The topic of "boat people" in the latest federal election definitely rubbed me the wrong way. There was an obvious sense of alarmist fear mongering from both the Liberal and Labor party, pandering to the fear of being over-run by these boat people and the resources of Australia being drained. I like many people, found this ridiculous and pathetic. But even people I considered reasonable and intelligent began talking about how people were jumping the queues illegally and how they were going to break down the moral fiber of the nation.
While people might call me a left wing hippie, I don't understand how people can be so inhumane to fellow human beings. These are just people who have fled persecution and civil unrest; people who just want the opportunity to live a safe and healthy life, for themselves and their families.
To say these people aren't a productive and contributing part of our society is naive and unjust. My father himself is a refugee, he had to flee Vietnam to escape persecution from the communists and the war. His story is like many other asylum seekers; fleeing in the middle of night, not being able to tell other family members and friends and spending time in the boiler room of a unsafe boat in search of a better life.
The Key of Sea is a collaborative project with prominent Australian artists and refugees exploring the various experiences and perspectives of refugees and migrants around the world. All proceeds from the sales of the album will go to the Asylum Seeker Resource Centre, Human Rights Arts and Film Festival and Refugees Survivors and Ex Detainees (RISE). With thoughtful and interesting collaborations, put your cynicism aside for a moment and support a worthy cause. You can pre-order the album on iTunes.
The Key of Sea Twitter
To say these people aren't a productive and contributing part of our society is naive and unjust. My father himself is a refugee, he had to flee Vietnam to escape persecution from the communists and the war. His story is like many other asylum seekers; fleeing in the middle of night, not being able to tell other family members and friends and spending time in the boiler room of a unsafe boat in search of a better life.
The Key of Sea is a collaborative project with prominent Australian artists and refugees exploring the various experiences and perspectives of refugees and migrants around the world. All proceeds from the sales of the album will go to the Asylum Seeker Resource Centre, Human Rights Arts and Film Festival and Refugees Survivors and Ex Detainees (RISE). With thoughtful and interesting collaborations, put your cynicism aside for a moment and support a worthy cause. You can pre-order the album on iTunes.
Track Listing:
- Tim Rogers Compania/ The Ghost
- Old Man River and Javier Fredes / Merry Christmas Island
- Urthboy and Group 120/ Letters From Jamshed
- Sarah Blasko and Ajak Kwai/ Nyiir Ienquarr
- Oh Mercy and Nadia Omar/ Hands Will Cradle
- Blue King Brown and Diafrix / Streets are Getting Hot
- Katie Noonan and The Captains with Taikoz / Fatal Shore
- Skipping Girl Vinegar and Tri Nguyen/ Bullets and Mango Trees
- Philadelphia Grand Jury and Klezmania / Sing For The Sun
- The Cat Empire and Anbessa Gebrihiwot / Zero
- The Vasco Era and Yousif Aziz / Habibi
The Key of Sea Twitter
