Like many other people, I am still struggling to come to terms with the sheer volume of the ‘No’ vote in last Saturday’s referendum for the proposed Voice to Parliament and constitutional recognition for the First Nations people.
How could we say ‘No’ to the longest continual culture on earth, who so eloquently and simply asked if they could have a say in running their own affairs for a change?
I believe, as a nation, who prides itself on humanity and a fair go, that we should take a long hard look at ourselves and seriously question our blind acceptance of the sheer negativity of hard-line, right-wing journalism and politicians which drove the ‘No’ campaign.
It was ‘No’ which caused the division, not race.
In refusing to accept the request for recognition in the Constitution and a voice to parliament from Indigenous Australians, we coldheartedly batted away the outstretched hand of friendship from our First Nations People.
If you always do what you’ve always done, you’ll always get what you’ve always got. ‘No’ gets you nowhere.
For four decades The Echo has printed the stories some people loved, some people hated, and some pretended not to read. If you want us to keep telling the truth, the real truth, not the sugar-coated version. We’ll need your support to keep the presses rolling. 
