Annotations

You would have thought

After all these years, a civilised country such as Australia
Would not act primitive,
And be able to control themselves unlike those dumb “Boongs”?

Two hundred and twenty nine years

Since the boots and coats and guns arrived, stained over years
By those hundreds of thousands who lost their blood:
Ripped up to form the bottom of that innocent Aboriginal Flag.
So much for naturally red earth.

Am I Aboriginal?
Yes!
I don't play the didgeridoo, I don't stand on one leg in the middle of the desert
I don't have dark skin
I am not the stereotyped ‘dumb alcoholic druggie who smokes a packet a day’.
So am I Aboriginal?
Yes!

Yes…
My ancestors were raped,
My people were massacred,
My culture was erased.
And you say that it wasn't invasion.
And you say:
"Aussie Aussie Aussie!
Oi Oi Oi!”
And you say:
You’re proud of your country!
2017
Poem by unknown artist
Visual conventions

Colour, the black and white pallet represents the “black and whiteness” of this issue

Text, the bold text tells the reader that it applies to all of Australia, the use of language, adding the
prefix un to the word settled, play on why Australia day is celebrated

Purpose: to represent the indigenous view and Protest against Australia day

Context