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Read my thoughts from previous years
This year ANZAC Day in New Zealand exists in the shadow of the Christchurch Mosque attacks, which have seen ANZAC events around the country cancelled or changed due to what seem to be mostly abstract "security concerns", and for many members of my FB circles in the wake of the latest Sri Lanka bombings.
The words I want to quote today are from a Sri Lankan New Zealander connecting their experiences of both of these events.
Lest we forget, the world still has a long way to go. And in a time where major powers are again (still) locking innocents and civilians in internment camps on ethnic grounds (USA, China) and the "first" world continues to turn a blind eye to ethnic cleansing in third world countries deemed to have no useful resources (throughout the African continent) while continuing to support, enable and actively participate in wars and killing in others (the Middle East) I have to wonder, what sacrifices now would we need to make it stop?
This year ANZAC Day in New Zealand exists in the shadow of the Christchurch Mosque attacks, which have seen ANZAC events around the country cancelled or changed due to what seem to be mostly abstract "security concerns", and for many members of my FB circles in the wake of the latest Sri Lanka bombings.
The words I want to quote today are from a Sri Lankan New Zealander connecting their experiences of both of these events.
In the immediate aftermath of the Christchurch attacks, I found it hard to articulate to my Pākehā friends how the emotions I felt were different to theirs. For many here, it was a loss of innocence in the belief that their country was a safe haven. For me, it was a stark reminder of what the world could be if you took your eyes off the ball even for a second.
-Chamanthie Sinhalage-Fonseka
Lest we forget, the world still has a long way to go. And in a time where major powers are again (still) locking innocents and civilians in internment camps on ethnic grounds (USA, China) and the "first" world continues to turn a blind eye to ethnic cleansing in third world countries deemed to have no useful resources (throughout the African continent) while continuing to support, enable and actively participate in wars and killing in others (the Middle East) I have to wonder, what sacrifices now would we need to make it stop?
