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The Australian Government won’t even let you raise your flag in Parliament House. Indigenous rights are frequently ignored in this country. Aboriginal people are considered a “minority”, but the reality is that this huge land belongs to Aboriginal people, and it always has.
Aboriginal Australians are not a minority. Anyone living in this country should realise they are here because of the beauty of Aboriginal people’s hearts and their intrinsic knowledge of this land.
Racist politicians have for centuries targeted Aboriginal people, taking away your culture & language. They've spread untrue words, framing your people as illiterate, as alcoholics or criminals. They've imposed curfews & persecuted you, incarcerating you in unprecedented numbers.
They enforce racist policies such as cashless welfare cards & they trivialise your calls to change the date of Australia Day, insisting today should be a day of celebration for all. I see how Aboriginal people are ignored in Aus. It's similar to how the govt of Iran treats Kurds.
I am a Kurdish refugee who fled from danger in Iran. I have Kurdish culture, a Kurdish language and a Kurdish flag. But these things have been taken away from me.
I am not allowed to study the Kurdish language in school. I am not allowed to raise the Kurdish flag in my house, I am not allowed to dance because they look at us as second or third-class citizens.
Like you, we are an Indigenous people who have resisted systemic racism and genocide in lands that are traditionally ours.
Many refugees have a similar story. We fled our lands and came here for help, then were met with racist politicians, discriminatory policies and torture.
Many refugees have a similar story. We fled our lands and came here for help, then were met with racist politicians, discriminatory policies and torture.
Yet Aboriginal people have welcomed me with open arms to their country. Indigenous Australians, like Lidia, have helped give me the strength to resist the torture, oppression and systemic racism of the government’s cruel policies.
I have resisted this treatment from the Australian Government for 8 years – you have resisted it for over 230 years. I am in awe of your strength, courage and resilience.
