4 First Nations women respond to racist comments about changing the date.

Mamamia only refers to January 26 by its date, to acknowledge that it is not a day of celebration for all Australians.

For many, January 26 is a day of celebrating what it means to be Australian. For many others, it is a day of mourning, a day of invasion that led to the deaths of thousands of First Nations people through the introduction of European diseases, and the dispossession of a culture that had endured for 80,000 years.

Every year, when First Nations people and their allies talk about January 26 and why they would like to change or abolish the date, they experience hurtful and racist comments, primarily from people hiding behind keyboards and fake social media accounts. The comments are always the same: "Get over it; it was so long ago", "It was my ancestors, not me", "Get off the dole".

So, we decided to highlight the racism that First Nations people's experience - at all times of the year, but particularly around and on January 26. 

The video below features First Nations women from different walks of life reading out the racist messages they constantly receive, and how they would respond to them.

The women who participated are TV presenter and proud Whadjuk Noongar woman Narelda Jacobs, writer and Mirri-yhar-burrah woman from Euahlayi country Natasha Lucas, lawyer and Dharug woman Karen Iles, and educator and proud Dunghutti woman Ashlee Donohue.

Watch the video below.

Mamamia would like to thank Narelda, Natasha, Karen, and Ashlee for their involvement. 

Feature Image: Mamamia.