'You wouldn't steal a car': A safety message about celebrating 'Invasion Day'
Seen a bunch of Australians talking about #ChangeTheDate on social media and don't know what the hell they're referring to? Here's a 47-second explainer, just for you.
Following their previous biting take on Jan. 26, satirical YouTubers Juice Media have again tackled "Australia Day" or "Invasion Day," as it's sometimes called, with a riff on that old anti-piracy video.
Marking the first official day of European colonialism in Australia, the celebratory culture surrounding the day's anniversary is especially hurtful for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, as it marks the beginning of genocide and the long struggle for equality.
Now, equating the "piracy" of colonial forces and the stealing of land with the piracy that is the illegal downloading of movies may seem like a trivial pursuit, but just watch.
Juice Media's Giordano Nanni broke down the comparison further in an email to Mashable, saying "The comparison's ... been made before by many Aboriginal people. For example, Gunai man Robbie Thorpe or Kudjla/Gangalu artist Daniel Boyd, who painted this telling image. I think historically it's a fitting description, given that there were no treaties or consent given by Indigenous peoples."
Sure, changing the date of the anniversary is largely symbolic, says Nanni. But it's a start.
"We can either continue to celebrate our national identity on a day that literally excludes and offends the majority of Indigenous peoples of this country; or we can evolve as a society and recognise that a true national holiday is one that honours all Australians — especially the First Australians. We can start to make that change right now, by changing the date. It's not that hard FFS," he said.
Not only does the video break down an often over-complicated argument for recognition and solidarity with Indigenous Australians, but it's clever as hell.
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