12/10/2023
My thoughts on the referendum for friends and family
I have said nothing thus far on the referendum debate. Here is my word.
I will be voting YES.
This has been one of the hardest years of my life. Possibly the most racist. Those who are close to me know that my mental health has literally plummeted to an all time low, even preventing me from undertaking the critical work that I do for my people. I have been on extended leave now for over 6 weeks.
I have been a warrior for my people for over 25 years, never shying away from the good fight. And this year, I have seen and heard friends, family, colleagues, school teachers and parents of my kids’ friends, write and say the most racist and ignorant sh*te- openly and without fear.
This referendum has demonstrated on a global level how backwards our nation is. Internationally we have become a backwater red neck embarrassment. It has demonstrated how anti inclusion we are.
It has proven that many non Indigenous Australians will embrace a blakfulla only if they share their own views and want to maintain Indigenous disadvantage and continue the erasure of our history and culture.
It has proven how false many people I know have been.
The real division has come from the far right no voters. Make no mistake, theirs is a fear campaign, driven by greed, lies and irrational agendas.
I have strong feelings that in part, align with the progressive no agenda - but the racist and absolutely foul discourse and activity that has continued to grow has made it absolutely critical that our nation votes YES.
I will be voting YES. Because if we have a no vote this weekend, I will literally be afraid to leave my house and send my children on play dates. It will set us back 100 years. A no vote will give a mandate to the genuine racists.
Non Indigenous Friends, family, colleagues - vote YES. Or don’t be my friend. I’m done with pretenders. Your opinion on my people is not valid. Your right to choose for my people is not valid. This is now a human rights issue and there can be no leeway in that validity. You will lose nothing with a YES vote. My people, we will lose everything with a no vote.
To vote no is to divide.
To vote YES, is to see us and unite.
