Today is the 29th anniversary of the release of anti-establishment icon Snoop Dog’s seminal and controversial album, “Doggystyle”. At lunchtime today, hoping to do something to mark the occasion, I went to a protest vigil outside the office of the Premier Of Victoria with the beginnings of a rap – “Speak your mind/ And be kind/ Or you’ll find/ That you grind out hate.” in the hope that a talented local hip-hop celebrity would help me finish or add to it. That guy was busy with work for a couple of other gigs, but he suggested asking another fella present to help, an indigenous freedom fighter named Coco – a proud Barkinji Man.
I had a wonderful exchange of ideas with Coco and it lead to the following micro-movie which is very different from what I had hoped for earlier. but probably far better. That’s the way creative freedom often works: just because you have a plan, it doesn’t mean you shouldn’t be ready to change course, if a better opportunity presents.
As I understand it, traditional Barkinji territory stretches from deep in the west of New South Wales into Mildura and Avoca, towns which are both in the modern State of Victoria. So Coco is a Victorian indigenous man and therefore has a very valuable perspective on the state of this State.
What Coco speaks out to say is not kind to Daniel Michael Andrews, but that bloke has misgoverned so badly and incited so much hatred by his indifference to the sufferings which his decisions have caused to so many people whom he is supposed to serve, that he has, in my honest opinion, lost the right to kindness.
As Benjamin Franklin said, “Rebellion to tyrants is obedience to God!”
In Australian indigenous culture and spirituality, as I understand it, The Rainbow Serpent can be considered a manifestation or some sort of equivalent to what Western people call God.
May God and Bunjil bless and be present with protective oversight for Coco and all those whose freedoms Coco defends.
Geoff Fox, 23rd November, 2022, Down Under