I am wondering why we trivialise indigenous racism in Australia?

[i-need-a-martini]

Adam Goodes has copped it twice this week - once from a kid and then by an adult who should know better.

I feel so ashamed of this country at this moment. I am sick of hearing a sentence start with "I am not racist but..." before the person launches into a race based attack on indigenous people (or Asians. Or Muslims).

What I have found the most interesting about the Goodes incident is how many people made excuses that made him look like the antagonist. Almost as if making racist remarks about indigenous people is no big deal. Treating him as if his feelings, his views (and everything about him) is unimportant. And I am staggered at how many people know so little about the history of racism a history that so many generations of indigenous people have had to go through.

And now Eddie Mcquire has shown us that racist comments against indigenous people is lurking just on the tips of our tongues waiting to be blurted out without refrain. 

I can't help but agree with this: One of the most savage responses to McGuire came from Magpies backman Harry O'Brien, who admonished his president, declaring he was ''extremely disappointed''. ''In my opinion race relations in this country is systematically a national disgrace,'' he said. 
Read more: http://www.smh.com.au/afl/afl-news/eddie-offers-to-stand-aside-20130529-2nc63.html

I agree with that last line - it is a national disgrace.

[cueperkins]

My husband is English Katy, his mother and grandmother born in India. When I was in England the whole street was talking about me because I had a bath every day so there must be some truth in it lol! I thought the expression was a bath once a week whether you need it or not.

Missing peoples humour in this thread though.

peeekabooooooo....

[cueperkins]

[cueperkins]

There's a wonderful group called Reconciliation who make fusion music with Irish/Indigenous influences. Lots of didgerdoos, bodhrans and ancient celtic horns

http://grooveshark.com/#!/s/Jiggery+Didj/1RctXu?src=5

Love it...WOW....what a funky musical fusion.....thanks for posting that

[the_great_she_elephant]

Reading this thread it occurs to me there is one aspect of the whole situation that hasn't been discussed. It's what I call the 'sins of the father' syndrome.

At the time when racism and discrimination was rampant and considered normal in white Australian society, the indigenous victims were voiceless. The were openly acknowledged as second class citizens, they had nowhere to turn to and no-one to complain to, and if they tried to speak out nobody listened to them. That didn't stop them speaking about it within their own families and communities though, and the sense of unredressed injustice has been passed down to subsequent generations. (I'm talking here about personal insults and humiliations, not big stuff like the stolen generation)

Things are different now, indigenous people do have a voice, and people do listen to them, but the old injustices still rankle, and in many cases the hurt people like Adam Goodes feel is not so much for themselves as for all those past generations of powerless victims.

Before they can 'get over' this sense of ancestral injury it needs to be confronted and redressed and I think this is the reason why Indigenous people are so quick to speak out when they feel offended and why in some eyes they are seen to be to be 'precious' by those who do not understand where they are coming from.

[cueperkins]

Before they can 'get over' this sense of ancestral injury it needs to be confronted and redressed and I think this is the reason why Indigenous people are so quick to speak out when they feel offended and why in some eyes they are seen to be to be 'precious' by those who do not understand where they are coming from.

I believe all that, and still thought the episode was a tad precious....when elders speak out....nobody seems to listen....but when an elder or elders do have the floor, they would choose their battles more wisely. I believe recognition is what is needed to build hope and pride on....JMO.

Goodes has a lot of power and and public support, he could do a hell of a lot more to further that recognition than get offended.  as I've said, Indigenous people are not homogenous and never were, so he only speaks for himself or his mob at best. 

The city is a world away from the outback.

I remember working at Fitzroy crossing roadhouse decades back and when bus tours came in, any of the desert or river people in the shop, would step back and lower their heads.  I learned later that it was because once upon a time they'd cop a wack if they met the eyes of white fellas.  that was around 1986-7. 

I've never experienced something so 'in your-face' as that in terms of existential abuse and negative conditioning.  they're so much more than that and it's that kind of instinctual generational reaction that needs to be corrected. 

I don't know what it's like now, but I'm about to find out this year when I make like a NOMAD...

