It used to be that if a man wanted to bash his wife nearly to death and abuse his kids then the door was closed and he did whatever he did. It was, after all, between him and his wife. Now it's a crime, and the man is held accountable to the community because now we know that if we ignore that sort of behaviour it undermines our humanity in the very many communities that we are. That sort of behaviour is intolerable, threatening to all of us and now we don't leave the poor wife and kids to deal with it 'face to face' just because it's felt to be 'domestic', 'private' and so on. We challenge it wherever we see it happening 'cos we know that's how it stops. Excuse the analogy but it's the same thing. Why should Azizi raise it between one other person and herself? Stick it in the middle of the lot of us I say, and sure enough that's exactly what she's done. Named it, sprayed it, and shot it. Goodoh. Azizi raises "responses to racism" as a serious issue and I'm right there with her. I thinks its wonderful to see all those who are not only prepared to go off and think about it, but also let their views be known and more importantly, name and challenge racism if they see it and wherever they see it. I still don't have any time for racism in any of its form and I personally am beyond being polite about it. I love that sister girl Azizi can give us all such respect as to raise this one and keep on batting in there despite the crap that is going down. Racism is beyond discussion or reasoning - it should be shot down and sprayed on. If there are names and faces so be it. They did it, they wear it. And everyone seems more than capable of talking/communicating. A song by an Koorie (Aboriginal) group called Tiddas which means sisters, which is about what this thread is about, and if I could play it Azizi I would dedicate it to you my sister. Keep on keeping on!
Poison Blood
If you build it, don't tear it
If you build, don't tear it down
If you build it, don't tear it
Sand will turn to stone
If you leave it just standing
If you leave it standing there
You will find you're not looking
You won't see
Can't you see just be being together
We can make a change
Then we're free from the chains that bind us
Nobody can hold us back
Nobody can hold us back
Poison blood it runs freely
Poison blood it runs fast
But if you look towards your brother
You'll see there's love to last
Can't you see, just by being together
We can make a change
Then we're free from the chains that bind us
Nobody can hold us back
Nobody can hold us back
Poison blood it runs freely
Poison blood it runs fast
But if you look toward your Tidda (sister!)
You'll see there's love to last.
If you build it, don't tear it
If you build don't tear it down
If you build it, don't tear it
Sand will turn to stone......
(By Amy Lou & Sal, three Koorie girls who were called Tiddas