Beyond Australia Day – A Stand for Equity and Recognition
Hello, I'm Eddie Solien, and today I want to talk about a topic that weighs heavily on my heart – Australia Day. As a proud member of the LGBTIQA+ community who identifies as both Torres Strait Islander and Papua New Guinean, I carry a complex history that intertwines with the narrative of this nation. My life is also defined by my battle with severe heart conditions and chronic illnesses, which, in many ways, mirror the struggles for recognition and equity I face in other areas of my life.
Australia Day, for many, is a day of national pride and celebration. However, for me and many others, it's a day that evokes a profound sense of discomfort and pain. This day, often referred to as 'Invasion Day' or 'Survival Day' by First Nations communities, marks a history of colonisation, suffering, and the beginning of an ongoing struggle for rights and recognition. It's a day that commemorates a past that tore apart the lives of black fellaz – a past that saw their sovereignty ignored and rights trampled upon.
The notion of celebrating on a day that signifies such loss and ongoing trauma is inconceivable to me. It's not about rejecting Australia or its people; it's about acknowledging the truths of our history and the impact it continues to have on First Nations communities. Sovereignty was never ceded, and the fight for true equity and recognition remains a pivotal issue.
In my professional life, advocating for equity has been both a challenge and a passion. Navigating a career while fighting for what's right often places me in difficult situations, where I have to balance professional obligations with my commitment to social justice. It's about having those tough conversations, challenging deep-rooted norms, and continuously pushing against a tide of complacency and resistance.
Fighting for equity means advocating for a society where everyone, regardless of their background, identity, or health status, has an equal opportunity to succeed and be heard. It's about dismantling the structures that perpetuate inequality and creating spaces that are inclusive and respectful of all histories and experiences.
This year on Australia Day, while many will be celebrating, I will be working, choosing to swap this disgusting public holiday for another day of significance. It's a small, personal act of protest and reflection. A day where I choose to remember and honour the history and ongoing struggles this countries First Peoples.
So, as Australia Day rolls around, I ask you, "What will you be doing?" Will you be celebrating, reflecting, or perhaps re-evaluating what this day means to you? For me, Eddie Solien, it's a day to reaffirm my commitment to the fight for justice, recognition, and equity – not just on this day but every day.
