While Australia Day comes every year with his debates about meaning and whether we can express his name or not, this year feels different.
Last year it was divisions voting referendum and the disgusting attack in Israel on October 7, 2023, events still fresh in our mind.
But this Australia day we have the lived experience of almost 15 months since those events. That expiration of time has shown us many things, one of which is how quickly we are able to turn into deep -rooted separatism.
Those 15 months are reason for careful reflection on Australia Day.
They demand a serious response from each of us about what kind of nation we want to be. Because if we are not satisfied with the ever in -depth schisms that come up, we must be incredibly intentional about their reversal. One thing that does not help that cause is to change the date of Australia Day.
Changing the date can cause temporary feelings of victory for a small group of people, but again, it promotes a national mindset of tribalism – one group against another. To be honest, the past 15 months have given us enough, it is time in our backyard.
But furthermore, changing the date will simply not improve the life of our most marginalized. Not once I heard a plausible explanation about how it would improve the 20 percent of the 3 percent of indigenous Australians who experience the most disadvantage and vulnerability in this country.
Encourage tribalism and do nothing to improve our marginalized? Not a cause that I will find out, especially on a day that should remind us of who we are, and the unity that has been such an important part of our history.
Australia's success is based on unity and resilience, says Jacinta Price
Our friendship and loyalty to each other are intertwined in our historical identity. Australians of all origins, including native Australians, proudly fought under one flag to defend and maintain our nation.
Personally, that is a country that I want to see again.
I want a country that is ready, prepared and able to defend itself in the case, forbid God, that we are invaded or attacked by a foreign power.
A country that is not under one flag as a threat to the core of who we are; A country that is celebrating all its citizens, regardless of their racial heritage.
And I make the point about foreign invasion because that possibility would require unity more than all others. But it would be foolish to think that we could somehow collect as a united collective to defend our country, simply because danger arrives at our door.
It will then be too late. The work of unity is now happening.
I used to think that such a united nation was something that most of us agreed that there was a noble pursuit. But in retrospect from the last 15 months, I am no longer sure.
The past 15 months have shown that many people are now led by emotion above everything else.
From respect for emotions of bitterness and resentment, I fear that some would see the rule the destruction of our nation than to be counted equally, shoulder to shoulder with any other citizen.
Maybe I'm wrong; I hope I am.
Lack Liberal Party Senator Jacinta Nampijinpa Prize (Center) is depicted with young indigenous supporters holding an Australian flag
Senator Nampijinpa Price called on people to 'concentrate on what unites us instead of sharing'. A smoking ceremony is depicted
But in case I am not, I beg all this Australia day to act according to slightly higher than pure emotion. The privilege of belonging to a collective sometimes requires us to set aside the dictations of emotion in favor of the greater good.
I am not saying that we have to neglect our emotions, simply that they do not always point to the north and that we must ultimately be led by what that does.
Our success as a prosperous Western democracy is one of those true leading realities.
For our small contribution to the world population, our success and contributions are remarkable. Let the success of our nation so far guide us ahead before our emotion and reactions take over.
Think of those who unite and fought under one flag for the nation that we are so privileged to live in today; Think about the contributions both historical and current Australians to the world; And exercise gratitude – for all those things and more, such as our beautiful natural backyard, our way of life and liberal democratic values.
Because the recovery of our national pride and rebuilding our unit depends on each of us. What we do, say and think when individuals are important for the cause. Not only for you or only for me, but for the well -being of our neighbors and our friends, for the well -being of Australia and the world, to the end.
Senator Jacinta Nampijinpa Price is the spokeswoman for the indigenous indigenous affairs.
