Most Australians don't want the date changed.

Simon Longstaff, Executive Director of the Ethics Centre
writes that there are two rival accounts of Australian history
both of which have provided rich pickings for mainstream and
social media.

Both sides have been pitched against each other.

There's the "White Arm Band"of history that sees the First Fleet's
arrival as a positive. And then there's the "Black Arm Band" that
sees the arrival of the First Fleet as an invasion, as a
negative.

There's truth on both sides.

Much that is truly admirable can be traced back to
British antecedants. The rule of law, the methods of science,
the principle of respect for the intrinsic dignity of persons.
These are just a few examples that the author gives of a strong
heritage.

Of course he also talks about the dark stains in the nation's
history.

He writes that no resonable person can deny them.

So what are we to make of January 26th?

We're told that it all depends on what is to be done on this
day?

Is this day a time for reflection - a potent anniversary.
Or is it to be a day of celebration for all Australians?

Then why, the author asks - choose a date which represents loss
and suffering for so many of our citizens?

There's more at:

http://abc.net.au/religion/a-tale-of-two-truths-what-should-we-make-of-australia-day/10095032

Foxy,

This is a perennial question posed at this time of the year.

I'm sure many media outlets have their clip-bait articles prepared and ready to go.

The Christmas break is over and schools are about to start the year.

Australia Day outrage and cost of school uniforms is about all there generally is in the news cycle at this time of the year.

I am more concerned about the apparent lack of knowledge of Australian history by the general public.

I don't have a problem knowing that Australia day can mean many things to many different people.

Hi Foxy,

Some see the 26th January 1788 as 'Invasion Day' when 11 ships of unknown origin, carrying a tribe of about 1400 people landed at Sydney Cove and set up camp. The natives soon realised the uninvited new comers were not leaving.

Every year this nonsense is dragged up by the same white-ants, showing the world what a joke Australia is. No other people rubbish their own country like these malcontented halfwits do.

Even the appalling Anthony Albanese won't touch Australia Day, which shows how mad the people who harp on it, set off like alarm clocks once a year, are. Australia Day is the 26th of January. It has nothing to do with aborigines, whose descendants celebrate lots of days at the expense of the majority.

Why is an issue that apparently has different points
of view should not be discussed or only have one
acceptable side?

Why aren't rival accounts of history unacceptable. Why
the personal insults? If the discussion is unacceptable -
don't comment. Stay away.

But apparently it is important enough to insult.

This topic has been rich pickings for mainstream and
social media. Pitching sides against each other.

I grew up knowing little about the history of our Indigenous
People. I remember celebrating Australia Day in Sydney with
re-enactments taking place. I loved the costumes, the
boats and all the ceremonies.

It was much, much later that any protests took place and I
always assumed those protesting were trouble makers out
for attention.

I did not understand that the arrival of the First Fleet
was a disaster for the Indigenous people who fought, lost,
and the wounds remain.

I also did not know that the British had been specifically
instructed to respect the interests of the Aboriginal
people of New Holland. That the arrival of the First Fleet
was a disaster for the people already living here for generations.

In the link given earlier, history shows that it was the same
kind of disaster visited on the British - on arrival of the Romans, the
Anglo Saxons invaded by the Vikings and their Norman kin.
Lnad was taken, language was suppressed if not destroyed,
local religions trashed. Everything taken by conquest.
Which was a feature of history around the world.

Today, as already stated earlier we are driven by politics
and many are greatly influenced.

It's becoming difficult to see the bigger picture. But
we should at least try to be civil to each other.

Most Australians according to the surveys want to keep
Australia Day as is. What the future holds - who knows. But
it still is worth debating.