Dear Loudmouth

In previous online and other Forums I've commented about disproportionate levels of sexual violence against women and children of Aboriginal heritage. 'Heritage' as it's difficult for me to reconcile claims of "Aboriginality" when faced with persons having distant Aboriginal ascendants - ie a great-grandparent and all other relatives from another racial group or groups. This gets me into lots of trouble with the politically correct brigade on its own.

When one asserts the commonest perpetrators of this sexual assault (and for that matter, most other violence) are fellow "Aboriginals" then accusations of racism really fly thick and fast.

Jailing of Aboriginals is subject to controversy stirred up by those who believe people of Aboriginal heritage are over-represented in the prison system. Some consider European style incarceration somehow inappropriate. So special concessions should be made? That would be racist indeed! BTW not many "aboriginals" languishing in prison for riding bicycles sans helmuts or crossing roads against red lights. They're there for serious offences.

There's been suggestion non-consenual sexual activity is appropriate in aboriginal cultures where a girl is 'promised' (more culture) to a man she resists. Girls are generally considered 'of age' with first menstruation though this does not always seem to be respected.
I suggest similar stuff happens within some of the delightful 'cultures' we have allowed to be imported into this Nation, those requiring women to be covered completely from sight being of chief concern. Would you dispute this?

Those 'invisible' women would have less voice than the aboriginal girls referred to. Consider - Should a Judge pass a lessor sentence on a man convicted of child rape on basis that in the offenders culture it is acceptable for underage girls (often prepubescent) to be betrothed and he considered the victim his wife? I'd call racism but the PC set would probably waffle on about cultural awareness and sensitivity ....

So Loudmouth - I guess those are my hang-ups. Not racism, feminism, any other isms - just equality in law, decency and standards that apply to all.

Thanks Divine Ms_n,

I would have thought that wearing the veil (60%), the nikab (1%) or even the burqa (0.1%) is a much less serious issue than the rape of women - and under-age girls - in Aboriginal 'communities' (more like ex-communities, once the damage has been done?). In fact, perhaps Aboriginal women and girls could be encouraged to wear the veil and full gown as a strong signal to men to lay off (no pun intended).

I don't think that 'culture' is somehow sacrosanct and beyond criticism, and certainly not if it abuses the weak and breaks the law. Maybe a definition of culture (among the multitude of them) should include reference to power and who defines the nature and utility of women - in both cases, cultural beliefs devalue women in particular and should be actively opposed by anybody who has any respect for their equality and human rights.

Referring to the high incarceration rates of Aboriginal men, perhaps it has something to do with the high offence rates of Aboriginal men. True/false ? Perhaps we shouldn't talk about it because it brings shame ? Stuff it, let's. Why do men commit so many offences ? Is it out of boredom, is it a form of noble resistance to alien domination - or is just a matter of arrogance - 'we can do any f-ing thing we like, it's our country.' Is there a high correlation between Aboriginal male unemployment and offence rates ? Is there also a high correlation between Aboriginal male unemployment and low educational levels ? i.e. the same people may be illiterate or close to it, unemployed AND committing offences ? So why aren't jails being transformed into adult educational institutions and offering literacy courses and training up people in other skills, perhaps to replace the phony TAFE courses that so many are currently enrolled in ?

Joe

Loudmouth

Many thanks for the link to the article A Tale of Two Standards in The Australian.

http://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/opinion/a-tale-of-two-standards/story-e6frg6zo-1225877204907

Now to see where The Stoning of Soraya M is being screened. I wonder if anyone on OLO has seen it yet?

"Now to see where The Stoning of Soraya M is being screened. I wonder if anyone on OLO has seen it yet?"

No Cornflower, but I have read several reviews and it is definately not a 'feel-good' movie. You may leave the theatre saddened and angry about the injustices suffered by women in one of the "cultures" we are tolerating and allowing to flourish within some migrant enclaves.

Recommended viewing for all those who believe we must respect and uphold all the cultural baggage that comes with "New Australians"

Divine Ms_n,

"Recommended viewing for all those who believe we must respect and uphold all the cultural baggage that comes with "New Australians" "

I don't think so ! But it certainly is recommended for anybody who is concerned about human rights, especially those of women. Please don't add to their oppression, give them a fair go. They are not the cause of their own predicament: 'culture' has seen to that and that's what has to be critiqued, as it would be for all cultural practices which oppress the powerless.

Joe

Exactly Loudmouth. They are NOT the cause of their own oppression.

However if you, as an Australian citizen (I presume you are one), uphold the "rights" of Ethnic Pseudo-religious groups that come here to settle and practice cultural traditions which are completely at odds with Australian culture, not to mention fly in the face of our laws - where does that put you in the overall picture?

Are you a proponent of the continued "oppression" of these migrant women and girls? I don't really believe you are, but with one bum cheek planted firmly either side of the fence and an absence of a clearly stated opinion, it's hard to tell.

Perhaps you are a Politician?