Marcia Ward - From Ordinary to Extraordinary

No I haven’t returned to Japan - just finally getting around to sorting my photos into a Photobook! This is Matsumoto - the “Black Crow” castle, one of the few castles not destroyed by fire, war or the Meiji government desire to destroy all feudal fortifications. Also stunning is the work of Yayoi Kusama on display at the Matsumoto City Museum of Art (not permitted to take photos of most of her work though). A great town to stroll around - the shrine and shops at Nawate-Dori (frog street) or the old merchant area in the Nakamachi District.

A day trip from Matsumoto to Kamikochi! A little soggy and wet but the most just added a different dimension to the beauty! Of course there are alpine views that we missed hiding behind the clouds but didn’t matter - the entire area was gorgeous and these few photos barely capture it. The beginnings of autumn just starting to appear as the Larch trees change colour. Lovely camp ground - it’s an area worth exploring on multi-day hikes!

One of the worst things about debate these days is how we all become victims of our social media algorithms. Unless you specifically follow and engage with both sides of an issue you will only be fed a particular view. A friend shared this article on Facebook and I found it well balanced, highlighting both misinformation on both sides and legitimate concerns. These were not new to me and don’t worry me enough to vote No. But what this article shows is that there can be respectful discussion about the issue without resorting to jeers and name calling. https://geoffsharrockinmelbourne.net/2023/09/27/six-ways-to-re-enlighten-australias-voice-referendum-debates/

Michelle Obama once said that the US Presidency does not CHANGE who we are, it REVEALS who we are. Likewise, this referendum will be our mirror. It will reveal to the world, and to us who we are as a nation.

I voted yes ( postal vote already done) not just because to my core I believe it essential that the constitution not only count FNP in our population and make laws for them (the 1967 referendum amendments) but also listen to them when making those laws that will impact and have relevance to them.
And more significantly, that we as Australians own up and rectify the mistake made when drafting the constitution - that we failed to acknowledge there was a rich and diverse culture and people existing here when this country was founded.

Because doing so reveals that we have the courage to acknowledge the uncomfortable truth of our history. To not only count FNP in our population but invite them to the table to discuss matters that impact them shows we respect what FNP have to say, that their knowledge has value and worth, and that we don’t expect them to be silent and subservient when we make laws for them or about them.

Who the bloody hell are we Australia? I can’t believe we as a nation are that arrogant that we don’t want to listen to ideas on how things could be done better to improve outcomes for FNP. Are we that close minded? How can those that howled about being told what to do during lockdowns now tell FNP that we will continue to tell them what to do without input from them?
Many believe Australia should stand up to nations with poor human rights records but our ability to do so is diminished by our own poor record. The only post-colonial country to not recognise our pre-exisiting indigenous population. The country with the most incarcerated indigenous population in the world! A highly developed country yet with developing country outcomes amongst some FNP. It’s shameful to continue to ignore this when we have been asked by FNP to walk with them with “Voice, Treaty and Truth Telling” because they say this is what is needed. **Continued in comments

Currently Australia is the only liberal democracy with a colonial past that does not recognise its indigenous population in its founding documents. This is a glaring omission and fundamental flaw in a document that is the foundation of who we are as Australians, and who we want to be.

When the British arrived, the land was declared terra nullius - a legal concept that means the land belonged to no-one and as a result, when our Constitution was drafted, land was divided and power shared on the basis of this myth. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders were excluded in its drafting and were expressly discriminated against with provisions that prevented them from being counted in the census and which prevented the the new government from making laws specifically directed towards them. The Constitution then, and still now, does not make adequate provision for the original inhabitants and has thus failed to protect their inherent rights.

The concept of terra nullius was overturned in 1992 with the recognition of native title. We now have the opportunity to update our Constitution to recognise and accommodate the prior ownership of this continent by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders. A defeat will lead to a loss of international standing and influence and a perception that Australia has not forsaken its racist past. Not to mention the brutal rejection that it delivers to First Nations people that we will decline their invitation to “walk with us. .for a better future” as expressed in the Uluru Statement from the Heart.

The amendment is not asking for guaranteed representation in parliament plus their own parliament, as the Scots have in the UK.
They are not asking for a broad justiciary guarantee of indigenous rights as in Canada.
They are not asking for reserved seats in parliament as the Maori have in New Zealand, or territorial sovereignty as in the US.

The amendment simply provides a constitutionally guaranteed indigenous advisory body to ensure indigenous communities a non-binding say in laws and policies made about Indigenous affairs.

Its that simple…and that small and yet…that significant.

Here is me - white, middle class, well educated, well travelled, healthy woman whose parents lived until they were 94 and so, probably, will I. In health, education, housing and opportunity I have been incredibly fortunate and I am always grateful for that. I am not saying I don’t deserve it - I worked hard for what I have and I don’t feel guilty about it, I feel lucky.

