Originally Posted by
Count of Monte Bisto
The simple fact is that we all have a history - hence the flags of Australia and New Zealand. ........ Wait and see the arguments you have about what flag to replace the current one with and how divisive they will become. Whatever you choose will open Pandora's Box and it will not end well.
Like I mentioned before the flags of nations which were former outposts of Britain, and had the Union Jack as the dominant symbol in their canton, were changed without provoking a civil war. nor did any of the nations involved have their history wiped from memory when the flag changed too.
Let's take Canada as the prime example, similar to Australia, a Commonwealth nation, sent over 100,000 soldiers to die in WW1 and 2, still a constitutional monarchy, mostly Anglo Saxon population until the 60s and 70s when non Caucasian migration increased. In 1965 their flag was changed. Now whilst there seems to have been a robust debate in parliament, sides both for and against change and many competing designs no riots or violence occurred nor did the Canadian nation disintegrate during the debate. Their original flag was a red ensign with the union jack in the corner, and a mess of a shield on the fly side, containing multiple UK and French symbols clumped together with a maple leaf. Honestly couldn't tell if it was the Flag of Canada or a yacht club flag.
Now the Canadians have a flag that is clean, striking and uniquely identifiable as Canadian. One of the best national flags in the world. There's a reason why every Canadian backpacker seems to have one sewn onto their backpack (apart from distinguishing themselves from Americans of course).
The flag is probably a concurrent issue with the other debates ongoing about Australian identity at the moment, the national day and ultimately the question of Republic or Monarchy (probably will be reignited after the death of the Queen). We've already had quite a "woke Politically Correct" change recently to a key part of Australian symbology, the national anthem. Changed from "for we are
young and free" to "for we are
one and free", acknowledging Australian Indigenous culture as the world's longest continuous culture.
Now here's one with an aviation theme that's slipped under the radar in the last few days but will no doubt get some riled up here:
Social media profiles for major airlines like Qantas and Virgin Australia have remained silent this Australia Day.
Just a few years ago those companies were handing out Tim Tams, Lamingtons and Meat Pies on the day, now not even a peep. I've detected a fairly rapid shift in thinking in just the last year or two regarding the 26th, even a lot of those who aren't particularly "woke" are just not feeling the Aussie spirit on the 26th as they used to.
Not just airlines, 99 out of the top 100 ASX listed companies
did not mention "Australia Day" on January 26th this year. Given that little tidbit the years left for January 26th remaining as Australia's national day are probably finite.