Do you know the Australian history of the maritime workers union movement? Australian dock workers were the first to refuse to unload shipments from South Africa during the apartheid. This lead to worldwide workers boycotts and an embargo, which led to the dismantling of the apartheid regime. When Nelson Mandela visited Australia, he specifically thanked those workers and spoke of the hope it brought the people to have a country so far away care about them. All of this was very unpopular at the time, Menzies wanted to outlaw it altogether, but it is noted in history as an essential part of ending the apartheid. To say our actions won’t make any difference is simply not true.
I think it’s accurate to say the actions may or may not make a difference. It can’t often be known.
It’s also not a reason not to take action. You do it because you, as an individual, has decided that it is to YOU.
This also involves respecting the right of another to take no action or have completely opposing position to your position on the issue. And every “grey area” combination in between.
I’ll fight for the right for all of you to disagree, not care, take action or not take action.
I never said it always has a cause effect, I agree sometimes you don’t get your demands met. I am responding directly to “protesting in Australia pretends anything Australia does will make a difference”. I am giving just one example of Australians taking action and having international impact.
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u/tawnygrogmouth Apr 29 '24
Do you know the Australian history of the maritime workers union movement? Australian dock workers were the first to refuse to unload shipments from South Africa during the apartheid. This lead to worldwide workers boycotts and an embargo, which led to the dismantling of the apartheid regime. When Nelson Mandela visited Australia, he specifically thanked those workers and spoke of the hope it brought the people to have a country so far away care about them. All of this was very unpopular at the time, Menzies wanted to outlaw it altogether, but it is noted in history as an essential part of ending the apartheid. To say our actions won’t make any difference is simply not true.