I’ve always been obsessed by politics. My blog has long been testament to that. But upon returning from my holiday in Kanaky, I changed the title of my blog and started being all “nice” as FishHead said. I learned something about life when I was in New Caledonia.
Before I went I had never been able to understand people who don’t inform themselves about politics. Politics can change your way of life and I think that is so important. I still believe that. But I was shown something more important.
I made friends with a lot of people over there who are what we call poor. They live in tiny houses. They have very little. They didn’t even have a proper mirror to get ready in front of, just a shard of reflective glass. Yet they were happy. Genuinely happy. Why? Because they had community.Lots of the people in that suburb hung out with each other for several hours of the day. They shared most belongings and they taught each other volleyball and guitar. As a result, they didn’t need to spend hours and hours in front of the box like we do. They never spoke about politics. True, politics causes some problems for them, but what’s the point in getting all het up about it?
What purpose does it serve to talk and think about that all the time? It makes no difference these days. I wrote thousands of words last election campaign against John Howard, and the only thing I succeeded in doing was changing Muggaz’ vote. I voted against Howard, but it changed nothing.
Another mate of mine, 50 years old, has lived in France, Kanaky and now Australia. When we went out to dinner in Kanaky, he told me that he too was Left when he was young. But he saw the way politicians say one thing and then do nothing. It all comes to the same result. Left, Right, they do nothing to change life. And it has been several years since he was inspired enough to actually put a vote on any politician’s ballot paper. Politicians are nothing but opportunists he was saying. I don’t totally agree with him, but this did resonate with me. The politicians of both Australia’s major parties are like he says. Even though Labor talks big about Aboriginal rights, they didn’t do half the things they said they would. I think the Greens and the Democrats would be different, so I vote for them. But all I can do is wait for the rest of the country to join me. And I may well be waiting a long time.
I am very concerned about what Our Government is doing, especially regarding Aboriginal affairs, but there’s not a lot I can do. Also the problem is very complex in Australia. In Kanaky, they have the fortune that their tribal cultures are still very strong, whereas in Australia they’ve been ripped apart. I do plan to spend time working in Aboriginal communities to facilitate them regaining their culture. But apart from that, all I can really do is get on with my life. It’s my life and I no longer want to spend it stressed out. I want to take advantage of life, to have fun, to meet people. That’s why my blog changed tack a bit, and moved away from combative politics. I want to help restore the social fabric of Australia. I want to help restore positivity to Australia. I want us to regain the same enjoyment of life, the same sense of community that is present in Kanaky. That’s also why I’m not blogging as often by the way. I’m out living.
GONE LIVING
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