Immigration Nation

I love my country. I love Australia. I love being an Australian. But sometimes I don't love Australia Day.

The prominence of 26 January has certainly grown over the last decade. It's now a big day for everyone to celebrate and a big day for the likes of beaches, barbeques and beers. Having such a national day should be something to relish. To celebrate from where we've come and to look toward where we're going.

Alas, some in this country use the day for their own narrow interests and prejudices which has resulted in a somewhat nasty edge to it. Cronulla is obviously the most stand-out example but there's been plenty of incidents since at places like Burleigh Heads, Newcastle and Bondi. Where mostly young and drunk idiots prance around draped in Australia flags looking for someone to belittle and abuse. Usually someone of a different colour or ethnicity.

"Love it or leave" they say. "We grew here, you flew here". "Fark off, we're full".

Most of these morons wouldn't even know what Australia Day is actually about. Have no clue about what 26 January represents (we should ask them to "please explain"). Yet they proclaim themselves to be more 'ozzie' than anyone else and therefore are far more superior to anyone who doesn't share their bigotry.

They call themselves patriots because they believe in their country right or wrong. But in my book, it's those of us who actually question and want more from this country that are the true patriots. Because we think it can do better in many ways and want the best for ALL Australians.

I was actually watching a documentary on SBS the other night about the history of immigration in this country with a main focus on the White Australia Policy that was implemented for the majority of this country's history.

That policy was shameful and hypocritical but I always thought it was a relic of our past. Established at a different time when different views were prominent. With no relevance to today's Australia. To my Australia.

However, the actions of a few on this one day of the year goes to show that some of those overt prejudices still exist and some still feel the need to celebrate their own bigotries.

Pretty sad really. Because we are an immigration nation built on the efforts of those who've come here for its opportunities and a chance to make something of themselves. The Australia we live in now would not exist without all those contributions and no one race or ethnic group has a mortgage on that.

Our multiculturalism and history of immigration should be something to be proud of. Something to celebrate on this our national day.

I for one will be raising a glass to it today (to the fridge!). So Happy Australia Day to you all and I hope you enjoy all that it brings.

Especially if it involves a beach, a BBQ or beer.

EDM.