Yesterday, our social media feeds set alight with posts debating the date of Australia Day.
But one voice who rose above the rest was that of young Northern Territory leader Jacinta Nampijinpa Price. For her, the passion was misguided – needed instead in the form of action and aid in our country’s indigenous communities.
Jacinta’s Facebook post on Thursday has attracted a staggering 10,000 comments and over 30,600 shares, as Australians nationwide commended her for a much-needed reality check.
“I keep hearing that Aboriginal people want to change the date of Australia Day. Well what about the Aboriginal people who don’t want to change the date?” asked Jacinta in the post.
“Do we not count because our opinion differs? And why aren’t these people as concerned about the aboriginal people affected by domestic violence, alcohol and drug abuse? Why aren’t the marches for murdered Aboriginal women as big as the marches occurring today?”
The post went on to draw attention to the dire state of education and health services for remote communities. In the Northern Territory region Jacinta is from, the life expectancy is just 63 years old – the lowest in Australia, and 14 years younger than their white counterparts in the same area.
Jacinta vocalised frustration when it comes to securing real, positive action and encouraging some perspective in the Australia Day date debate.
Thousands marching in the heart of Indigenous Sydney – Redfern – chanting “Always was, always will be Aboriginal land!” @abcnewsSydney pic.twitter.com/55QiWnYHck
— Raveen Hunjan (@RaveenHunjan) January 26, 2017
Top Comments
This woman is indigenous herself......or does she speak and lead a group for some!?
It is always a bit alarming to me that there is not more emphasis on the domestic violence and sexual assault issues in remote communities, almost as if, to mention it makes you racist in some way. Why don't we hear more about this? What is being done? Is there something being done? I never hear anything about positive action.
I think the date thing is a non issue. There will always be someone who wants to be outraged and plenty of celebrities to support the outrage if they think it will benefit their image in some way. The outrage only further devides is.
Because the inner city will not cover it. The best place to read about domestic violence and sexual assault is on Bess Price facebook page. The inner city elites refused and banned her from giving lectures at universities.