How ridiculous to hold onto something BECAUSE 'its tradition's, even if, and especially, some people are disadvantaged, oppressed, or harmed by it.
Racism is traditional too, as is slavery, and women as property - should we hold onto it? Of course not, but people want to pick and choose the traditions that work for them, even if they do harm to others.
(like the black diggers who were ignored for years)
The numbers that went and died in the war were unknown, because they were largely unrecorded.
Or doubling down on an anthem or a flag that's only been around for a relatively short amount of time..people like to hold onto identities that make them feel important and that work for them, at the expense of others.
The flag thing irks me a bit. Firstly - I think Aus should be a republic. That aside - *it is just a flag. A picture. And the aboriginal flag? That is only about 50 years old. If a country has to have a flag, make a new one. A cool one - something with a dragon and lasers. :D
But, people need to feel "connected" to something and when it comes to images, they are simple ways to convey a lot of emotion and memory. They are a story. So I do get that people try to hold onto the story they know and like. But still...
And yes, woman can perpetuate them too, but I tend to think that's because there is no other option and they've been brainwashed BY the culture they're in.
And the men have been brainwashed too.
Yes! What about a bunyip?? If you're going to believe in a myth? Or a wombat, coz we were so fkn upset some tank picked one up. Or just get rid of the union jack and we can all happily sleep under the stars, surely?
Ah fuck - you have me here. I have been in Europe too long and their stupid mythical animals are stuck in my head. A bunyip would be awesome.
This has always been my first choice.