Feature Article – Disrespect for Authority
Part of our culture there has been many ideas to what the Australian narrative has become. Disrespect for authority is a very prominent idea that is still extremely vibrant in the nation today. This idea is one of many ideas that are helped to define the Australian Narrative. Disrespect for Authority to Australians is renowned to someone who ‘crosses the line’ or ‘bends the rules’ for their benefits. This idea to Australians is so deeply embedded in our culture and heritage that we don’t even realise its happening.
This obliviousness to, and blind acceptance of, the existence of anti-authoritarianism is by far the most dominant perception of the matter within our society. A distinguishing feature of an Aussie, who disrespected authority, can be taken back to one of our nation’s true old time legends. We all know the tales of Ned Kelly, one of our heroes from the late 1800s. This ‘legend’ was known for his courage, boldness, and bad boy behavior. Ned murdered and stole, but we still over look those negative results of his behavior, and celebrate his willingness to stand up for him self.
Ned was forced into taking such actions because of the unfair treatment both him and his family had received from those in authority. It is only definite that Ned Kelly was a man who ‘bends the rules’ for his benefits, and he became famous for it. This then raises the question, is it right for Australia as a nation to celebrate such awful actions. Those ethics, such as standing up for self rights and boldness from Ned Kelly have echoed through time, leaking into our culture through numerous texts.
They have also found their way into our more contemporary culture, where they have flourished through the minds of many Australians. Take the film Chopper for example; no doubt this film is a prime illustration of an Australian character that disrespects authority. Eric Banner plays the character of Chopper Reid in the film; his life story is replicated perfectly that consists of continuous lack of respect and courtesy towards authority. On numerous occasions Chopper committed to what we see as some of the worst crimes.
He harmed those to what he saw as reckless criminals or other terms someone who killed for no reason. However, because of the fact that he was doing it for so called ‘good reasons’ we Australians over look that and celebrate Chopper as an Aussie icon. A prominent motive of the Australian way is having the ‘whatever’ attitude towards authority and people who are working for authority. Many Australians encourage the idea of disrespect for authority. This idea in the Australian narrative has become a continuous pattern in many Australians live.
Now we have all heard of the party boy Corey Worthington, well believe it or not this young man is another classic example of a more contemporary person who has shown disrespect to authority. Corey Worthington hosted a wild party that consisted of approximately 500 youths. Not only did this uproar show disrespect to his parents, but to reporters, the law and other residents in the area. The teenager’s actions were no doubt reckless, though he considered himself a ‘legend’ for disobeying authority. Corey may have copped a $20,000 fine, but that became nothing to the praise the nation was giving him.
Instead of being punished he was showered in numerous job offers, fame and many other opportunities. Corey Worthington took advantage of disrespect towards authority and was then celebrated for it. Disrespect for authority has been prominent in the past and present times and most likely to keep going onward to the future. Those who have disrespect for authority are worshiped for there actions and now days receive little to no penalty. Australians see this trait as an acceptance to our behavior as it has been embedded in the minds throughout many generations.
