JDRAKE — The first interaction I had with a uniquely Aussie experience happened before I had even landed in Sydney. After the pilot had given their pre-landing speech, I was met with the now familiar acknowledgment of country. Paying homage to the traditional custodians of the land that the Sydney airport now rests on and respect to “elders past, present and emerging.” Having just left Hawaii, this felt like a sham. It didn’t feel like an authentic move on the part of the airline or the pilot. I hadn’t been exposed to outspoken public gestures made by corporations that weren’t in some way brown or greenwashing. The acknowledgment of country, as I later learned that it was called, made me uncomfortable. In reflection, I feel as though I have been jaded in a media climate that has forced people seeking the truth into a skeptical headspace. In the moments after my initial shock and skepticism, I resumed my Spotify playlist and my travels continued quite seamlessly to my joyful surprise. If I had looked around that plane I am sure I would have been met with a variety of glances that captured the diversity of opinion on the issue of Aboriginal Peoples and Human Rights. Not unlike the U.S. and BLM, Australian citizens run the gambit in terms of their attitude toward this social conflict that is occurring over there. Some would have seen the acknowledgment of country as a weak attempt to cover up some of the harshest colonization tactics created by the British Empire, others disapprove of reconciliation actions for entirely different reasons. In talking with a mate that I met over there, his perspective was that Aboriginal peoples were lazy, or something along the lines of unwillingness to advance themselves and take advantage of the opportunities that Australia has to offer. This speaks only to the failings of the Australian primary school system in educating students about all of Australia’s history. This initial exposure to such a hot-button issue and the common thread of conversations I was yet to have during my stay broadened my horizons in a few ways. I began to understand that the acknowledgment and other acts of respect actually matter to the Rights movement as a whole. It also offered a moment of self-reflection, my skepticism was not unwarranted, but it hindered my ability to learn about a deeply rooted struggle with global ramifications in terms of energy sustainability and the true history of Australia.
