"National Days" are opportunities for constructive dialogue rather than divisive posturing. To quote Martin Luther King, “We may have all come on different ships, but we're in the same boat now."
Thank you Steven, I too am a migrant from 1979 and still find Australia the only place I would like to live. Problems? -yes, but so does everywhere else. Australia, with all it's argumentative partisan issues is still a wonderful and (mostly) safe place to live.
Today I reflect on the shelter and type of life that Australia has given me. I have been able to live, love, argue and share with others of all races, beliefs and leanings and am the richer for it. Thank you.
Where does this peculiar idea of self-hatred (or self loathing) re not accepting and in particular criticizing the dominant Western narratives either here in Australia (in particular) or of the West altogether. come from?
Have you ever noticed that this term is only ever used those on the right-side of the culture wars divide.
This idea is actually far from 'peculiar' - it is accepted as real and is very wide spread.
Perhaps I'm wrong but from your question I am supposing that: 1) you disagree that it is actually a 'thing', and 2) even if it is that you disagree with it's assertions completely.
On the other point (culture wars), logic itself says that such a term used by the right as a criticism against the left (which is how it is used) would hardly be recognised or used by the left as doing so would amount to admitting that the accusation is actually true.
As to 'where' such a term comes from, it comes from right wing writers, thinkers, intellectuals and philosophers who see their world view changing away from that which was comfortable to them, as much as the notions of political and social inequality, victimhood and the helplessness of the downtrodden were born of the left wing writers, thinkers, intellectuals and philosophers who saw oppression and power imbalances everywhere.
The difference in expression and reach between the two today is that the left, having now had over 50+ years of slow advancement, have gained position, power and influence of the last few generations via the western university system, thus influencing pre-school, primary, secondary and tertiary teachers to change the views of their charges from their first few years. This leads to a changing of 'normality' of thought around all social, political, environmental and economic areas. It's just the current version of the historic swing of the pendulum.
Marvellous piece Steven. Made my day! Bravo.
Thank you Steven, I too am a migrant from 1979 and still find Australia the only place I would like to live. Problems? -yes, but so does everywhere else. Australia, with all it's argumentative partisan issues is still a wonderful and (mostly) safe place to live.
Today I reflect on the shelter and type of life that Australia has given me. I have been able to live, love, argue and share with others of all races, beliefs and leanings and am the richer for it. Thank you.
Where does this peculiar idea of self-hatred (or self loathing) re not accepting and in particular criticizing the dominant Western narratives either here in Australia (in particular) or of the West altogether. come from?
Have you ever noticed that this term is only ever used those on the right-side of the culture wars divide.
This idea is actually far from 'peculiar' - it is accepted as real and is very wide spread.
Perhaps I'm wrong but from your question I am supposing that: 1) you disagree that it is actually a 'thing', and 2) even if it is that you disagree with it's assertions completely.
On the other point (culture wars), logic itself says that such a term used by the right as a criticism against the left (which is how it is used) would hardly be recognised or used by the left as doing so would amount to admitting that the accusation is actually true.
As to 'where' such a term comes from, it comes from right wing writers, thinkers, intellectuals and philosophers who see their world view changing away from that which was comfortable to them, as much as the notions of political and social inequality, victimhood and the helplessness of the downtrodden were born of the left wing writers, thinkers, intellectuals and philosophers who saw oppression and power imbalances everywhere.
The difference in expression and reach between the two today is that the left, having now had over 50+ years of slow advancement, have gained position, power and influence of the last few generations via the western university system, thus influencing pre-school, primary, secondary and tertiary teachers to change the views of their charges from their first few years. This leads to a changing of 'normality' of thought around all social, political, environmental and economic areas. It's just the current version of the historic swing of the pendulum.