There is an urgent need to change the street name, Hottentot Crescent in Mullumbimby to Khoisan Crescent.
The reason for this important change to occur is that the derogatory term ‘Hottentot’ (same connotation as ‘nigger’) was given to the indigenous peoples, the Khoisan, in the 18th century by European colonisers. The term now is deprecative and offensive. Slurs have been used to dehumanise and marginalise these communities for centuries. It is time for us to acknowledge the harm caused by these names and take steps towards rectifying this injustice.
The Khoisan people have a rich cultural heritage that deserves to be celebrated and respected. By changing the name of this street, we can take a step towards acknowledging and honouring the contributions of this community to our shared history. It is an important step towards promoting inclusivity and fighting against the systemic racism that has plagued our society for far too long.
By shedding light on this momentous change, we can educate and inform our readers about the historical significance and importance of embracing diverse cultural narratives.
As South African-born residents of the Byron Shire, we are writing to request that Byron Council change the name of Hottentot Crescent in Mullumbimby to Khoisan Crescent, the preferred name for the non-Bantu-speaking indigenous people of South Africa.
We understand that changing the name of a street can be a complex process, but believe that it is a necessary one. We urge Council to take this request seriously and to work towards making this change a reality. Let us work together to build a more just and equitable society for all.
On behalf of local and Interstate members of the Khoisan Community of Australia.
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