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Credit: Illustration: Andrew Dyson
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WOKENESS
Just another battle between opposing political factions
Clive Hamilton – “Wake up, Left, reject wokeness” (Comment, 7/7) – ignores the history of politics. There have always been bitter battles between competing factions on the left (and centre and right). Marx derided utopian socialists and anarchists, Lenin’s Bolsheviks deplored and denigrated his Menshevik opponents, Social Democrats and Communists literally fought one another in the streets of Weimar Germany, and, tragically, Stalin exterminated those whom he perceived as his ideological enemies in the Communist Party. The list could be extended.
That some on the left now seek to discredit those whom they oppose is hardly news. Indeed, Hamilton is doing the same thing: seeking to expose and demonise those with whom he disagrees. However, what is new about the conflict he is embroiling himself in is that his “ideo-foe” is wokeness, a phenomenon which he is apparently unwilling or unable to define. Reading his article, it is hard to escape the impression that woke merely refers to anyone who is passionate about their beliefs, involved in political struggles, and committed to opinions which conflict with Hamilton’s.
Philip Cassell, Malvern East
We need to respect other’s rational points of view
Thank you, Clive Hamilton, for your sensible deconstruction of woke thinking. When did rational argument become out of fashion for the left? We are in an age of new puritanism when woke overtakes common sense. The Greens used to be about the environment, now they are fighting among themselves over issues that should not be their main agenda. Respect for other rational points of view is a sign of a mature society. Social issues are not black and white.
Megan Peniston-Bird, Kew
Anti-woke supporters are living in the past
Perhaps anti-woke crusaders, who constantly berate the woke-crusaders for their wokeness, can themselves have a name: the Rip Van Winkle crusaders, in honour of the man who slept for 20 years.
Barry Thompson, Torquay
A handy term for right-wing to throw around
Donald Trump jnr, in the lead-up to his now postponed Australian speaking tour, blamed “the disease of woke identity politics” for “the decay of Western society”. The term “woke” began as a description of someone alert to racial prejudice, discrimination and social inequalities. It now appears to be the go-to term for many conservatives when they wish to denigrate those who advance policies of social equality, such as the Yes campaign – as if compassion and decency were qualities to be ridiculed.
Advance Australia, in defence of offensive cartoons run by the No campaign, used another right-wing favourite word, denigrating “elites” from capital cities – this from a group who has strong ties with influential, wealthy people in the Liberal Party. Can we please be saved from such Trumpian manipulation of language?
Bruce McClure, Middle Park
Has left forgotten what it should be focusing on?
From the bottom of my – so far – unreconstructed heart: thank you Clive Hamilton. The left must to get back to focusing on the class struggle.
Patrice McCarthy, Bendigo
THE FORUM
Aim for a fairer society
Commissioner Catherine Holmes SC’s report on the robot-debt royal commission lays bare a shameful chapter in our country’s history where unchecked and illegal behaviour culminated in catastrophic outcomes for some of our most vulnerable citizens. The establishment of the National Anti-Corruption Commission provides a necessary structure to further examine the actions of those responsible for this policy implementation and ensure they are held accountable. Hopefully this report will give pause for us all to consider the type of country we want to live in and to reflect on the notion of a fair and equitable society.
Anne Lyon, Camberwell
Impact on real people
I was gobsmacked by yesterday’s press conference on robo-debt. Not because the scheme was characterised by “venality, incompetence and cowardice”, nor that Scott Morrison allowed cabinet to be misled and consequently breached our trust. This, in my mind, characterises the entire decade of the former Coalition government.
No, I was pleasantly flabbergasted by Anthony Albanese’s words about the return of “frank and fearless advice”, “consultation with front-line staff”, “trust and compassion” and, importantly, recognition that schemes like robo-debt involve and impact on humans. Perhaps we can now look forward, with optimism, that we will no longer be at the mercy of “robocop”.
Instead, there will be real people acting with compassion, courage and integrity in determining the appropriateness of any schemes, rather than Stuart Robert’s cowardly defence that cabinet solidarity overrode other considerations.
Robyn Edwards, Chelsea
Calm, rational chats
People who don’t support the Voice say they are sick of being abused or called racist. I don’t doubt that this happens, and it is unfortunate as well as counterproductive. It is possible to have a sensible discussion without resorting to name calling. When I discussed the issue with members of my exercise group, the one who was a Voice sceptic said he enjoyed having had a discussion where nobody yelled at him.
Opponents have whipped up public opinion by playing on people’s fears. Many people would like to support the Voice, but have genuine concerns about putting the genie back into the bottle. Supporters can help clarify the issue by staying calm, and addressing people’s concerns calmly and rationally.
Guy Aron, Burwood
Statements of goodwill
Your correspondent – “Flexible arrangement” (Letters, 7/7) – has explained some points in the Constitution very clearly, with examples. In other words the constitution includes “mission statements” – statements of intent or goodwill, without the specific details, until the government of the day drafts them and parliament passes them into law.
For this referendum to be hijacked by partisan spin is a travesty. I implore Australians to understand the purpose of a constitution and to vote accordingly. To put into Australian parlance, these lines of the Constitution are really more about “the vibe”.
Kathy Lang, Vermont South
Owning our materials
Re “Shipping future is blowing in the wind” (The Age, 7/7). Here’s an idea: how about we use the raw materials we mine and grow in Australia to manufacture goods locally rather than ship the materials around the world and bring them back as finished product. I think that might have been tried before.
