Nice Sarb. Recall visiting AU from NZ as a teen in 1984. A rugby tour. Billeted with familes across NSW. A week or so in, having seen precisly zero Aboriginal people in Syd, asked our host in Nowra where the bloody hell are they? as it were. Drove us to a caravan park on the outskirts of Nowra. Not welcome in town was the explanation. Then a litany of reasons why this was "necessary". you can imagine.
As a kid pumped up by the affront that was apartheid South Africa I couldn't reconcile how this was tolerable in AU: widespread cultural acceptance and structural disinterest on the part of instutitions of state. We are often clumsy and complacent here in NZ but there is not that disinterest and ambivalence in our culture that could allow such a separation to occur btwn cultures, especially re tangata te whenua. Not to be taken for granted. Certainly to be celebrated.
Same old reasons, Brent - yes, I can imagine. I remember two big political awakenings in my younger years. One was the Miners Strike, starting in 1984. The other was related to what you said about apartheid. My new awareness was of the destabilising terrorist actions that the SADF committed to ensure regional supremacy, such as bombing key infrastructure in frontline states such as Botswana, Zambia and Tanzania. There were others, like when I had the opportunity to visit Northern Ireland. Posts for another time.
And appreciating your appreciation, Brent - it means a lot. Cheers.
Very much enjoyed The Sea track added to your story Sarb.
Skye has a beautiful voice - well worth listening to the studio album version too: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Big_Calm
Nice Sarb. Recall visiting AU from NZ as a teen in 1984. A rugby tour. Billeted with familes across NSW. A week or so in, having seen precisly zero Aboriginal people in Syd, asked our host in Nowra where the bloody hell are they? as it were. Drove us to a caravan park on the outskirts of Nowra. Not welcome in town was the explanation. Then a litany of reasons why this was "necessary". you can imagine.
As a kid pumped up by the affront that was apartheid South Africa I couldn't reconcile how this was tolerable in AU: widespread cultural acceptance and structural disinterest on the part of instutitions of state. We are often clumsy and complacent here in NZ but there is not that disinterest and ambivalence in our culture that could allow such a separation to occur btwn cultures, especially re tangata te whenua. Not to be taken for granted. Certainly to be celebrated.
Enjoying your stuff.
Best etc, Brent
Same old reasons, Brent - yes, I can imagine. I remember two big political awakenings in my younger years. One was the Miners Strike, starting in 1984. The other was related to what you said about apartheid. My new awareness was of the destabilising terrorist actions that the SADF committed to ensure regional supremacy, such as bombing key infrastructure in frontline states such as Botswana, Zambia and Tanzania. There were others, like when I had the opportunity to visit Northern Ireland. Posts for another time.
And appreciating your appreciation, Brent - it means a lot. Cheers.