The Flag Thing

http://www.theage.com.au/news/national/ban-big-day-out-not-flag/2007/01/22/1169330794734.html

Warning: The Following commentary does not contain satire, or any of the devices thereof, including, but not limited to, hyperbole, irony, mockery, selection of detail, juxtaposition, euphemism, litotes or any form of understatement. Anyone with a history of aversion to serious comment should consult their doctor before ingesting this article. In the event of offence or outrage, induce vomiting.

The Big Day Out organisers have made a perfectly reasonable policy decision to discourage the exhibition of Australian flags at the Sydney leg of the festival in an attempt to avoid ethnic violence. So obviously the Telegraph and every politician under the sun feels the need to jump in with their two-cents worth in an attempt to score some free points with the proletariat - what a disgraceful bunch of opportunists. What was the Premier's response to this announcement? Thoughtful contemplation of the complex issues surrounding our national identity? Musings on the multi-faceted significance of the flag as a symbol of nationhood? Perhaps an expression of sorrow and a sincere apology that his government has not done more to douse the flames of bigotry in this state? Of course not, his response was as boring as it was predictable. He expressed 'outrage', a thoughtless, meaningless, knee-jerk response to a serious issue, proving just how unimaginative and intellectually bankrupt Australian politics has become.

There have been plenty of occassions where I've decked myself in green and gold and cloaked myself proudly in a gigantic Australian flag, but the BDO doesn't seem like the time or place, especially since its not an Australia Day event this year. The fact of the matter is that the Australian flag is used to incite ethnic hatred and violence. The politicians clamouring to express their disgust at this decision will be the first to point the finger at anyone who isn't white when the violence starts - we already know that Peter Debnam, our alternative NSW Premier, wouldn't mind seeing a few Muslim youths 'rounded up' and summarily punished. We can't keep dismissing violent racist white people as 'hooligans' every time this sort of thing goes down - at some stage it comes time to ponder whether perhaps there are more racist whiteys than we'd like to admit. But hey, in the meantime lets just throw shit at anyone brave enough to fess up to the blinding reality and bring these issues to the fore.

Displays of the flag must be put in proper context. At a cricket match such exhibits declare, "we're Australian and we're going to beat you". In Cronulla they suggest "we're Australian and we're going to beat you up". Anyone who insists that the flag is a 'symbol of unity' should pull their heads from their arses - its got the Union Jack in the corner, a symbol of Anglo pride if ever there was one. Since when did we become so nationalistic? At what stage did we become so convinced of our superiority? We're supposed to come "from all the lands on Earth", yet it seems that no refugee can join the club without a lengthy hazing in prison first. Are we supposed to feel some surge of patriotism this week as we reflect on these things? Or do we just forget about all the negative shit for a while and pretend everything is alright? The last thing I'll be wearing on Friday is an Australian flag. 219 years since invasion doesn't seem like such a great thing to celebrate. I don't think David Hicks will be celebrating either.