Not Just Young

Groote Eylandt, circa 1933   (Public Domain)

Around this time of year, the mindset is often “out with the old, in with the new.”  And “new” is often interpreted to mean “young.”

Kudos to Australia for recently changing a key word of its national anthem.  The country had been pegged as “young and free,” but is now described as “one and free.”  This oneness includes indigenous peoples that were there long before the colonial settlements began. 

A lot more remains to be done before oneness is truly achieved.  Yet words do matter, especially those which seek to represent an entire nation.    

Resources

https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/world/australias-national-anthem-changed-to-acknowledge-aboriginal-people/ar-BB1cnYi2?ocid=uxbndlbing 

Copyright January 1, 2021 by Linda Van Slyke   All Rights Reserved