Letter to The Editor - Smacks of Incipient Totalitarianism

to THE AGE
     Current attacks on the celebration of Australia Day are too often misleading. Gregory Smithers (‘January 26 has long been a political catalyst’, 24/8) focuses on ‘white privilege’ but neglects to consider white achievement in our history. Ordinary Aussies are not superficial, as he suggests they are, to see the attacks as destructive of ‘the myths and symbols that give meaning to collective national identity.’ And the ‘changing of political power’ in the nation is a matter of deep concern for lovers of traditional Australia. It smacks of incipient totalitarianism.
     As for John Armstrong’s generalizing reference (Letters, 24/8) to ‘white settlers’ seeing Aboriginals as ‘part of the fauna’, it is a grossly unjust insult for which no adequate evidence exists at all.
NJ, Belgrave, Vic