Academic and Indigenous commentator Anthony Dillon says Aussies should be proud to celebrate their national day and not be swept up in the cancel culture movement.
Australia Day is generally celebrated on Jan. 26 each year, but in recent times, has become more contentious due to its connection with European colonialism.
However, amid community backlash, management at Australian Venue Co. quickly retracted its decision, but some patrons have been left with a sour taste in the mouth and will be giving their pubs the snub.
Dillon, a researcher at the Australian Catholic University, told The Epoch Times he was, at first, taken aback by how quickly the events unfolded, and how fast the hotel chain reversed its decision.
“When I first heard [Australia Day] had been banned, I just thought it was ’more woke-ism,'” Dillon said, adding that it was “not helpful for Aboriginal people.”
Dillon gave credit to Australian Venue Co. for apologising so quickly, and noted that the “culture wars” have been alive and well in Australia for at least two to three decades.
The academic reminded Australians they did not need to accept woke rhetoric.
One of the most recent examples, Dillon says, was supermarket giant Woolworths declining to stock Australia Day items earlier this year.
“We don’t have to tolerate nonsense,” he said, adding that Australia Day is, and should always be, about celebrating what’s great about the nation.
“It’s not disrespecting Aboriginal people in any way,” Dillon said. “If you’re not Indigenous Australian, don’t let anyone tell you it’s offensive.
“That’s their opinion, not fact.”
Dillon said the “no” vote prevailing in last year’s failed Voice referendum, as well as Donald Trump’s victory at the U.S. presidential election should cause a shift in the political mood and allow people the chance to think and act freely.
Australia Day commemorates the arrival of the First Fleet from Great Britain in 1788, which marked the beginning of European colonisation of the continent.
While some argue the day is an important national celebration of Australia’s values, there have been calls from some corners—particularly amid the global cancel culture push—to change the date as it could be deemed offensive to Indigenous people—protest groups may sometimes call it “Invasion Day.”
