26/01/2026
As I sit and mourn with First Nations people on this anniversary of invasion by people of my birthplace, I am reflecting on what has been and what is. Scroll past if you choose to, or if you feel the discomfort of today, and want to keep reading, then thank you. šš»
I was born and raised in a country that has so much to answer for. I was also raised by an overtly racist father (I donāt know about my Mumās views - I never got to find out). I actually donāt know how I managed to escape becoming the same, but maybe it was that inherent and deep down genetic and spiritual link to my true Scottish heritage and also the warrior social worker heart. Who knows? Maybe it was all of the trauma that made me find a way out of it all. Whatever it was, I know I have witnessed racism within my family (and called them out), cringed at othersā expectations of Britishness when visiting other countries, and in my job working with First Nations people, seen and heard so much more. I feel shame.
Australia is not my birthplace. I did my social work degree here and was horrified that Aboriginal Studies was not a requirement of the course. I sought out Aboriginal Studies as I did when I was studying education. When I had children and they went to school, I was horrified that they were being taught about Captain Cook as a discoverer.
Again, Australia is not my birthplace and I can not be silent as I watch folks celebrating a day of genocide and r**e. I used to say āChange the Dateā, but I listen and reflect and continue to educate myself. I know I can do more and better. I listen and hear First Nations people talk about abolishing the date not just changing it, and about Treaty.
Do you know what land you stand on?
Do you know what your children are being taught about Australian history? When you visit different parts of Australia, do you know what land you are visiting?
Do you ever get a heavy feeling when you visit certain places? Do you find out what happened there?
Thank you for reading, and my hope is that I have touched even one person somehow. If you donāt like what Iāve written, and you feel uncomfortable, then I have touched you. I know as a white person, I hold privilege and I donāt stand in the shoes of First Nations people, but I speak in love, compassion, sorrow, and a deepest apology as an ally. ā¤ļøšš¤