So, there's a referendum coming up. I don't really understand it apart from it adds rights to the Australian constitution and specifically states Indigenous and Torres Strait Islanders.
I don't think it will necessarily change anything and that this is another policy that looks good on paper but so do other policies and nothing measurable will be noticed.
I don't see the point in voting yes or no. These are the only two options. I feel like I'm be forced either way. If I vote no, I'm a racist. If I vote yes, then I am just voting for nothing that only changed the ink on a database.
What do I do? I feel like shit.
15 Replies
I'm voting no. Voting yes just segregates further.
If you don't want to vote either way, just submit a blank.
There’s no right or wrong. The fiercest person I know in advocating for his own rights (grandfather was apart of the stolen generation) has said he will vote no. He said there’s no clear power nominated in what power they will or won’t have or how they will even be elected to parliament. He wants segregation to stop and feels this has divided the nation worse than ever before.
I feel how you feel. There is no right.
I do worry this will only create more issues
I live in WA and most Aboriginal people here are against The Voice. It's not racist to vote against this. I will be voting no simply because I don't trust it, there is a huge difference between what Aboriginal people in a city like Melbourne want compared to an elder in Halls Creek. Theres just no way that little group of people are going to be able to know and agree on what the most vulnerable/needy Aboriginal people need and I think something like The Voice is only going to make things worse for our smaller communities when Aboriginal people in cities (who will likely be the ones in the voice with the most power) will ignore serious issues like abuse, alcoholism etc. Like Lydia Thorpe, God help us. Vote No.
It's not racist to vote no.
You're not voting against our indigenous people to have anything. You're saying no, this isn't the way I see it working.
Trust me, it will change everything in ways that will negatively affect all Australians. It certainly won't help the indigenous people. Most haven't even been consulted and a large majority will be voting no because of it. I feel thr majority of yes votes will come from non indigenous Australians so they don't feel racist.
Honestly, iv not met a single aboriginal friend or family member who thinks this is a good idea.
I believe something like this can be very beneficial but I feel it's too soon as it hasn't been explained well or had enough input yet. I wish they'd shelve this for another couple of years or so and put some more into it first. I think the intention is good but I can definitely understand why people are voting no and I think it will be a no vote overall. It just feels too rushed and no one really knows wtf will actually happen if it gets approved.
I'll be voting no, purely because there's not enough information about The Voice - how people will be elected, how much power they'll have, and every single person will be pushing their own agenda.
I really agree with having an advisory body for indigenous issues, but not like this.
And my indigenous friends all feel the same.
I (and they) do believe it will lead to further segregation and more racism - people will be unhappy with things The Voice are pushing for, such as this "paying rent" bullshit, and that will filter out to the community.
I am Voting No, I am from the NT and indigenous and I don’t agree with it all. If the do gooders from interstate want to vote yes then how about they get up here and see what the Australian government is ignoring.The abuse of women and children here should be their priority. The whole referendum is a joke and a massive waste of tax payers money. Come and live with us up here for a week.I don’t want money. I want our women and children safe everyday and our children taken off the streets and educated.Follow Jacinta price on Facebook.
Why should I pay extra on my mortgage for rent. It’s terrible. I can’t afford my mortgage now.
I agree with the other commenter here. Jacinta price is amazing and should be our PM.
We are one and there are First Nations in parliament.
you are not racist for voting No. it is so misunderstood by so many. It’s mostly backed by white people in the cities and eastern states. When our government has to influence companies like qantas to join in the yes vote, you know that it’s not legit. Most of those Voting yes have no idea. They just don’t want to appear racist. A vote doesn’t make you racist . Our government trying to divide us, is racist. We already have First Nations in parliament. I would also love to know, why it’s almost always about money. No I won’t be paying a land rent, if this gets passed.
Once YES goes through there is no turning back. We are one no matter what colour we are. I don’t look at my white friends any different to how they look at me. This will create a racial divide.
Jacinta price an amazing indigenous politician in the NT, she explains it so well. If you check out her Facebook page, you will see for yourself. She is indigenous herself and is a hard NO on it. I think she should be our next prime minister.
This has already created divide. I am indigenous and voting NO, my friends apologise to me for wanting to vote No. I don’t understand. There is no need to apologise, I am with them. We don’t need it. It’s a NO from me.
You know it’s a joke when you are given such short notice to vote on something that we know nothing about. Our leader doesn’t give a crap about indigenous Australians. If he did, he would be putting a stop the child abuse and domestic violence in the indigenous communities Australia wide. This to me is a priority and until you have lived amongst it and see what goes on, you will never understand how our government can turn a blind eye to what is happening. He doesn’t care. Look at Alice Springs, they are begging for help.
Can't help a race of people who don't want help, but want all the entitlements. My five grandkids are Noongar. I've seen all, and it's not pretty to the levels a lot of these people go to , holding out their hand for everything free but offering nothing productive in return.
Abuse
Alcoholism
Drugs
Bashings
Theft
Robbery
Rapes
Murder
This is not all Indigenous. But it is most. I speak from experience.