This is a bit of a different post for me but one I felt important to share. It is about music and politics. If you aren't interested in either I suggest you don't read any further!
I went and saw a gig last year at The Factory Theatre in Marrickville Sydney. I have always wanted to see
Dan Sultan live and he was doing a gig with the title "Rock for Recognition" supported by Leah Flanagan. Sounded good. So off I went with a couple of friends on a balmy summer evening. As I walked through the doors I got invited to a protest march about indigenous affairs and bustled upstairs to the stage. Firstly, I want to say that
Leah Flanagan was a beauty, all red lipped and sexy with a beautiful ukulele in her hands and Dan Sultan did not disappoint both musically and handsomely. But I was introduced to the fact that the indigenous peoples of Australia are not recognised in the Australian Constitution as being the original inhabitants/owners of the land. The artists had quite a few words to share from their own experiences being indigenous people and how they feel about not being recognised, things got a little heated. But Dan Sultan was so gorgeous when he came back on stage to do his encore. He said in regards to encores and going off stage and coming back on (chuckling), "you know some bullshit, is good bullshit". I think he meant it in regards to some things are just words on a page, but they are worth it. They mean something. They are necessary. They make you feel good.
And that is how I came to see that to include the indigenous peoples of Australia in our constitution is important. And there has to be a referendum. We all have to vote on it. And so I have been doing a bit or reading and talking and listening to music since then. To get more educated and to see what others feel and think.
A friend gave me this #recognise badge at christmas (top pic) and it is to raise awareness for the Recognition of our indigenous people.
I also saw
Archie Roach at the State Theatre as part of Sydney Festival, and I have to say it was a highlight of my January. What an amazingly talented and beautiful man.I couldn't stop thinking about the man and the music the whole next day. I am still saying, "remember what Archie said..."!. Into the bloodstream is his latest album. Get it. Listen to his words. He said at the gig, "you know we all have hassles and things going on, but sometimes you just have to dance!". What truth, from a man that has had a lot more "hassles" than most. Thankyou Archie.
If you like the idea of recognising aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples in our Constitution then check out www.recognise.org.au and find out more.
If you have thoughts to share on this I'd love to hear.
