Why we should all support Cody Walker's quiet refusal to sing the Australian anthem | Jack Latimore

An appropriate response would be to improve understanding of why Advance Australia Fair remains offensive to First Nations peoplesThere are several things patently wrong with Australia’s national anthem. Firstly setting aside the mistaken presumption that it is compulsory to stand and sing it, the lyric “we are young and free” alone wilfully rejects, minimises and attempts to erase millennia of First Nations culture and deep connection to place. Arguably more troubling is that it also conveniently ignores the ongoing oppression of this continent’s first peoples.On Tuesday, rugby league player Cody Walker revealed that he will not sing Advance Australia Fair during the preliminary ceremonies of next week’s State of Origin game at Lang Park in Brisbane. We should all be supporting him, particularly in light of this week being National Reconciliation Week. For many First Nations peoples the anthem is offensive. The appropriate response for the broader nation is to improve its understanding of why and how that continues to be the case, not label Walker’s stand “divisive”. Related: Cody Walker insists he won't sing national anthem at State of Origin Reading all the white outrage this morning about Indigenous All Stars not singing australian national anthem, and thinking if only the white rage burned so hard over yet another year’s failure Closing the Gap.Jack Latimore is a Guardian Australia columnist Continue readingread full article

Source: TheGuardian

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