Many of our First Nations people have not had this fortune. They have faced discrimination and injustice for generations. Traditions have been broken and lost.

If I vote YES, the creation of a Voice to parliament will barely register in my daily life. Nothing will be taken from me, I won’t be denied anything and my lifestyle will largely be unchanged.

This vote is NOT about me. I doubt it’s about YOU because most of the people reading my feed are like me.

This vote is about giving a voice to those that have been disadvantaged and marginalised. For our First Nations People I hope the Voice will lead to better outcomes in all those things that I take for granted because whatever we have done in the past has not worked and the gap is not closing fast enough.

So, please consider - If you Vote YES, what impact will that really have on your life? Likely not much. You can get caught up in this argument and that, or maybe you haven’t really thought about it at all, precisely because it’s irrelevant to you. But your vote could have a potentially HUGE IMPACT on those it’s designed for. Your vote is meaningful and significant for others.

One of the arguments to vote against the referendum is that it is divides us on the basis of race and goes against the idea that all Australians are equal.I disagree and here is why….

Firstly, our Constitution was written at a time when race and racism and white superiority existed and this has imbued Australia’s constitutional system. Racism has been a major feature in shaping our society , its structures, laws and institutions and this entrenched racism has subjected Indigenous Australians to systemic discrimination for generations.

As evidence of the prevailing attitudes in the Constitution let me share a mind-blowing quote by one of our founding fathers and constitutional drafters, Alfred Deakin;-

“Little more than 100 years ago Australia was a dark continent in every sense of the term. There was not a white man within its borders. In another century (he predicted) the probability is that Australia will be a white continent with not a black or even dark skinned amongst its inhabitants. The Aboriginal race has died out in the south and is dying fast in the north and west even where most gently treated. Other races are to be excluded if they are tinted to any degree.”

Australia is the ONLY Liberal Democracy with a colonial past that DOES NOT RECOGNISE First Nations People in its founding document. This referendum not only rectifies that glaring error but is also in alignment with the United Nations recommendations to Australia on ways to improve our Human Rights standing globally, namely those recommendations highlighted the need to improve the treatment of our Indigenous Australians. (Continued in comments)

Some people are voting No to the Constitutional amendment to recognise the First Peoples of Australia by establishing an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Voice to Parliament because they argue not enough detail has been provided about the nature of that Voice, how members of the Voice will be elected, what exactly its powers will be.

In my mind this is based on a misunderstanding of what we are being asked to do. The referendum is about constitutional change, and Constitutions are broad brush documents that create the foundations for living, evolving institutions. A Constitution does not provide detail as this detail may need to change over time as needs evolve and legislation is easier to amend than the Constitution.

Detail regarding the Voice needs to be worked out through consultations and negotiations, legislative meetings and finally the passing of legislation. It is pointless to go into this level of work now if the idea of the Voice to Parliament is not passed in the first place.

The amendment we are being asked to vote on is simply that there will be a Constitutional Body, called the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Voice that MAY make representations to Parliament and the Executive on matters relating to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.

It is simply a consultative, advisory body so that lows and policies that impact upon First Nations people can have input directly from those affected by them. It is up to the government to take that advice on board, or not. It is simply a method so that concerns and needs can be heard. There is nothing to fear by listening to those directly impacted by proposed changes.

I can’t wait to vote YES to Constitutional Change that finally gives recognition to Australia’s Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Nations people.

In my view, the fact that the Constitution has previously not recognised our First Nations people has been a fundamental flaw in its drafting and a reminder of the appalling way they were treated when this land was first colonised/invaded.

Our First Nations people were not even given the right to vote until 1962, or treated like other Australians and required to vote until 1984. They were not even counted in the population of Australia until 1971 (after Constitutional Amendment in 1967).

This, despite being the oldest, continuing living culture on this Earth - 65,000 years of culture and tradition ignored by those that have been here for barely 250 years.

This basic recognition alone, in my view, is enough to make my vote a YES vote.

Happy Father’s Day dad. Some good memories today of many good feasts and times spent with you in Australia, India, China and Paris. Always up for an adventure and a chat with the locals, regardless of the language!! Love you always, even when you are no longer with us. ❤️❤️

Ditched dancing today and finally got back on the bike. Dad passed away 2 days before I was meant to go on a 3 week cycling adventure in Korea and I have been finding it a little triggering to get back to it, and using Winter as a bit of an excuse. Now that I have done it, it’s fine. Who else creates their own obstacles and excuses? Pushing through can be quite cathartic. That said, getting my bike butt may take a few more rides!! Ouch!

Happy Birthday mum - would have been 96 today. Glad Dad could be there for you this year! I am sure you are enjoying the party up there as we remember you with love down here. ❤️❤️