[izabsmiling]

He has done and is doing quite a bit Cue 🙂

 2010 NSW Volunteer of the Year Award Ambassador for his work as a role model and mentor to young Aboriginals.

The annual NSW Volunteer of the Year Award recognises the significant contribution volunteers make to the community in New South Wales.

Some 2.4 million people in NSW contribute an estimated $5 billion to the State’s economy through their efforts as volunteers. Without their selfless efforts over an estimated 235 million working hours, many State and local government services would not exist.

Adam Goodes is of Aboriginal descent, and is active in the Sydney indigenous community. He has spent time working with troubled indigenous youth, including those in youth detention centres, along with his cousin and former teammate Michael O'Loughlin.

In September 2009 they launched the

Goodes O'Loughlin Foundation

a foundation aimed at empowering the next generation of Indigenous role models in all walks of life across Australia. Adam and Michael co-Chair the Foundation, which focuses on Education, Employment and Healthy Lifestyles.

Together they have also just helped to start an indigenous football academy.

Adam paid tribute to the work of volunteers throughout the community and the effect their effort had on promoting wellbeing and positive attitude.

“You just have to look at sporting training fields throughout NSW – no matter what code of sport – to see the unpaid effort that goes into supporting just about everything we do.

I’m thrilled by the camaraderie that volunteering develops and I’m truly honoured to accept this award for 2010,” he said.

http://www.news.com.au/sport/afl/adam-goodes-praises-indigenous-support-but-says-theres-more-work-to...

Adam Goodes praises indigenous support, but says there's more work to be done

Warwick Green From:Herald Sun February 07, 2013 12:00AM 

[donnashuggy]

Have you seen this cue? 🙂

https://open.abc.net.au/posts/a-metropolis-of-heat-and-goon-67yx9ry?WT.trc=Social%20Campaigns&WT.mc_...

[viewmont1071]

I remember the discrimination at school I remember the day in 1967 when the Stuart Island aboriginal school closed and some very worried, embarassed young indigenous children with bodies covered in purple mercurochrome were herded in front of a !00% white assembly of teachers and students. I remember the way that the aboriginals clung together in a single group eating and playing under a raised classroomonly really mixing to play sport

......... the great leveller..............

http://www.environment.nsw.gov.au/resources/cultureheritage/NambuccaWomensHeritage.pdf

from the map Bellwood reserve = Nambucca "Mish" (think not quite as confronting as Bowraville Mish or Burnt bridge "Mish" near Kempsey ,

Stuart Island is of real local indigenous cultural significance

... looked better to european settlers though to be used as a golf course...

bugger the burial and initiation trees.

Read the aboriginal female elders ( colloquially known as Aunties)  life stories

[viewmont1071]

Hawk, I would like to address the perspective of education. At least I will have a crack at it.

I was born into an English speaking family. I grew up in an environment where English was the first language spoken. So from birth I was exposed to and learned not only English, but also behaviours that are accepted/expected as "normal" in main stream suburban society. Whilst my father did not receive the same education as I did, he still grew up in much the same way, if you know what I mean.

Now, an Indigenous person, especially those who live in a remote area, may not be born into or grow up in a family where English is the first language, and the "mainstream expected" cultural behaviours are often very different.

Now, introduce the education system as it has been in Australia up until this year. A system, designed by people in suits, who have probably grown up in the suburbs and led a relatively "normal" life as it were by main stream society's values. Think of the age/generation of the people designing these curriculums and the values, beliefs, agency and class of these people.

They designed a curriculum that was targeted towards mainstream suburban kids, without even consulting the Indigenous leaders to ask them what they needed or what they thought was required, they just designed a curriculum and expected EVERYBODY to adapt, regardless of cultural capital or ability.

So from the start, a lot of Indigenous kids are disadvantaged in education, they are already behind their same aged peers, because they have to adapt to the curriculum that a completely different and basically foreign culture has told them that in order to be valued they must accept.

Some of these kids can speak up to four different languages on entering school, and have learned survival skills that would have most "suburban parents" wrapping their kids in cotton wool over, yet none of these skills and abilities are valued "by the suits" or "mainstream society" so theses kids, who have dirt floored classrooms and get a teacher who speaks English maybe 3 days a week, are determined to be academically deficient.

