1. Be Feisty.
Ok. Australians aren’t that feisty in general, but some are. And they’re the ones I admire.
2. How to be Feisty in a Non-Feisty Country.
Australia Day, or Invasion Day, has come and gone. Last year I made an effort to celebrate it and while I learned a few things, it left me feeling rather flat (not feisty).I’m not a nationalistic person. I’m proud and fortunate to be Canadian, but July 1, Canada Day, is not an important day for me. I’ve enjoyed Paris parades for Bastille Day but much prefer November’s Beaujolais Nouveau (irresponsibly feisty). And when I was living in England, I celebrated any day with sunshine.
This time last year I was wondering if becoming Australian would give me a greater sense of belonging. Now, 12 months on, I’m pretty sure that it won’t (realistically feisty). I’m also convinced that a piece of paper which says I’m Australian and allows me to vote for the least incompetent political party won’t make me feel Australian either (cynically feisty).
But I would have a voice (‘ah ha moment’ feisty). And I would have a grounded feeling that I, too, can comment because I would no longer be just a foreigner, just an immigrant. Because right now — even though I do comment — I sense that I’m not really supposed to, because I’m not Australian. Maybe that won’t change either with a piece of paper, but there’s only one way to find out (defiantly feisty).
So I’ve made a decision.My daughters are Australian and almost Canadian. My husband is English and Australian. Even my trusted companion, my English Springer Spaniel, is technically Australian. So I will get out the papers that have been lounging on the bookshelf for a year and apply for my Australian citizenship.
Why?
So I have a voice. So I can support all the positive changes I see here. So I feel I have the right to speak out against the injustices and problems. So I can help give other migrants and refugees a voice.Because I believe in democracy — even if this country has compulsory voting (see? feisty again!).
Then, I’ll head out next January 26 for the Invasion Day march and remember the Aboriginal people who were killed after Europeans arrived in 1788.
After all, if this nation is ever going to start healing and close the rift of the colonial slaughter, saying sorry is just not good enough. Surely, we can find a new Australia Day that celebrates diversity and acknowledges the history of this continent and its first people?
At least it would be a start.
Oh, and Mr Harper? Since I’m allowed to vote in this year’s federal elections in Canada, watch out! (definitely feisty)