A new documentary, We Don’t Need a Map, is controversially exploring the idea that Australia’s national symbol of the Southern Cross has been hijacked by far-right nationalists much the same way the Swastika became a symbol of racism and violence after being commandeered by the Nazis in WWII.
The Swastika was originally a Sanskrit symbol for good fortune, but it the West it carries only negative connotations.
Filmmaker Warwick Thornton, of Samson and Delilah fame first caused national outrage in 2010 when he said “I’m concerned the Southern Cross is becoming the new Swastika.”
The Southern Cross nowadays brings to mind tattoos, and those who get them as a symbol of bigotry, hatred, and nationalist pride.
Thornton said that the Southern Cross has been “hijacked by dickheads”.
He told ABC Radio National’s Awaye program that he originally didn’t have any problem with Southern Cross tattoos.
“When I first saw a Southern Cross tattoo years and years ago, pre-Cronulla, pre all the bullshit, I thought it was quite cool”, he said, and questioned what we are becoming as a nation.
“Where do we stand? Are we standing with our chest all puffed out, wrapped in the flag, afraid that someone’s coming to steal our beers and barbecues?”
“It might be time we have a serious and sober conversation about our national symbol and ask the question, are we becoming dickheads?”
The film, which is screening as part of the Sydney Film Festival also explores the increase in requests for laser removal of Southern Cross tattoos, indicating that there are plenty of others who agree that the meaning behind the symbol has changed.
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