Thread

1. bpbp-mango · 1789603352 · focus · HN ↗

   The current government seems to be quite determined to pretend our British heritage isn't a large and important part of us. I don't understand it.

   1. marcus_holmes · 1789606483 · focus · HN ↗

      It's because the British heritage involved committing huge crimes against the indigenous folks that we haven't really acknowledged and haven't dealt with. We can't move on until we do. So we're kinda stuck.

      1. BLKNSLVR · 1789607211 · focus · HN ↗

         I think it's fairly well acknowledged, but there is no 'dealt with' that fits into any kind of reality I'm familiar with.

         My purely observational understanding is that there are fundamental incompatibilities between aboriginal and 'western/British' culture. "Ownership" of land as probably the primary example. I don't know how that gets 'dealt with'.

         1. lokar · 1789607772 · focus · HN ↗

            I don’t know the discussion in Australia, but in Alaska (also having an indigenous population with land ownership) they found solutions. Regional “native corporations” were given large amounts of valuable land, natives were given preferential resource rights (fishing, etc).

            Not everything is perfect (far from it), but a lot has been done.

            1. marcus_holmes · 1789609834 · focus · HN ↗

               Yeah, other ex-British colonies with similar problems are doing great work in reconciling their differences. We could learn from them.

               1. lokar · 1789656527 · focus · HN ↗

                  I think in Alaska it helps that the natives have enough votes to be politically relevant.
      2. manyatoms · 1789617201 · focus · HN ↗

         That doesn't feel like a topic that impacts trade/mobility deals at the international level

         1. marcus_holmes · 1789620371 · focus · HN ↗

            Yeah true to an extent, but that wasn't what the parent was talking about. There's a huge ongoing discussion about Australia's national identity, most recently fuelled by the rise of Australia's home-grown MAGA mob, One Nation.

            If they get their way (though there's a lot of doubt whether, similar to UK's Reform, this is all just talk and if they ever get into power they'll just feed the rich, like Trump did), they'll sever trade connections with Asia and strengthen ties with the US and EU, because racism.

            So there is some connection to trade policy.

      3. bpbp-mango · 1789617343 · focus · HN ↗

         I think Australia is a great country and Australians should be proud of our British heritage, institutions and culture. I don't think that's incompatible with reparations or whatever you have in mind for the Aboriginals.
      4. Toslink · 1789619108 · focus · HN ↗

         [dead]

   2. BLKNSLVR · 1789606900 · focus · HN ↗

      As an Australian, I don't think our 'heritage' is of much consequence. Current constituency and overall stability matter more, to me.

      If you mean 'our British heritage' as in, the percentage of the Australian population with British backgrounds, then that counts towards 'current constituency' in my definition.

      This is unfair to the aboriginals, however, and that's a circle I believe is impossible to square.

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