I got to thinking about Australia Day

[pct001wine]

and it's relevance to the original custodians of this great country.

My partner and I were shopping in the city at an organic produce market, got our goods, walked across a park on the way to our car and met a group of Aboriginal people.  

Got asked for money (which we willingly gave) and sat down, talked and shared some of our food with them.

As it happened, they were down from their traditional lands and were supporting a family member with lung cancer who was getting treatment unavailable to him in their lands.   Sure, there were empty goon bags and **bleep**s and rubbish around the place, and chances are they will be "moved on" by the new custodians of the country, and they don't have the same hygiene standards that we think are so important. Big deal.

We talked about Aus Day.  

They didn't give a fig about Invasion day/Australia Day.  All they wanted was some support, some recognition, some empathy. And this happens through sharing and talking and understanding.

I'm not posting this as a "ooh isnt he a good bloke" sort of thing, nor do I believe that a chance meeting with one group represents anything more than what it is, I just think we should take the opportunity to engage with others. ignorance = fear.

[freddie*rooster]

I have to wonder what the reception would have been had you denied them the money they asked for? I know what would have happened if you refused a request of our local indigenous folk.

[bright.ton42]

In my past welfare work I have engaged with many aboriginal people  some who are spongers out for what they can get,and carrying huge chips on their shoulders,    others who are grateful for the support they get,  in a financial and empathetic sense, and want to do their bit for the community.,  .   Just the same as the white people  , no different. There will always be those who think 'we' owe them, no mattter the colour of the skin.  The 'we' being those who are better off.   And then there are  those who appreciate any help they can get when they are down , and there is plenty of help and understanding  around in the community where I worked.   

[spotweldersfriend]

My friend had to chaffeur some indigenous Australians from central Australia for a day.They were performing at the opening ceremony of the Sydney Olympics.His wife was a lawyer for Actors Equity and they needed health checks etc as part of the arrangement.He said you couldn't meet a funnier,friendlier bunch of ladies.He was about to leave Sydney to escape the Olympics hype but was glad to have been called into service😊

[love*today]

this OP makes me laugh!!

i used to think that way once....until i moved up here and saw what its really like 😕

[pct001wine]

What's there to laugh about ? I'm glad I provided you with some comic relief.  Carry on !

[chuk_77]

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@freddie*rooster wrote:

I have to wonder what the reception would have been had you denied them the money they asked for? I know what would have happened if you refused a request of our local indigenous folk.

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maybe the same as i got once..."come back you skinny white rrrrs biartch" I ran off. All I said was no sorry.

[izabsmiling]

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@freddie*rooster wrote:

I have to wonder what the reception would have been had you denied them the money they asked for? I know what would have happened if you refused a request of our local indigenous folk.

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you know what each Individual indigenous person in your area would do and say ?

or do you group them all together and judge each Individual by the negative actions/words of 'some'?

I think that there is a name for that Freddie 

[izabsmiling]

pct, I do hope that I am wrong ...however I fear that the fears that some are trying to promote 

are going to create big broblems 'within' this Country ...Australian vs Australian 

What some fear from 'outside' they are themselves creating here