Tom Calma, is an exceptional person to google and read his explanations.

http://ab-ed.boardofstudies.nsw.edu.au/go/aboriginal-languages/learning/bowraville-nambucca/

Background

The Bowraville Central School Gumbaynggirr program is one of the longest running Aboriginal language programs in NSW. It has been running K–10 since 1993, including a Board of Studies Endorsed course for the School Certificate, before the syllabus became available.

Nambucca Heads High School began offering a Stage 6 Board of Studies Endorsed Gumbaynggirr course in 2005.

Both schools have both been working with the Muurrbay Aboriginal Language and Culture Co-operative. They share resources and personnel.

Together with the Board of Studies, the two schools are preparing a Stage 4 program, using the NSW Aboriginal Languages K-10 Syllabus.

Although both schools had some experience of Gumbaynggirr learning and teaching, they wanted to work further with the Board of Studies to develop well-planned programs.

Board of Studies workshops with the two schools began in 2006.

Introducing the Aboriginal Languages Team

• Dallas Walker, Gumbaynggirr teacher


• Sharon Smith, Gumbaynggirr teacher


• Pauline Hooler, Gumbaynggirr teacher


• Michael Jarrett, Gumbaynggirr teacher


• Paul Le Cerf, Head teacher


• Richard Clarke, Languages (French) teacher


• Julie Long, teacher-linguist


• Gary Williams, Gumbaynggirr language expert


• David Prosser, Gumbaynggirr teacher


• Clarrie Hoskins, Aboriginal Education Co-ordinator


• Valla Cohen, Aboriginal Education Assistant


• Felicia Jarrett, Aboriginal Education Assistant


• Angela Tate, Languages (Japanese) teacher

Gary Williams, Gumbaynggirr language expert

In February 1965 a group of Sydney University students called "Students for Aboriginal Rights" (SAFA), led by Aboriginal students Charles Perkins and Gary Williams, began a trip that would change Australian history.

https://www.google.com.au/#sclient=psy-ab&q=gary+williams+freedom+ride&oq=gary+williams+freedom+ride&gs_l=hp.12..0.821412.827707.4.831225.28.18.0.2.2.2.1821.11277.6-1j4j3.8.0...0.0...1c.1.15.hp.ZX1OLJmPDtg&psj=1&bav=on.2,or.r_cp.r_qf.&bvm=bv.47244034,d.dGI&fp=d316ed43a0f86b32&biw=1024&bih=609

[viewmont1071]

Through education has come respect and the ability of others to understand a l;ittel better indigenous hardship. The grouping of persistant activists in one arae has allowed the knowledge to blossom. I grew up with all these blokes and they are inspirational regardless of their initial ethnic backgrounds

http://rightnow.org.au/artwork/theatre-foley/

Gary Foley

In his own words, Foley signifies his accession to today’s young activists, whom he encourages to move forward in the struggle for Aboriginal land rights and economic independence.

The play follows a chronological timeline beginning with significant events in Australia’s history and the emergence of early Aboriginal rights movements; to Foley’s youth, growing up as a young Aboriginal man in Nambucca Heads on the mid north coast of New South Wales; to his early education and subsequent involvement in Aboriginal rights movements of the 1970s.

Foley spoke of the influence the American Black Panther Party and Black Power movement exerted on Aboriginal activists of the time.

For the first half of the show, he wore a black bomber jacket with a diamante-studded clenched fist on the back, the symbol of Black Power.

Later, he wore a similarly decorated black blazer with a matching sparkling lapel.

https://www.google.com.au/#sclient=psy-ab&q=Aden+Ridgeway+nambucca+heads&oq=Aden+Ridgeway+nambucca+heads&gs_l=hp.12...9489.12143.6.14254.15.10.0.0.0.0.1880.7681.7-1j4.5.0...0.0...1c.1.15.hp.rkffSQfJDCM&psj=1&bav=on.2,or.r_cp.r_qf.&bvm=bv.47244034,d.dGI&fp=d316ed43a0f86b32&biw=1024&bih=609

Growing up on a reserve near Nambucca Heads, Aden Ridgeway was a wide-eyed five-year-old when the historic 1967 referendum was passed giving Indigenous Australians the right to vote.

Thirty years later he would become the second Aboriginal person elected to Federal Parliament. Aden Ridgeway has led an extraordinary life.