from people I know and like. No one is trying to make you feel guilty! Where does this insecurity come from? Are you even listening to what’s being said? Why in the world do you think receiving information about injustices against others different from you is supposed to make you feel guilt-ridden?

Of course you aren’t personally responsible for horrific acts done against others hundreds of years ago. This isn’t about you.

However, if you will claim to be someone who values freedom for all, then why do you have so much trouble, so much hostility, toward others who have fought and continue to fight for their freedom? Freedom from not being killed for being who they are? Freedom from discriminatory laws and practices directed at them?

I feel I have a bit of a clue about injustices and indiginities suffered by others; I am someone who’s still fair game to the willfully ignorant out in the world through being a target of racial hostility and harrassment from random strangers, and from having had my life threatened because of who I am. Thankfully, these incidents have been few and far between (excepting the last four years) and only a drop in the bucket compared to what my parents, relatives, and previous generations before me endured. So yeah, to all you critics and detractors out there, I think I earned my hypersensitivity!

Hopefully, all those unhappy incidents and the knowledge of my family’s discriminatory experiences have made me more considerate and sensitive toward others’ pain.

I want to always be aware of what is going on in the world.

To be woke. To the best of my ability.

It’s a lifelong endeavor of learning. Of being willing to accept some measure of discomfort.

I’d much rather be acutely aware than be in hostile denial or be in willful ignorance of wrongs done to others. To be otherwise would be disrespecting myself. A slap in the face to my family, friends, and every person who believes in justice and accountability. That’s how I feel to the marrow of my osteoporotic spine.

By the way, I’m not into being elitist, pretentious, authoritarian, or self-righteous. I don’t think those behaviors necessarily go hand-in-hand with being sensitized to others who’ve experienced indignities.

Sources

Wikipedia
New York Times
The Guardian
AIATSIS
Slangit
Merriam-Webster
The American Conservative
SONGLYRICS
National Herald India
Otago Daily Times
The Guardian