It is disappointing but I am not angry as I would have been a decade ago. The last ten years has taught me that if that monument was in a park in Brisbane and the Turkish government complained or pressure groups in Brisbane were 'offended' the Queensland and/or Australian government would cave and remove it themselves. I have no expectation that a foreign government will respect our culture or history when we are so embarrassed about protecting it ourselves. We fear any statement that hints at patriotism or pride in national achievement on the grounds that we marginalise or offend other groups. We cannot celebrate Australia Day because that would be racist. We cannot celebrate Anzac Day because that glorifies war. We cannot ask for greater scrutiny of immigration laws because then we are racist. We cannot criticise barbaric practices because that is culturally insensitive. We fear any government decision that might have our human rights record scrutinised by other nations, some with records that would turn a serial killer's stomach. If we want our history protected and commemorated appropriately we have to do it ourselves. If we want our achievements celebrated, we have to do it ourselves. If we believe that democracy is the best form of government we need to say so without fear of offending. If we ourselves are offended, we need to claim the right to say so, which is merely the same right we have handed to every minority group in Australia. Let Turkey do as she wishes as long as she does it within her own borders. But let's claim that right for ourselves as well.
