The 53rd State Down Under!

The State with the good looking people!

Published on June 7, 2004 By Muggaz In Current Events

When I was 10 I was very socially conscious of my environment – Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, 21 Jump Street, and the Chicago Bulls. It was certainly apparent that Australia was immersed in American culture, now I am certain.

I love my country so much, it’s almost a problem. You can only imagine the shame I feel when I read about the stolen generation of Aboriginals, or the complete extinction of the race in Tasmania. The shady business dealings of big Australian oil/gas companies, with the young and naïve government of East Timor – disgusting. The frequent incarceration of children coming to Australia to seek a better life is nothing short of disturbing. I am proud to say that my shame at these events isn’t necessarily because of what we are doing or have done that is wrong, it’s because I know we can do it better.

Australia is losing its identity. This troubles me so much more than any of the injustices above. Perhaps my assumption is based that before extreme globalisation, Australia didn’t really have much of an identity other than Crocodile Dundee, a little gold, and loads of sharks, but as an Australian, I can tell you we are so much more.

Australia is becoming the 53rd state of America. There has been a lot of literature around JU regarding the subject – some satirical, some not. Cann1bals AUS vs USA Marco’s ‘Who would have guessed we are Allies? and Kupes ‘The League of English Speaking Nations’ Each article presents a valid point, some in an aggressive fashion, and some in an observant fashion, either way, It cannot be denied that there is a point.

Australian’s are smart people, but when American presidents are included more in our curriculum than our own government, doesn’t someone have to start asking questions? I assure people reading this that most Australian student would know about George Washington, yet the name Edmund Barton would draw blanks. What is happening to our identity?

No disrespect to Ronald Reagan, but I don’t really have the inclination to watch a 15 minute special programmed into our local news on him when it has nothing to do with my day to day life as an Australian. Not only did they include particular facets of his speeches that proved he wasn’t the smartest president, they included a lot of his really crappy acting as well – how can I win?

It’s kind of funny… you always hear about irrational conspiracy theories about the media subliminally controlling the masses, but this is not irrational at all – due to American programming, both television and radio, we are slowly becoming ‘The State Down Under’ I cant blame the American’s for this though – can I?

Where did it all start? What became so interesting about American culture, which drew Australia to immerse itself in it? I haven’t been around along enough, but my understanding of the situation is World War II was the catalyst. The English resources were stretched, and we were under attack in the Pacific… the Japanese were days away from landing in northern Australia, then they did something stupid and attacked Pearl Harbour – the Americans were our guardians now, not the British, they failed us tremendously. Was it in America’s interest’s to protect and befriend us? You can bet your bald headed eagle it was.

The ANZUS (Australia, New Zealand, and United States) defence treaty was signed, and it was the start of a fruitful relationship – quid pro quo… The Americans helped us more than we could ever help them… joint bases established, McDonald’s erected, trade deals signed… however, unbeknownst to the Australian government at the time, we sold out. We were slowly becoming America, Globalisation sped it up somewhat.

The value of an ally (no matter how small) has proved in recent world events to be priceless. For a minnow like Australia to be aligned with the world’s super power can only be beneficial… right? Wrong. I am not happy with the image Australia conveys to the world right now… are we an ally? Or just a lap dog barking contentment at every request or order billowed at us?

This has nothing to do with an inferiority complex when it comes to America… No American is better than me, and America is not a better place, by the same token, I don’t claim to be better than an American, or that Australia is better place, I just know we are different, and we really must emphasise those differences to claim our identity back!

As I read this, I find myself shaking my head… There is no turning back now, but we can stop where we are. I don’t want an isolationist policy, but I don’t want to have my vision clouded with star spangled sunglasses. Americans are the kings and queens of entertainment, and that is how they have crept into our life… This is the key – yeah, Australians will be forced to deal with crap TV, but we have a lot of sun here, the kids can go outside and play footy, this will stop them from getting fat like American’s as well…

Any kid that knows more American president’s than Australian Prime Ministers will be tied to a chair, and forced to listen to American country music 24/7 – this would instil fear into the hearts of most Australian’s – if it doesn’t, play Barny the dinosaur instead.

America is a great and powerful country, I am glad they like us, but this doesn’t mean we have to be their lap dog! There is talk of bringing our troops home from Iraq before Christmas – even as someone opposed to the war, this is the most ridiculous notion I have ever heard – backing out now is not feasible, we got ourselves into this mess, and we will see it though to the end– that is the Australian thing to do, hopefully whoever makes the decision realises this, and doesn’t retreat just because of bad PR involving the Americans…

Australia being so different from everywhere else is what gives us our international appeal, however, I fear Sydney can be compared to San Francisco as a culturally similar holiday Destination… Sydney-siders, and myself, would vehemently beg to differ!

BAM!!!

Comments (Page 2)

Teegstar

on Jun 09, 2004

heya mugzie and my fellow commentors

i did an essay on australia-united states relations for one of my subjects at uni this year and it was fascinating. about your point on how australia has come to rely too much on the united states post wwII -- up till then, australia had relied just as heavily on england. the point is, australia has always looked for protection from other bigger, more powerful nations and has really never given itself a chance to move alone. that's from a political and international relations standpoint though, and although there are definitely some inherent dangers there (as well as positives, it must be said) it's been a very long gradual process to get to where we are and it will take time to change as well.

from a cultural perspective though i definitely think it's a travesty that there is so much american crap being shoved at australians when there is so much quality australian stuff to be had. think music like jet, cat empire, powderfinger, the dissociatives, john butler trio.... the list goes on and on.... movies like go big which never went to the cinemas.... quality comedy like frontline, full frontal, backberner, the comedy company which either showed only on abc or spun for a couple of seasons and then sank into the past while we're still watching the nanny and popular.

it's just sad. i don't know why it is either -- who's setting the agenda?

i vehemently agree with nicky g that we should be taking the initiative and be producing the sort of media we want to see -- there's no point in kicking against american media if there's nothing to replace it with.

one final comment: thank God for the abc!!

Muggaz

on Jun 09, 2004

Teegs... that was insightful, because you used the word travesty... that is an awesome word!!!

Basically, I think anyone that listens to any radio station other than Tripple J is missing out... lucky we have a bunch of socialists down there at the ABC!!!

The Cat Empire are playing this weekend at the Corner Hotel... tickets are $17.50... tickets to Justin Timberlake are $130.00, and he will sell out as well... what does that tell you?

Australia doesn't have the capacity to stand on her own two feet internationally, thats for sure, but what has that got to do with our media? can't America just look after us? Its like we are the baby and America is the parent feeding us the brussel sprouts... no matter if we like it or not, the Americans will always tell us we should eat the brussel sprouts, because they 'are good for us'

I think we should leave the brussel sprouts alone... and just drink beer.

BAM!!!

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