Ive just been doing something I very rarely do, and that is, to watch TV in the middle of the day. Im glad I did, though, cause I got the chance to catch up on last nights Q&A. They started off talking about the rights and wrongs of holding a referendum to recognise and include our Indigenous people in our Constitution. But, of course, the conversation touched on so many vital issues. A 1hr program really was not enough time to do justice to any of the topics raised. The thing that really struck me was the lost opportunity for bilingual education. Not just for Aboriginal children to retain their language and culture. But how wonderful would be for our whole society to learn from our indigenous people? I agree with Noel Pearson. Our children (and us grown-ups) should have the opportunity to learn Indigenous languages in our schools alongside English. To learn customs and traditions that would broaden our perspective and really give Australians a chance to become just one people. Im not saying that this should be done in any old slap dash way that would endanger or detract from the cultures that are already struggling to maintain their integrity in the face of being pigeon-holed to fit within our Western frame-work. Rather this is an opportunity for us to truly embrace and understand what our Western culture is so mindlessly ruining. To truly start a wholistic healing process. To become mindful, compassionate and even, possibly, a mature nation. And over and above all chances of us growing up as a society, learning Indigenous languages, allowing a broader cross section of mainstream society to develop an understanding of the various Indigenous cultures, might help us develop a national consciousness that values and honours our Earth. Our society might not only mature, we may even develop a Soul!
Posted on: Tue, 05 Aug 2014 05:35:17 +0000
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