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]

Maybe nobody got this question with all the outrage on behalf of poor little Adam Goodes? 

"The Government says it will not call a referendum on recognising Indigenous Australians in the Constitution until it can be sure the vote will be successful" May 26, 2013

http://www.abc.net.au/news/201...

It seems that Systemic discrimination is OK because nobody seems as outraged over that .. but mention our evolutionary origins and all hell breaks loose...I wish people would put their energy behind things that matter.

I wonder...if they held a referendum tomorrow, how many would vote to give Indigenous people recognition under our constitution?

How many here, think this Goodes storm in a teacup is more important than Indigenous recognition?

[freakiness]

Maybe nobody got this question with all the outrage on behalf of poor little Adam Goodes? 

"The Government says it will not call a referendum on recognising Indigenous Australians in the Constitution until it can be sure the vote will be successful" May 26, 2013

http://www.abc.net.au/news/201...

It seems that Systemic discrimination is OK because nobody seems as outraged over that .. but mention our evolutionary origins and all hell breaks loose...I wish people would put their energy behind things that matter.

I wonder...if they held a referendum tomorrow, how many would vote to give Indigenous people recognition under our constitution?

How many here, think this Goodes storm in a teacup is more important than Indigenous recognition?

I would hope for unanimous support but the FUDmeisters and shock jocks would be out in force scaring the dacks off all and sundry about losing their backyards or something equally outrageous.

[cueperkins]

I just couldn't believe everyone was droning on about racism over a silly word, when this was the ultimate discrimination, but nobody said anything....*sigh*...it ain't never gonna change.

[izabsmiling]

I have heard no complaint from the species of ape. you?

No and I don't expect to hear complaints from the species of ape .I would think one would need to feel that apes were capable of speech and would be offended by Indigenous Australian being referred to as Apes to consider that it might be specism (as you did above) rather than it being the human/humans who may be offended as is the case with racism ? 

[*crikey*mate*]

I agree with the decision about NOT calling a referendum YET to give Constitutional recognition to our Indigenous people.

Breathe, read the following quote and let me explain.

"The changes that occur in the strengthening of relationships between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians during the referendum process will be just as important as the changes that occur on the pages of the Constitution.

Achieving a successful referendum will require a united effort. Australians will need to walk together and talk together in order to create a constitution that truly reflects the heart and soul of the nation. In essence, constitutional reform is about reconciling our past, building a solid foundation for the Indigenous and non-Indigenous relationship and looking ahead to a collective future."

Constitutional Reforms FAQ's

Just in this small sample of this thread we have seen a wide variety of views and attitudes, as well as been exposed to some of the views of the wider populace.

If the above quotes capture some of the aims of the referendum, then considering the varied attitudes of the general population, what would happen to the ideology of strengthening the relationship between Indigenous and non Indigenous if the referendum were not successful? What would be the ramifications of that, both short and long term?

Remember, it was only in 1967 that the referendum to NOT exclude the indigenous from the Constitution took place. Many of those voters from that day are still alive today, and it is clear that we have not come far enough yet to take more steps forward. 50 odd years seems like a long time, but this is a generational change - a change that will take the population a long time to adjust to. It is fine telling people how they SHOULD think and what attitudes they SHOULD have, but ingrained attitudes are a generationally learned behaviour.

Already in this thread the issue of fear mongering has been raised "i.e "they " will steal our back yards"...

Not all people will really understand what this referendum will mean, nor will they really research what it would mean, and make their choices based on what they innately believe and grasp at anything "fed" to them which supports this belief.

I think Australia has a long way to go before we can be confident in a double majority referendum. I think holding a referendum now, with current attitudes etc, may well risk a failed referendum and critically damage any hope of long term reconciliation.

Constitutional Recognition

I know it is not ideal YET, but at least we have moved on from the times and attitudes when our Indigenous people, the true historians and owners of our country were specifically Excluded from our Constitution.

[izabsmiling]

I think it should happen when it's most likely to succeed .If it doesn't succeed that could be very destructive.I do feel that it may be more likely to succeed when we (as a Country) prepared to accept the words of an Indigenous Australian and look at history and say 'yes it is racially offensive to refer to an Indigenous Australian as an ape".Telling him it's not or shouldn't be indicates we (as a Country) may not be ready 

[izabsmiling]

thinking on the media coverage...perhaps the more common and accepted as the norm it becomes that someone is pulled up on it the less attention the media will give it ?

[cueperkins]

Right so you'll defend vehemently their right to be protected from names that portray them as less than human, (whether racially motivated or not), but recognising them as any kind of equal under our constitution is right out?  How is one brand of discrimination different from the next?

Why does it matter when we're all ready to deal with it?  Indigenous people have been waiting forever and while you patronise the culture over a word, you disrespect them with your dismissal of any recognition of that same culture.  How does that work exactly?

If you want to defend the Indigenous people via your outrage, then give them the recognition they need to shake off two centuries of systemic discrimination.

If a referendum happens and Indigenous people are not recognised, then I reckon we can put to rest the concept of discrimination. In that scenario it could be seen as systemic and Australia's level of discrimination could be quantified definitively.

If a majority vote for it, then that too would put it to rest once and for all, and once again quantify the lack of discrimination in the outcome.

I find all this outrage over a word, a tad patronising in the face of the real struggle.  JMO.

[izabsmiling]

If you are speaking to me Cue,I don't accept any form of discrimination .

[cueperkins]

na...not speaking to you....but I am now....lol

can't refer to some posters by name or you get zapped....know what I mean?