The Flag (2)

Mark

“One of the great attractions of patriotism — it fulfils our worst wishes. In the person of our nation we are able, vicariously, to bully and cheat. Bully and cheat, what’s more, with a feeling that we are profoundly virtuous.” — Aldous Huxley

THE Big Day Out (BDO) controversy over the Australian flag has hit a nerve in Australian society. It is disturbing to read reports of young Australians harassing other patrons at last year’s BDO to kiss the flag and swear allegiance. In every era young bullies have always expressed their bravery behind a group front. Bodgies, skinheads, punks and, now, Cronulla surfies reflect the same antisocial behaviour in their own times and ways.

Around Australia there are many instances of people displaying the Australian flag proudly on their houses, caravans, campers, motor vehicles, t-shirts and beach towels. This behaviour has been the subject of numerous personal discussions as to the motivators. I will reflect in generalities as I can only guess as to the myriad of reasons people have in wearing their colours.

Generally, there are several categories of people:
1. The big two-storey house owners complete with flagpoles. This could simply be a reflection of “Australia, the Lucky Country.”
2. The grey nomads who raise their flags when settling into their caravan sites. I suspect more than one would be strident supporters of One Nation and its policies.
3. The middle aged with their campervans and 4WDs sporting full-sized Australian flags in their windows. This behaviour seems to reflect a more aggressive approach to nationalism.
4. The teens and twenty-somethings at the cricket and the beach who have all manner of clothing, towels, hats, zinc cream and even Southern Cross or flag tattoos. Motivators seem to range from the naïve to the herd mentality (fashion) to club colours. It is the latter that seems to be at the forefront of the BDO organisers’ minds and it may well be that the organizers are more in-tune with Australia’s youth than our aging political representatives.

The last two categories tend to contain those who wear “Australia — Love it or Leave it” t-shirts. All categories are essentially white Australians. Australian politicians should not deny the racist element that exists within the flag wavers. John Howard has wooed this sector with his careful selection of the word “tolerate” meaning to bear, permit, allow, put up with, that is, love it or leave it.

Throughout my growing years Australians tended to have a healthy disregard for patriotism through a flag’s colours. As examples, the Union Jack t-shirt was made famous by the Sex Pistols and the British punk movement while Americans would tearfully sing the Star-Spangled Banner to the bemusement of the average Australian audience.

The Australian flag has been much debated for several years over its design and whether or not Australians fought under, or even for, it. John Howard and the RSL have been vocal and conservative supporters. In their united push for a return to the good old days of God, Queen and Country they may have unwittingly let the genie out of the bottle where every wish has a twist.

The offending request from the BDO organisers (ABC Online):
“In recent times, there has been an increased incidence of flags brandished aggressively and this has led to increased tension. Our only intention in discouraging this activity at the Big Day Out is to ensure that our patrons are not subjected to this aggressive behaviour,” a statement on the Big Day Out website said.

“With all this in mind and the aim to create a happy, peaceful musical event, organisers would like to request that fans please leave their flags at home.”