The State of Things

Last night I went one of my daughters school concerts. On stage the kids did a great job reciting some classic Australian Banjo Patterson poetry, that classic Dorothea Mackellar ‘My Country’ they even sang a great rendition of ‘My Island home’ and ‘I am, you are, we are Australian’ (which had most parents welling up with tears). The kids where dressed in the ‘traditional’ Australian outfit of flannel shirt, denim jeans and boots. Some even donned the wide brim hat complete with dangling corks. When the time came for them to sing ‘Happy Little vegemite’ I realised how far removed I have become from the Australian mainstream. I sat proud of my kid, which is to be expected right?

It was other thoughts going through my cynical mind that disturbed me. I couldn’t help think or the irony presented in front of me. Here the kids where celebrating all things Aussie which is cool. I get that. What is ironic is that it’s fairly certain that every piece of clothing those school kids where wearing was made either in China, India or Bangladesh. The shirts, belts, jeans, everything. What happened to Australia? What happened to ‘Made in Australia’. Free trade agreements aside…Who are we and what do we represent? How are we viewed by the rest of the world? What do we stand for? What do we strive to achieve?

The paradox had me thinking of the absurdity, just like when I see that sticker on the back of Japanese made cars and 4WD’s, you know that outlined map of Australia with the words ‘Fuck Off, We’re Full’ written inside. Just one of many reasons why I refuse to stand or sing the national anthem. Call me un-Australian. Please do, as that’s exactly how I consider myself to be. Borders mean nothing. Borders are a human invention. The reality is that regardless of colour, faith or culture, we are all simply humans. We’re all born little defenceless shitting and pissing machines. We grow older, do some stuff, then we all die. We all suffer the same shitty fate. Therefore we are all brothers and sisters on the same team right? That is a hard pill of many of us ‘ozzies’ to swallow.

The motivation for the school concert was undoubtedly based on learning about Australian culture. What culture do we actually have to celebrate? Ok, we have footy and rugby, which we all must agree is the very life blood of this country. And apparently you’re odd if you don’t follow a team. I missed that memo. Oh and we have Four n’ Twenty pies, made from the finest off cut, low grade meat.

We sure have an interesting history, with both good and bad elements.

We remember the ANZACs. The coalition of Australian and New Zealand forces that attacked the sovereign country of Turkey. We attacked them on their soil! Turkey was not a threat to Australia or New Zealand, but we attacked at Gallipoli because the English told us to. I don’t think anyone can argue with that. But I’m sure it’s considered Un-Australian to bring up this very topic. While it is very important to remember the lives that were lost in this battle, it’s also Important we understand what actually happened in our past, so we as humans don’t make the same mistake again. Oh what’s that? We’ve done it again?

Australia is an interesting place. It has spectacular natural wonders. Of which the kids talked about last night. They mentioned the Great Barrier Reef and how beautiful it was. And it is beautiful, I swam in it once and got chased by and angry grouper. The sad reality is that by the time these kids are my age, much of the reef will have disappeared due to the effect of global warming.

And to take it one step further, statistically speaking (based on current trends), it’s likely that many of these children will end up with health problems from diet and lifestyle choices.

So what can we do about this? Well the answer lies in our individual choices. Let’s consider a few issues at hand and the very reason these issues exist.

The only reason supermarkets sell 30,000 (predominately highly processed) food products is because people keep buying them

The only reason we still send troops to fight in foreign countries because we choose to elect politicians that make poor choices

The only reason race horses die on the race track is because people continue to support that industry by placing bets

The only reason an individual becomes obese, is because they choose to put certain foods in their body

The only reason impoverished workers die in third world clothing factories is because western customers buy cheap new fashion clothes that support that industry

The only reason we have a bleak outlook for climate change is because we continue to be a consumer driven culture that relies heavily on natural resources.

The only reason racism exists is because people let fear and ignorance override human sensitivity

The only reason we have global warming and an overall unhealthy environment because there are too many people in the world and we’ve grown to rely on industrial process that have negative effects on environmental health

The only reason your car runs out of petrol is because you forgot to fill the tank

For each of us we have the opportunity to make changes in our lives that can influence some positive change. Pointing this reality out is confronting and it challenges us as individuals because we may feel that someone is having a go at the choices we make. It can become overwhelming to consider all the things in this world that are fucked.

However we need to remind ourselves that right there in front of us, are some things we have the power to change.

And really there is no excuse not to make the change.

After you read this post don’t strip naked of your imported clothes, discard your device or laptop and go live in a hole. No that’s not the solution.

Change will come about by individuals being mindful. If more people thought about their consumer choices for example we might encourage some positive change from the companies that supply us.

For example, it is possible to support a local farmers market. It is possible to chose to buy fresh food instead of processed food. It is possible to ride to work, or car pool. It is possible to hold back from buying more clothes than you need. It is possible to sit down and share a meal with you’re family without the television on. It is possible to politely smile at a lady wearing a burka and break some social tension.

There are lot’s of things we can do to make this country, and this world a better place.

I’m no saint. I’ve done my hard times. I’ve made some poor choices in the past. I’m still flawed in many respects and I don’t have all the answers. And what I do isn’t the answer for everyones problems. But it what works for me.

I can see some things that I can help with. And so I take action. But if we as a people don’t take action, if we just sit and wait for something to happen, nothing will happen. No change will occur.

So if you want to see the world become less shit.

Be less shit.