Darren McClelland, Moonee Ponds
Supporting new teachers
Re teacher training in universities (The Age, 7/7). History and philosophy of education is of little interest to teachers who are attempting to control a difficult class of students. I suggest bringing in experienced and successful teachers for sessional lectures on class management as an essential part of teacher preparation.
I say this as a former teacher and teacher trainer with many years of experience. I have seen too many teachers destroyed by unruly students and little mentoring by other staff. This type of intervention could be of some use in preventing the unfortunate resignation of knowledgeable but exhausted and defeated teachers.
Pamela Pilgrim, Highett
An unbecoming reaction
Regarding Home Affairs Minister Clare O’Neil’s childish language about Donald Trump jnr (The Age, 7/7). While I disagree with him on almost every issue, he has the right to express his views. To quote George Orwell, “If liberty means anything at all, it means the right to tell people what they do not want to hear”.
Peter Farrar, East Brighton
Italian, Melbourne style
I am bewildered by your article, Brian Johnston (Comment, 7/7), complaining about the food prices in Italia. A delicious pasta at a top Italian restaurant in Melbourne can set you back between $40 and $50, and a perfect pizza can cost between $30 and $40. I return to Italy to see family biennially and it is common for me to comment at how expensive Melbourne is, if you want to eat decent Italian.
Perhaps next time you go to Italia, you should not fall into the trap of eating from the tourist hotspots. Having said that, I can accept that if someone chooses to drink an Aperol spritz at a bar in Piazza San Marco in Venice it will be an inflated price – it is opposite the Bell Tower where Galileo introduced his telescope to the Senate of Venice and to the Doge after all.
Lucrezia Mecca, Brighton
What could have been
A missed opportunity. Imagine if you can, Pat Cummins recalling Jonny Bairstow and then going on to win. Handshakes and smiles all round. Win or lose, that action would have brought many lovers of the game back to the sport of cricket. Pity. Sport involves the idea of fun and of something being fair.
Andrew Furphy, Arcadia
What does it matter?
War is raging in Ukraine, people are still dying from COVID-19, and many are suffering economic stress. In a distant country a man throws a ball at three sticks. Two prime ministers are driven to comment on this, and for several days newspapers are filled with comments and letters. Why the kerfuffle? I’m stumped.
Elizabeth Meredith, Surrey Hills
Origin of the Aussies
The melee in the hallowed Long Room reminds one of the late Clive James’ comment: “The problem with Australians is not that so many are descended from convicts but that so many are descended from jailers.“
Kevin Brown, Moonlight Flat
Battle with bushfires
Preparing for another bushfire season is once again urgent. Apart from the loss of life, property and forests, fires pump massive amounts of carbon into the atmosphere. In Australia in 2020, the CO2 emissions due to the fires were roughly double those attributed to fossil fuels during a typical year. This is climate change voraciously fuelling the crisis in the face of our meagre efforts to control it. Most fires start from a lightning strike. It is critical that they be detected and brought under control quickly. AI can now detect fires within minutes. Can we improve our response time?
Jennie Stuart, Balwyn
True bridge building
James Paterson, the opposition’s acting foreign affairs spokesman, is concerned about the prime minister’s planned trip to China. He must be appalled that the US treasury secretary is in Beijing, trying to build real rapprochement.
Norman Huon, Port Melbourne
Look out, another one
I wonder how many road accidents this year have been caused by potholes. I have just returned from a seven-hour round trip on country roads and spent more time looking for potholes than oncoming traffic. The reason? Recently I replaced an almost new tyre after gouging a chunk out of it.
Ross Barker, Lakes Entrance
AND ANOTHER THING
Politics
The next time the Liberals tell us what great economic managers they are, we should remember robo-debt.
Erica Grebler, Caulfield North
What has it cost the perpetrators of robo-debt because some of the victims have paid with their lives.
Dirk van Florestein, Geelong West
And I suppose we’ll pay the legal costs of these rogues. Unbelievable, and wrong.
Noel North, Camberwell
I’m yet to see a persuasive argument for No from someone who understands the difference between the constitution and legislation.
Kristen Hurley, Seaholme
Why have we waited so long to mention the important policy issues of health, education, jobs and housing in the Voice debate?
Ivan Gaal, Fitzroy North
The No campaign’s most effective strategy: just let Linda Burney keep talking. They will win in a canter.
Brian Plummer, Wagga Wagga
Cricket
Have the English people, particularly the cricketers, forgotten that colonisation is over?
Patricia Parkinson, Main Ridge
What I enjoyed most is that it took an Australian cricketer of Pakistani descent to teach the MCC members a lesson in manners.
Prakash Nayagam, Mount Eliza
It’s time David Warner left the Australian cricket team.
Michelle Leeder, Trentham
Never mind the cricket. Jai Hindley winning a stage of the Tour de France stumps everything.
Barry Kranz, Mount Clear
Furthermore
People en masse are cottoning onto Threads (7/7).
Ian Macdonald, Traralgon
I’m all a Twitter, I don’t know what Meta is.
Jeffrey Kelson, Prahran
Worried about facial recognition? Do us all a favour and wear a mask.
John McSweeney, Brighton
Life is back to normal – and we had NS’ crosswords. It really was Thursday, not a pretend Friday.
Jennifer Teague, Wantirna South
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