I write this morning with a sense of
confusion.
My weekly observation of these Pandemic
times is usually approached with a mildly playful intent and the idea of being
at least a little amusing even if the only person amused is me.
At the very least, if raising a
so-called issue I seek to provide two sides to an argument or present some form
of solution, as fanciful as that solution may at times seem.
It is difficult if not insulting or
disrespectful to seek to amuse this morning.
In recent days British Prime Minister
Boris Johnson lavished praise on his own Governments handling of the pandemic. If
success is having only 597 out of every 1 million of his constituents die, he
is correct and a success. Afterall, of countries with populations in excess of
1 million, only Belgium with 828 has a higher fatality rate. (source https://www.worldometers.info/coronavirus/)
The Twitter President is being equally,
if not more effusive about his management of the pandemic. And while he is less
inclined these days to discuss matters Covid-19, his actions keep him shining
brightly in the spot light as he continues building a legacy that will amaze
and enthral the future students of American Contemporary History.
The BlackLivesMatter cause has been
advocated by millions of people across the United States, day in day out.
Some and only some public gatherings
have resulted in ugly clashes between advocates and others with alternate view
or enforcement personnel.
In reality, the majority of gatherings
have been calm, peaceful and passed without incident. Some have been quite
moving such as this event in Colorado a few days ago.
Sadly, media coverage highlights the
violent and the ugly and the message is lost or
confused.
There seems a need to take one side or
the opposite side with little room in between.
Both extremes see it in their interest to
highlight the ugly and distasteful. If a media outlet is inclined towards
supporting the BlackLivesMatter advocates, they want to draw attention to the
oppressive behaviour of the Police. If a Media outlet is seeking to support
those who are against the event taking place, they will see benefit in
highlighting the behaviour of those attending the gathering and shift blame to
them.
This event in Colorado received scant
coverage, as did other large peaceful gathering in Las Angles and other Cities.
There were large gatherings of Advocates
in Australia over the weekend too. All were peaceful. There was a conflict at a
Sydney railway station as the crowd dispersed.
We also wake this morning to hear of
mass gatherings in cities across Europe, peaceful gatherings.
My feelings about these gatherings are
confused.
In a time where we should be mindful
mass gatherings are conduits for spreading the Covid-19 virus, I question if
these events should be occurring.
In a time where 30% of Australian Prison
inmates are of an Indigenous background when only 3% of our population is
Indigenous, I question why such gatherings have not occurred more often in
larger numbers, pandemic or no pandemic.
I have spoken to people who attended events
in Brisbane and Sydney. I asked about the mood and if it felt like it might erupt
at any moment. In both cases they reported feeling safe and at no time felt
anyone was seeking combative confrontations.
I have deliberately used the words
“advocates”, “events” and “gatherings” rather than “protesters” and “protests”.
My reason for doing so is the significant number of attendees who do not
identify as protesters or people who attend protests. These are people who have
publicly joined a cause for the first time ever to demonstrate concern and try
to better understand an issue largely confined to a world very foreign to
theirs.
What I am not confused about is believing
the issue of Indigenous incarceration rates should exist only as a case study
now discuss as having been long resolved. We could have been, should be,
looking back a decade or so with a sense of collective national pride at having
identified, accepted and solved this matter.
Between 1987 and 1991, a Royal
Commission was conducted in to Aboriginal Deaths in Custody and concluded by
making 339 recommendations.
Other than some basic research, I have
not yet looked extensively at the recommendations; my comments are therefore
based on recent reading and media commentary.
My understanding is the vast majority of
the 339 recommendations remain unactioned.
Both sides of Australian mainstream politics are largely
united when discussing this issue. They extoll the need to “work harder to
resolve the issues” or “involve all parties in finding workable solutions” or
my favourite “we all agree we need to do more”.
I know the Royal Commission concluded
nearly 30 years ago, but I suggest the “hard work involving all parties” has
already been done and a good place to start is the 339 recommendations the
majority of which remain unactioned.
But hey, the Rugby League has nearly
completed its second post shutdown round, the AFL returns on Thursday, a draft
international cricket calendar has been announced, club hockey is scheduled to
start in July as is cycling and an argument rages between the Melbourne and
Victorian Racing Clubs as to when the Caulfield and Melbourne Cups should be
held.
One wonders just what our priorities
are.
Mind you, the Queen’s Birthday Honours list
has just been released. Congratulations to all recipients. It is a diverse
group of awardees, isn’t it?
Too conclude with some short comments:
I am not sure what I will read this
week.
Maybe we should all read, or re-read To
Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee.
The Post Reports Podcast from the Washington Post
provides a look in to the goings on in America. While it probably takes an anti
Trump lean, it is not necessarily pro Democrat.
For more general political analysis, I
again mention Democracy Sausage from the Australian National University
as informative an diverse twice weekly podcasting.
For sporting content, during the last
week I have enjoyed the interviews with Isa Guha, Chris Scott, Karrie Webb and
Daniel Ricciardo from The Howie Games Podcast. Not only is Isa Guha a former
test cricketer and a respected broadcaster she also has Neuro Science degree
and just happens to be married to a rock star.
Stay strong, seek first to understand
and lets all support and look after others while also looking ourselves.
Colin Morley
No comments:
Post a Comment