Comments on: Quotables

By: Heatherlyisaverb

Heatherlyisaverb — Thu, 18 Dec 2008 22:21:19 +0000

If you go to someone’s house and they say “please dont pick up that vase, it was my grandmother’s and I really dont want to risk breaking it” would you pick it up simply because you could? would you think that that was stupid, to attach emotion to a physical object, and that you were being repressed by being asked to not pick it up? or would you politely respect the person’s tie to their heritage, even though you think its just a dumb vase, even though you know you wouldn’t drop it, even though you don’t personally attach memories to objects? Cultural heritage, rules and respect are like that, its a religious artifact, not simply a musical instrument.

By: Serafina

Serafina — Thu, 18 Dec 2008 21:33:33 +0000

I agree with Mr Green. You don’t bastardize a racial culture on TV for the sake of promoting a stupid (or any) film, especially not a film that turns Australia (the country) into an absurd farce. As if Nic could survive a day in the outback. Pshaw!

As for the taboo, times may slowly be changing as far as women being alllowed to play didge, but this shit ain’t helping the cause. Its always a good idea to ask permission.

By: A.D.

A.D. — Thu, 18 Dec 2008 18:42:42 +0000

No, I have to agree that you can truss up sexism in cultural robes, but it’s still sexism. As a former Muslim, I can attest that all KINDS of taboo-for-women laws are harmful in the long run, regardless of whether or not DIRECT harm is done to women by forbidding them something. “It doesn’t HURT you, does it? Then, why won’t you respect it?”. Because it’s bollocks, that’s why. I don’t have to respect anything that’s based on fantasy and superstition, and that goes for all religions.

By: Heatherlyisaverb

Heatherlyisaverb — Thu, 18 Dec 2008 16:30:31 +0000

Activists, elders and representatives from government departments like DOCS among other people are constantly adressing and fighting the child abuse, substance abuse, welfare dependency and the problem of education in the Aboriginal population. (There are a lot of educated people in the community though, at our university about 10% of students were Aboriginal, so they could clearly read.) So thats the socio-economic and health problems.

This is about cultural issues, whats wrong with talking about them?

By: Dmarie

Dmarie — Thu, 18 Dec 2008 10:03:34 +0000

I’m in Australia, just finished schooling.. we never got taught that in schools! Who cares anyway, she’s not Aboriginal, she’s not amongst a tribe when doing it, let her do what she likes. Political correctness much?

By: Meh

Meh — Thu, 18 Dec 2008 07:37:23 +0000

It’s only a few groups of Indigenous Australians who beleive this, and my isn’t it amazing how there is such focus and comment on a woman doing something disrespectful . NOBODY (whether black or white) speaks up about how Indigenous Australians have systematic child, alcohol and drug abuse and are welfare dependent and have poor outcomes (can’t read, write, get a good job..) . . . . It’s like ‘lets create a fuss about an insignificant issue and ignore the real issues about Indigenous Australia’…..

Trollydolly, you would be surprised at some of the Indigenous initation rites performed on men (look up subincision) . . usually at about age 11-13 . . look it up

By: Heatherlyisaverb

Heatherlyisaverb — Wed, 17 Dec 2008 16:40:07 +0000

@ Miss Mart, with all due respect (of which there is very little, seeing as you opened your argument by swearing) did you go to school? Because we are taught this at school. And if you think the Aboriginal culture is savage, which culture isn’t? European? @ Kirra, I agree totally.

By: Heatherlyisaverb

Heatherlyisaverb — Wed, 17 Dec 2008 15:25:34 +0000

Well it kind of comes down to the concept of not harming others – female circumcision is very harmful, obviously. But I have never known a single woman who suffered harm from NOT playing a didgeridoo. Same as it doesn’t harm men to take their hats off in church, or start singing loudly during grace before a meal in a Christian household!

By: JustMe

JustMe — Wed, 17 Dec 2008 14:23:24 +0000

yeah, my thoughts exactly. we were taught a bit about aboriginal culture & stuff back in the days. i thought every Australian would know that fact.

By: JustMe

JustMe — Wed, 17 Dec 2008 14:19:03 +0000

hahahah

By: Miss Mart

Miss Mart — Wed, 17 Dec 2008 13:11:45 +0000

Fuck off. I’m an Aussie, it never in my life occurred to me not to play a didgeridoo until that dickwad just told me I wasn’t allowed to because of some ancient, outdated, superstitious bullshit. Religious bullshit bigotry is still religious bullshit bigotry, even if you want to dress it up as noble savage culture. Snore.

By: trollydolly

trollydolly — Wed, 17 Dec 2008 10:16:47 +0000

@ Heatherly – well there are certain cultures that think a woman should have her clitoris cut out (along with her labia). I wonder should we respect that too ?