I would argue that Woolies and Cricket Australia have actually suffered some significant reputational damage as a result of their anti Australia Day policies. I think a lot of people don't like seeing corporations and sporting bodies taking political positions.
Totally agree with you about the culture war distraction though. To me this whole drama is not even about the date, it's about the nation. We could move the date but many activists will still be against the nation itself they'll just move on to the next battleground.
Perhaps that is true about the big businesses. It remains to be seen if that damage actually comes to pass, if people vote with their wallets as you say and withhold money from them.
As for your second point, maybe. Sounds a bit divisive, like Us or Them. Each individual would have their own reasons for their support or non-support of changing the date. I know what mine are and they have nothing to do with diminishing the nation and everything to do with reconciliation and recognising cultures that were here long before the nation-state existed.
If the activists you invoke are Australian citizens, aren't they part of what makes up the nation anyway, with a right to political expression?
It's not about Us or Them at all as I see all of us as being "of this land" regardless of our race or culture. The whole Jan 26 issue is divisive and I think that is kind of the point as your meme alludes.
Having lived through Mabo and Sorry and other campaigns where reconciliation has been attempted and concessions to activists have been made I know that changing the date isn't going to magically solve anything. It's just as likely to create more resentment from a different section of society and the activists will just move on to the next campaign to keep agitating. I don't see an end to it unless Australia is un-colonized. It is just not possible to "right the wrongs of history". Someone will always be aggrieved so my belief is that it's best to look forward rather than back.
I agree, we are all of this land.
I partially agree with looking forward rather than back with the addition that it's best to look forward while being informed by the past at the same time. The first step is always learning and there's always so much to learn. Like looking up Mabo just now I learned a great deal about the person Eddie Mabo that I didn't know before.
No it's not, you are right! But I think it would still be a good thing to do. What does need solving though? I'd like to hear your view.
The solution is in our National Conversation and our attitude...toward ourselves and each other.
We need to stop giving oxygen to those who are promoting divisive identity politics on both sides of the debate and focus on the things that bring us together. I really liked the "Celebrate what's great" campaign of a few years ago (promoted by Gilchrist - a cricketer) and there have been other glimpses of positivity (eg, the Lamb ads each year).
The problem is that there are very stong vested interests pushing the divisiveness and they are driving the National Conversation through their influence over Mainstream Media.
Remember these (12 years ago) :-
My personal favorite (7 years ago) :-
I don't remember any of these because I'd never seen them before but they're great. I'm thankful you shared them. Your favourite is mine as well. It's a nice message.
So the problem is too much media owned by too few voices. Or too few people having too much power? Monopolisation unchecked, would you say?
Yes, I would say that it's all of those things combining to fuel the division. I think the average Australian just wants to find a way to get along and move forward together.
Edit for clarity:
You're right.
Also, I see a few average Australians influenced by media to division; to divide.