When you travel you learn. Being in Cairns for Chinese New Year was one thing; experiencing Australia Day was another. As an outsider, it’s clear there is much controversy over the holiday, which is celebrated as Australia’s National day. Many indigenous people refer to the annual date as Invasion Day, Survival Day, or Day of Mourning.

These are not easy conversations to have. The US struggles with similar problems when it comes to Native American rights, or the adding/removing of the word “God” in the Pledge of Allegiance. Basically everywhere in the world copes with its darker parts of history.

We need to have the conversations, so we can move forward together. Our world is becoming smaller and more connected. We can use these annual celebrations as an impetus to connect with each other as well. Communication and understanding are the first steps toward changing the world.