Jack is a quietly spoken man. He has a beautiful smile. And he openly shed some tears when we recently spoke. There was no vitriol, rather a humble, challenging request from this proud Kamilaroi man. “Please embrace our invitation. Please walk with us towards reconciliation. We can do this.” And words I won’t forget; I … Continue reading Raise our voices
Racism
What if?
There is so much to celebrate about this wonderful country. There is so much to be thankful for. But on this divisive national day, I feel like we face a stark choice. We can throw a snag on the BBQ, slap on an Australian flag tattoo, grab a cold beer, play Oz hits of the … Continue reading What if?
Aboriginal Sunday Prayer
My prayer on Aboriginal Sunday 2023, written on Wurundjeri country. “Lord I confess that it’s all too easy to take for granted my white privilege and the comforts and position it brings me. I confess my pride, apathy, blindness and greed. I confess those innate things within me that hinder justice, fairness and reconciliation. Break my … Continue reading Aboriginal Sunday Prayer
A beautiful invitation
As I was driving today, listening to the radio, a well-known non-Aboriginal commentator admitted he could name many great Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander football players. “But I have to say, I need to go back and learn a lot more about important, historic indigenous issues.” The commentator's honest reflection came on this weekend's AFL’s … Continue reading A beautiful invitation
God save us!
Palm Sunday, palm leaves. The chorus of “Hosanna” and the prayer "God save us”. God save us from the barbaric evil we see in Ukraine. And from the hatred we can foster and hide in our own hearts. Save us from seeing skin colour, rather than a person’s dignity. And from judging ethnicity through the … Continue reading God save us!
We’re all human at the end of the day!
I’m sure most of us have been on the “Bol bandwagon” this past week. And rightly so! Peter Bol’s success has enchanted the nation and will be a long-remembered highlight of the Tokyo Games for many of us. But behind three courageous 800m runs this past week is a beautiful, but challenging story. One that … Continue reading We’re all human at the end of the day!
Hear us and walk with us!
“In 1967 we were counted, in 2017 we seek to be heard. We leave base camp and start our trek across this vast country. We invite you to walk with us in a movement of the Australian people for a better future.” This is the final paragraph of the Uluru Statement of the Heart. Four … Continue reading Hear us and walk with us!
A song we can all sing!
We may prefer to skip the following list on our national day. It’s hard to read. It would be a lot easier to slap on a temporary Australian flag tattoo, throw a snag on the BBQ and shuffle the Best of Oz playlist. Personally, for a middle-aged white Australian, I find the following list sobering and … Continue reading A song we can all sing!
Yearning for hope!
Can I ask you to count to two ... yes - 1, 2! Why? Because one person is forcibly displaced from their home, somewhere around the globe, every two seconds as a result of conflict or persecution. Hard to fathom, but that's the real world in 2020, exacerbated by the COVID pandemic. Now the danger … Continue reading Yearning for hope!
It starts with me!
I’m white, male, middle-aged and privileged, in the midst of a broken, hurting, unjust world. This reality can all too easily lead me towards comfortable choices, unhelpful attitudes and patronising positions. And that's why I know I need to keep praying: "Lord, change me!" I'm sure like me you've been dismayed by another horrible example … Continue reading It starts with me!
apilgrimpens 