The meaning of Lest we forget is 'it should not be forgotten'.

That sounds all fine and reasonable with Remembrance Day held recently, with many recognising those who have partaken in military service. Many people lost their lives and others have been permanently affected from war related trauma, the loss of loved ones, and through homelands still suffering from ongoing wars and conflict.

This link shows first nations and aboriginal people recognised on Anzac Day also.

http://www.sbs.com.au/nitv/article/remarkable-indigenous-diggers-take-the-lead-on-anzac-day-at-last/i4nvso9n3

When it comes to recognising other things though, let's say British colonisation and the impacts on those living here first in Australia, some conveniently want to take a different approach.

For example, Pauline Hanson delivered a callous swipe at Invasion Day protesters, telling the tens of thousands of people who stormed Australian cities in Australia to “get over it”.

http://www.news.com.au/national/breaking-news/get-over-it-pauline-hanson-takes-brutal-swipe-at-invasion-day-protesters/news-story/246d869f717ab2a7dc726a24997db021

This is despite the fact British colonisation led to the loss of lives, brutality, torture and appalling treatment of first nations and aboriginal people.

So why do some people hold these double standards? Why is it one or the other? Why can't Australians recognise both as appropriate, Remembrance Day and Australia/Invasion Day?

Dear Nathan,

Thank you for this discussion.

We were taught at school that the British Empire was
wonderful, giving India trains and cricket and
saving the savage Africans from the eternal fires of
damnation and all that. Most of us never viewed this
as being simply wrong. We simply accepted what we were
told.

As far as our Indigenous
people are concerned - we weren't really taught all
that much about them. They were considered feeble
savages who would die out. Therefore it shouldn't come
as a surprise that many people don't like facing
the truth today of our colonial past and that's part of the
problem.

Many people just don't want to be
re-educated about this country's long history of exploitation and
cruelty.

Many people have always thought of England as the best country
in the world. I know, I was one of them. Well it isn't.
Only much later in life did I learn that it was cruel and greedy
and unjust, just like the rest of the world.

However, hopefully as we do become better educated and learn
the full history of this country - hopefully things can
and will change. Our First Nations people will get the truth
telling that they so desperately are asking for,

We remember and show respect on Anzac Day and Remembrance Day for people who fought and died for Australia and Australians in wars to defend Australia. End of story.

There is no such thing as 'invasion day' except in the minds of a few idiots. There will never be such a stupid thing.

There is no "double standard". If a few twisted nutters want to make a fuss over a particular bee in their bonnets, they are entitled to make fools of themselves - and they certainly do that.

Comparing their nonsense with the solemnity of recognising people who saved Australia - so even idiots were free to act stupidly - is an insult.

The same applies to those other idiots who want the Australian War Memorial to include so-labelled 'frontier wars' within Australia.

The War Memorial is not a theme park catering to the latest fads.

However, the whole thing seems to have excited Nathan so much, that he forgot to finish his title.

There is no such thing as 'invasion day'
ttbn,
You must admit invasion does invoke the sympathy of those who don't work for a living much more effectively than saying violent objecting to settlers & by settlers caused atrocities galore on both sides !
As to what the solution could be, I'll leave that to those who believe the Australian Indigenous would be better off with colonists from Asia or Africa ! Whichever they chose, one thing is certain, things would be vastly different now !
Anyone who believes wishful thinking will change the Past should state so here how !
As to the term 'Lest we forget" well, it took me years to grasp the meaning of it whilst trying to grasp basic English and, I like the term ! I wished it'd resound more & constantly in the empty craniums of the radicals in society !

Dear Nathan,

First just a small concern about your use of language:

I find calling aboriginal people "first nations" to be insulting them since nationalism (like alcohol) is a Western disease - while aboriginal people lived freely on their land before the Westerners came, they were not infected by it!

Now to this topic of "remembrance":

I honestly believe that you do not remember world-war-I, that occurred before you were born.
I even more firmly believe that you do not remember the earlier days of British colonisation either.

Then why this talk about "remembrance"?
Who is it that could possibly "remember"?

- Well, here this same disease shows its ugly face again: it is the "nation" which is supposed to remember these things and it is these memories which are supposed to keep that virus alive. Let us support neither!

Let us support neither!
Yuyutsu,
I agree that those who don't respect the sacrifices of those who were manipulated to their deaths should also disrespect the benefits they enjoy due to those sacrifices & reject them also !