The shadow of death had fallen across the land and it would remain for some time to come. And then, only narrowly avoided was a third world war in the 20 th century, a nuclear war, 20 years or so after the second, avoided mainly because most of the world leaders and statesmen of that time— unlike the leaders of today — had experienced war at first hand and rightly fearing its consequences, they pulled back from the brink.
Those world leaders are no longer with us and today according to the Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists, Science and Security Board we are closer to a third world war than we ever have been. Two weeks ago, the Doomsday Clock that symbol, maintained since , representing the likelihood of a man-made global castastrophe was moved up to two minutes before midnight. So as we gather once again in the darkness of this Autumn morning, as is our custom, to keep faith with the fallen, and to remember the sacrifices of our ancestors, I wonder if only those people could look forward years and see us gathered here — and all across New Zealand, keeping vigil.
They would be even more comforted to know I am sure, if we people of the 21 st century — in these dangerous times of spiralling international tensions, did not forget the lessons of and the chain of events that spun out of control — and could not be stopped — that led on to a catastrophe then and could lead on to an even greater catastrophe now.
Your email address will not be published. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Uncategorized 0. Our mob fought in large numbers during the World Wars, despite the fact that they were legally barred from serving. Those who could hide their Aboriginality, claim descent from another culture or who had sympathetic medical or other staff approve their registration were able to sign up regardless. Some people who were rejected from the army in one place travelled elsewhere to try and sign up again.
At times during both wars, these restrictions were relaxed to fill the need for more soldiers. Restrictions on enrolment in the armed forces based on race were removed in Reasons to go to war for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people were complex and were vastly different from person to person.
During the World Wars, there were also discriminatory barriers that prevented our mob from enlisting. So why go to war? A strong motivator for many was the promise of fair treatment and equality whilst in the armed forces. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people faced racism, colonisation and discrimination on a daily basis in Australia. However, once in the armed forces, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people were often treated the same as their non-Indigenous counterparts, lived in the same conditions and were paid the same amount.
While racism still existed in the armed forces, many Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander soldiers have said they were treated better while in the military. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people were also offered higher pay and better employment and education opportunities in the armed forced than in Australia.
War also offered a sense of adventure and a chance to see the world. It is important to recognise that many Community-members were against war and actively resisted violence and conflict. He also led a protest against German treatment of Jewish people under the Nazi regime.
Not only that, many Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander service people were not respected as veterans and did not have their contributions recognised. One example of this happened after the Boer War, when Aboriginal men who had participated are believed to have been denied entry back home due to the immigration restrictions of the White Australia Policy. After the World Wars, Aboriginal veterans received little public recognition or support. They were denied access to schemes that provided returning soldiers with land and job opportunities.
For example, the Soldier Settlement Scheme aimed to give land and work to returning soldiers. This involved splitting up large rural estates into smaller farming blocks and leasing them to returned service-people.
However Aboriginal soldiers were denied access to this scheme. In some cases Aboriginal land was divided under this scheme and then was granted to non-Aboriginal soldiers.
Communities are still fighting to have this redressed. Like the politicians and the megaphones on Anzac Day, the footy commentators go a bit more over the top every year with their metaphors of on-field heroism and sacrifice, upon whom the point is totally missed.
It is a reminder of what we were like, for all our tribalism and differences before the first world war, and how a young federation stoically rebuilt in the shadow of tragedy to become what we are today. Anzac Day: duck as the glory talk flies. But spin it they do, year after year.
We have always had a cultural aversion to such uncomfortable truths. And in Australia Anzac has come to mean Gallipoli. Reuse this content.
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