Blog Topic #2

The article I read about Australia Day portrayed a variety of events that take place in Australia in order to commemorate the day that the first European settlers arrived by ship. Such events included a speech given by the prime minister, 13,000 people gaining their citizenship, an annual cricket game against England and, of course, fireworks. I am sure more than the handful of events talked about take place on Australia Day. The American equivalent to Australia Day would have to be the 4th of July, Independence Day.

In the text book, beginning on page 638, it speaks of how the original settlers, or Aborigines, came to Australia most likely by watercraft approximately 60,000 years ago (which I would contest theologically). It was believed that the sea levels were lower which made it easier for the Aborigines to come to Australia, for their ships were not of the same quality as the later European settlers. According to my friend Chris, who is from Australia, the Aborigines were greeted and treated similarly to how the first European settlers did so to the Native Americans. Basically, they claimed the land for themselves and forced the natives to conform to their European way of life. So, Australia Day on one end is a moment for celebration, on the other it is a recognition of the abolishment of another culture do to globalization.

http://news.smh.com.au/breaking-news-national/australia-day-to-showcase-national-spirit-20110125-1a404.html

One of the first links brought up when I searched immigration was the one listed below which talks about the concerns of having an overwhelming amount of Afghan refugees being detained in Darwin, Christmas and other Australian cities in prisons awaiting citizenship or being sent away if they fail to pass their first or second interview. Because the population of refugees is approaching maximum capacity, many refugees are having to be rejected and sent back to their home country. It costs, on average, $150,000 a year to detain a single refugee with a total cost of over $1 billion for all refugees which is paid for by tax payer dollars. Other avenues are trying to be found to detain more refugees, but the fact remains that something must happen fast before this problem continues to grow to epic proportions.

On page 640 of our textbook, it speaks of how Australia's initial purpose was to serve as a desolate land to send European prisoners. Like many of the first colonies in South America, Australia was believed to be a suitable place to send prisoners because it was away from European mainlands and they would have little to no ability of escaping off of the island, much less returning home. It seemed ironic, at least to some degree, that Australia's beginning under European control was to imprison convicts and is now using its prisons to detain Afghan refugees. Neither are directly connected to immigration, but both methods have already been or will be integrated into Australia as newly added immigrants. One more so, by their own choice.

http://www.smh.com.au/national/no-vacancy-20110209-1an3m.html