Striving For National Peace And Unity

Different countries may be at odds within their nation when it comes to recognising rights and entitlements of what they class as minorities.

Australia has been on a long road trying to set things right with our historical Past and treatment of our Indigenous (minority), as well as those of different nationalities coming to Australia.

While Australia now boasts it is multicultural and multiracial, reflected by acceptance of cultural practices, food, lifestyle and experience, we continue to work on setting things right.

Excerpts from Timeline: Indigenous rights movement http://www.sbs.com.au/news/article/2010/11/08/timeline-indigenous-rights-movement

1901: In Australia, there has been an Indigenous rights movement from the beginning of the 20th century with the White Australia Policy which excluded the Indigenous Australians from voting, pensions, Armed Forces and other rights. The White Australia Policy was also Australia's approach to immigration favouring applicants from certain countries.

1962: All Indigenous people are given the right to vote in Commonwealth elections.

1972: An Indigenous Tent Embassy is established outside Australia’s Parliament House, adopting the Indigenous flag; and upon election of a new Australian Prime Minister the White Australia policy is abolished.

1975: Racial Discrimination Act 1975 (Cth) passed.

Fast forward to 1992: The High Court’s Mabo case decision overturns terra nullius,[1] ruling that native title exists over unalienated Crown land, national parks and reserves. A win for our Indigenous.

1997: inquiry into the Stolen Generations (i.e. our treatment of the Indigenous), is released. It recommends a national Sorry Day to commemorate the history and effects of removing the indigenous children from their families because at the time it was thought it was better to bring and raise children to white families.

2008 - 13th February: Australian Prime Minister officially says 'Sorry' to the Stolen Generations.

Bottom line: Personally, I believe it is important to recognise rights and entitlements of minorities and strive towards that end for peace and unity within a country’s nation. Multicultural and multiracial mixes can enrich a nation, because there is much we can learn from each other.

I can only wish and pray for peace and unity in America following events of Charlottesville.



[1] 'Terra Nullius'! Translate it into English and you have a 'Land that belongs to no-one'. http://mabonativetitle.com/tn_01.shtml

 

Well, gossiping over the fence, graffiti, phone talk, telegraphic messages, newspapers and handwritten letters (which I still maintain for select communications, pure enjoyment of writing (“snail mail”) and comes with total privacy away from internet snoops) today has been replaced with various forms of modern media communications you mentioned.

The only real difference is the speed “news” travels today…but the opinions, gossip and war mongers’ intent in their communications remains unchanged. These same types still communicate views/opinions/lies a lot faster now and to an international audience.

People are people, good and bad and not all act in a responsible manner or thought of their actions. Unfortunately, that will never change and that’s why laws continue to change to manage some Rule of Law.

But the higher the status of the communicator, the higher risk of the effects, evidenced by Kim Jong-un/Trump.

Personally, in my view, it falls down on voters particularly those in democratic societies, to have enough common sense, decency, responsibility, fortitude, knowledge of candidates and a need for peace and unity to properly consider who they will elect and the effect that person will have in their lives.

 

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/12/18/end-of-slavery-anniversary_n_4466330.html

http://www.history.com/topics/black-history/voting-rights-act

Interestingly enough, the Republican party was for these things, the Democrats, not so much.

 

Quote “President Lincoln is credited with advocating for the amendment and working to push it forward through Congress…”

President Lincoln accomplished a great change in trying to unite your country. Looking at your quote, it is interesting to note the following upon checking the link working to push it forward:

Quote “…The 13th amendment to the United States Constitution provides that "Neither slavery nor involuntary servitude, except as a punishment for crime whereof the party shall have been duly convicted, shall exist within the United States, or any place subject to their jurisdiction…”[1]

So interpretation of “…except as a punishment for crime…” means Chain Gangs are still in use in the USA? Isn’t this a form of slavery – by convicted prisoners?

Quote: "However, according to CBS News, the state of Mississippi did not ratify the amendment until February of this year, due to an “oversight.”

Upon checking the link according to CBS News:

I had to smile upon noting an oversight by Public Servant(s) "What an amendment to have an error in filing,"[1]

We often have a bit of a giggle with some bits of legislation, and say the error probably occurred while some government staff were working back late chewing on pizza with a glass of wine and missed including important sections when drafting law.

Quote:
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/12/18/end-of-slavery-anniversary_n_4466330.html

Australian history also has its dark side when we look at how we treated convicts deported to Australia during early colonization and our wicked treatment of the Indigenous. Slavery comes in any form of unpaid labour, unsafe working conditions, exploitation, abuse which was discovered during an Australian Human Rights Commission

While we rebuke any form of slavery, upon investigating employment complaints particularly with overseas students or people new to Australia trying to scratch a living, working conditions and treatment show breaches of Human Rights.

Quote: The Voting Rights Act…August 6, 1965, aimed to overcome legal barriers at the state and local levels that prevented African Americans from exercising their right to vote under the 15th Amendment (1870) to the Constitution of the United States…

http://www.history.com/topics/black-history/voting-rights-act

Voting rights of our Indigenous was in 1962…and we’re still making changes for their rights.

 

Good reporting is backed up with facts, totally transparent – not opinions – showing the “good, bad and the ugly”, and leaving it to the viewer to make their own judgments.

Bad or skewed “reporting” often done by entertainers on talk shows high on opinions and missing facts really aren’t reporting, can quickly be ripped apart when made to face facts. There’s an entertainment show with biased views I enjoy watching (acting as though they’re reporters), try to twist facts. When challenged with facts they try to distract to avoid answering honestly.

Unseen Trolls can be abusive...but they wouldn’t have the gumption to comment same face to face.

I’m tired of hearing injury claims by people getting hit crossing the road or driving because they were busy texting, (A$400 fine if hand held or phone not in a cradle while driving).

Social media (FB, Tweet, etc.) is diminishing face to face communication skills and people are not exercising as much as before all this technology. So yes, it is a health issue. In offices, desk tops can be elevated so a person now stands when using their computer screen...”sitting being the new smoking”!

Last January we had a rally by groups against celebration of Australia Day which our Indigenous view as “Invasion Day”. It turned nasty…but police acted quickly so thankfully violent protesters were subdued and taken away. I was joining in the celebration on that day within the area and saw it firsthand.

I was quite impressed and applauded the Indigenous leader (Warren Mundine) who said the violence was unacceptable: "If we want to have a mature, sensible discussion and debate about a day that brings us all together as a nation then fighting ... [is] not a way to do it."

 

Yes serving as a historical reminder...but it appears it depends on how they are depicted and where...some say to leave the statues where they are but include an inscription to express in some manner Human Rights as a way of apology...logically, this would cut costs for removal/placement into museums...something needs to be decided for resolution to calm both sides.

While this Bill which "...extends electronic device ban to pedestrians and bicyclists.." has only been passed its first reading..if it gets through would be a logical move financially when you think about it. Council and comprehensive third party insurance covering such accidents would be minimised!

 

No one is destroying statues nor is anyone being wiped from history.

 

Mob reaction to the problem is not a solution:
North Carolina’s Democratic Gov. Roy Cooper - “The racism and deadly violence in Charlottesville is unacceptable but there is a better way to remove these monuments..”
http://nypost.com/2017/08/15/officials-respond-after-mob-tears-down-confederate-statue/