Should Australia Day Be changed?

"Abo" is as much a derogatory insult as "fatty" or " (*)(*)(*)(*)(*)" or "slut" This is because NONE of those terms are used in an appreciative or complimentary way and even when used in jest can HURT

 

I really do not think AM cares

 

Would you like ice cream with that waffle?

 

Yep, I nearly copped an upper cut thinking it was an abbreviation like saying Aussie! It could be turned around to be a term of endearment though, don't you think? Just on that, I've been told lately that saying "aborigine" is an unlikeable term but not sure if that is broadly across aboriginal communities.

 

Not an Australian but this is BS , do you know how many Europeans are native to the continent?
~10% , the rest of us came in waves to conquer and exterminate the previous owners , in many cases this didn't happen tens of thousands of years ago ... take for example Turks, Magyars, Bulgars , Lombards , Goths, Vandals , Huns and so on.

According to OP's logic only the Basques could (if they had a state) celebrate a national day in Europe .

 

Yep, and that was the logic behind the OP!

 

In America even the word "Negro" is no longer accepted or acceptable because of the way it has been misused. Words change meaning over time and once "aborigine" meant original inhabitant but it did get shorted to "Abo" which became a VERY derogatory term

 

If you want a European equivalent, it's a bit like the Orange Walk in Northern Ireland. A national day of celebration should be inclusive, not divisive.

 

That's just like saying shortening Australians to "Aussies" or Britain's to Brit's, is a VERY derogatory term. What a load of over sensitive nonsences to say shortening Aborigines to Abo's is a derogatory term. The next time I hear an Aboriginal or other ethnic people call Australians "Aussies" I'm going to say that is a derogatory term.

The word Nergo was never misused in American history, it was used to discribe a physcially appearence. I think you might be referring to the slang word "(*)(*)(*)(*)(*)(*)" which was misused.

 

You do realise that Aboriginals are (generally speaking) "Aussies", right?

 

Some may think it derogatory some take it almost as a compliment. I have lived and worked in western NSW towns that have populations that are 70%+ aboriginal so I have spent plenty of time with aboriginal people. Those who are comfortable with being aboriginal don't really care, it's only those with a chip on their shoulders who clutch at anything to start sooking about. The term was and is just an abreviation and a label, nothing more. No different to the collective label 'white'. When in company with aboriginals the use of the term 'black fellas' is more 'polite' if you will, but I usually don't differeniate, I use the same terms, 'boys', 'blokes', 'men', 'girls' and 'women' for everyone.

 

You tell them that, and see what they tell you in return.

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Go and tell Cathy Freeman and Goodes they are "Aussies" and wait for the response.

 

All this nonsense is what's called political correctness - gone mad. Soon you will have to address someone as Madam/Sir or it will be taken as an offence.

 

I'm actually having lunch with Adam Goodes and Cathy Freeman on the weekend, I'll bring it up in conversation.

 

Oh! I really do not believe they took it as a "compliment" - they may not have punched you out but then not every woman you call a slut will slap your face. The correct term is Murrie or Koori but "indigenous" is a far less insulting term than "aboriginal"

But we have had this conversation before and doubtless will again.

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Well if you addressed ME as Madam/Sir I would certainly take offence since I have enough female shaping to make the distinction obvious

 

A matter of opinion I guess.

http://www.theage.com.au/news/national/dont-call-me-indigenous-lowitja/2008/05/01/1209235051400.html

http://www.crikey.com.au/2012/08/15/indigenous-aboriginal-or-aborigine-its-not-black-and-white/

 

I will go with whatever seems to hurt people the least. Yes there are those who get "precious" about words but equally and far more frequently there are those who have had to carry a stigma associated with a derisive term for far far too long.

 

It's the attitudes that need to change, not the words. If the attitudes don't change, the new word will simply become another derisive term.

 

Nice to see another person at the end of the intellectual road. These terms and words are just political correctness gone mad. Terms and words created by politicians to hide from what they really want to say, and what they really mean.

At one time, the majority of the terms and words that are now considered offensive, originally had their foundations in shortened abbreviations of a longer word like "Abo" or in jest and endearment. "White fella" and "Abo" are just two words that represent how changing their meaning by political correctness is driving our language into madness.

In all seriousness, is it getting to the stage that we will not be able to say the words Black or White without offending someone? That is just bloody ridiculous. It's all because do-gooders are running around with a bug up their arse, because they cannot face or comprehend reality.

 

Every day is Australia Day.

 

And dismissal of "political correctness" is an excuse to continue to behave in a boorish manner.

Only Bogans delight in being so crude

 

Political correctness: blowing pretend smoke up each other bum so you can feel good. Abo was a shortened abbreviation to saying Aborigine or Aboriginal, and now through the stupidity of political correctness its been deemed offensive.

 

I like to think of myself as a traditional and fairly patriotic Anglo - Celtic Aussie - family been here since we were British to our bootstraps.
I can see why we should change Australia Day in this our supposed multi-cultural society. I would not mind at all. 👑

 

I just wonder how many other countries are willing to change their National Day to another day, just because there is a bunch of Australians living there? Maybe we could take a survey and find out?

 

I'm thinking that the Aborigines need to assimilate and take advantage of the today's culture and appreciate it. Instead of wishing they lived in a primitive state.