The recent incident of a Welcome to Country being booed at an Anzac Day dawn service has sparked a much-needed conversation about the complexities of Australia's history and the ongoing struggle for Indigenous rights. In this article, I'll delve into the poem 'Welcome' by Ziggy Ramo, which captures the essence of this controversial event and the underlying issues it exposes.
A Poetic Critique of Disrespect
Ramo's poem is a powerful critique of the disrespect shown to Indigenous elders and the ongoing denial of Indigenous history and sovereignty. The opening lines, 'I’d like to acknowledge / the lack of knowledge.', set the tone for a ceremony that is collapsing under the weight of unspoken truths. The speaker acknowledges the absence of knowledge, a stark reminder of the historical and cultural gaps that persist in Australian society.
The poem's central theme revolves around the idea of a Welcome to Country, a ritual that holds deep significance for Indigenous Australians. Ramo argues that this welcome is not merely a polite gesture but an assertion of continuing Indigenous sovereignty, memory, and custodianship. By booing Uncle Ray Minniecon, the elder performing the welcome, the crowd revealed a country that seeks the comfort of ceremony without embracing the responsibility of truth.
Unveiling the Mask of Disagreement
The line 'Finders keepers – / the land was stolen, / but there is no debt to collect.' is particularly striking. It highlights the paradoxical nature of the situation, where the land was taken through violence and dispossession, yet there is no acknowledgment of a debt or responsibility to repay. This 'debt' is not financial but a moral and historical one, a debt that the booing crowd seems unwilling to recognize.
Ramo's poem also addresses the rise of fascism and the normalization of anti-immigrant sentiment, as evidenced by the crowd's reaction. The phrase 'Fascism is on the rise / and the room starts clapping' is a chilling reminder of how easily hatred and discrimination can be normalized. The crowd's boos, in this context, become a symbol of a society that is comfortable with ignoring the past and embracing a distorted narrative.
The Ungrateful Aborigine
The poem concludes with the speaker identifying as 'the ungrateful Aborigine,' a label that carries a heavy historical weight. Ramo challenges the notion that Indigenous Australians are forever grateful and uncritical. Instead, they argue that the truth must be told, even if it is uncomfortable. The welcome is an invitation and a rejection simultaneously, a moment of both relief and discomfort as the mask of disagreement is finally slipped away.
A Call for Truth and Respect
In my opinion, Ramo's poem serves as a powerful call to action. It highlights the need for a deeper understanding of Australia's history and the ongoing struggles of Indigenous Australians. The booing incident is not an isolated event but a symptom of a broader issue—a society that remembers some wars but forgets others, honoring soldiers while struggling to honor the First Peoples who resisted invasion. It is a call for a more honest and respectful dialogue, one that acknowledges the past and works towards a future of true reconciliation.
As an expert commentator, I find this poem to be a crucial contribution to the ongoing discourse on Indigenous rights and Australian history. It prompts us to question our own biases and the narratives we uphold, encouraging a more nuanced and empathetic understanding of the past and present.
