October 14, 2023, is the date on which Australia collectively determined to deny Aboriginal Australia its rightful place in our nation's constitution, and rejected their request to formally contribute to the ongoing socio-political discourse that will shape their identities and opportunities for decades to come. It will be seen by many other nations around the world as a profoundly racist act, and it will greatly undermine the moral validity of any contributions we might have wished to make regarding issues of human rights around the world. Not only has nothing been gained, but much has been lost.
When there are helpline details for Indigenous Peoples linked into the live feed that details the referendum numbers, you know how much was at stake. I wonder how many people would have voted no if they had to look an Aboriginal person in the eye when they did so. Most people though, will simply resume their lives as though nothing has happened. The luxury of being in the majority will ensure they sleep well tonight.
And yet, I feel hope.
I feel hope because I know the courage, tenacity, dignity and resolve of Aboriginal People. They are peoples who've been beaten, robbed, dispossessed, raped, poisoned, murdered, imprisoned, and stolen. And yet, they are here. They continue to fight. And in time, I know they will prevail. Millions of Australians stood with them today. Millions listened, and millions are hurting tonight. The pain will linger; the question is what becomes of it.
Right now, the eyes of the nation turn to the leaders of the No Campaign. They have denied Aboriginal people a path forward. They have spoken time and time again of their ways being better ways. Now is their time to prove it. Now is the time to hold them to account with unwavering focus.
And now is the time to pursue the call for Treaty. Progressive, fair-minded Australians will not be cowered by fear and disinformation. They will not let the flame of pride, culture, country and language be diminished by the weak of heart and feeble of mind.
I can abide by the outcome of the vote today. I accept it. But I cannot respect it. I will never waver in the belief that today will forever remain a dark, dark day in our nation's story. But it isn't an ending, it's another beginning. The scope of the struggle has been exposed.
Today is No Day. Those who made it happen must never be allowed to forget it. And those who have been rejected must grief, reflect, cohere and defy it.
YES is a fight that never ends.