Anthony,
you don't know me. I am a kind, law-abiding, respectable, intelligent, strong person. I do not feel inferior or feel that others have more power over me than I do. I am comfortable in myself as an Indigenous woman, a grandmother. Feminism doesn't make a lot of sense to me as I have never felt inferior or superior to a male, even if they think I should. Equal but different is how I see the gender (and race) issue. My husband and I own our own home and cars, nothing flash but we owe nothing. Don't try to convince yourself that because I disagree with you I have some sort of axe to grind. I just disagree with your dodgy assertions.

Your attempt at high-brow discussion on racism does not take into account that by year 2 an Indigenous child internalises that they are expected to be inferior, with lesser expectations for success and more negative stereotypes to contend with. Try using your random assertions to a kid in year 2. (No this did not happen to me, so no psychobabble please). Try telling a kid going into year 11 that black kids don't do physics in that school - simply because.

Anthony, I think you are trolling with this piece to try to gain approval in the mainstream society you cherish. You use assertions instead of proof. I would like to see what proof you have to back up your stance.


Tony,
for some, the racism of low expectations has kept Aboriginals IN the ghettos where racist policies placed them , at the margins of society.

Namaste,
your main thrust seems to be that the word racism/racist offends some people.

Individual,
the victim card does not suit you.

Good post Aka, You are truly an inspiration sister and I pay homage to your knowledge and warm heart. I just don't have the strength at the moment (or indeed the inclination) to unpack and repack Dr Dillon's delusions, unsupported assertions, twisted contrarian logic, and tap dancing back slapping overtures to white supremacy. This is a man who hangs out with the nutters at the Bennelong society. Kind of sez it all really. I think we've provided more than enough time and effort with him here. “Radicals” like Charlie Perkins and Kevin Gilbert, Mum Shirl and many others (including many non Indigenous people) did not protest against (and then pragmatically negotiate) with the forces of institutional racism and policies in education and other avenues so that people like Dr Dillon can come along (and benefit) - but then churlishly condemn their legacy “against racism” as being ‘extremist’ and wrongheaded and unfounded. He has no shame, just lots of front. Let him stew in his own poo.

Tony Lavis.
Why bring up the Holocaust? I was born in 1967 in Victoria and I'm neither Jewish nor German, so why would I have an opinion one way or another?
Actually that's a rhetorical question, the Holocaust is supposed to intimidate me and make me think of the consequences of "Hate speech", ie it's meant to shut me up.

Oh while we're at it the Boer and White South African Genocide continues apace, nine "Farm murders" in january alone.
Funny how there was no accusation of Genocide in South Africa under this "Racist" Apartheid system but now in the Anti Racist Rainbow nation we have such a level of murder and mayhem being directed at Whites that even the European Parliament is starting to take notice.
Genocide Watch has upgraded it's alert to stage six, preparation for acts of Genocide:
http://afrikanerjournal.wordpress.com/2011/08/21/genocide-watch-upgrades-afrikaner-genocide-to-stage-6/

Then again the basic anti Racist position is "Two wrongs DO make a right" as long as White children are on the receiving end of the violence.

the victim card does not suit you.
Aka,
I'm not playing it but you seem to grasp the feigned indignation card rather tightly.
Let's be brutally honest here and exercise some integrity.
It is so much easier to play the perpetual victim than to admit that so many bend over backwards to make things better. Sadly, too many prefer picking at near healed wounds because claiming victimhood translates directly into continued charity.

Anthony writes:

"Further to the view promoted by some activists that people who identify as Aboriginal are culturally different, spiritually different and have a distinctly different view of the world to non-Aboriginal Austalians..."

Well, yes they do....and if they seek to take part in mainstream consumer society on an equal footing, they will likely be required to shed their particular spiritual and kinship values.

Mainstream Western societal machinations are predicated on the consumerist values of competition, greed and individuality - which, it would appear, are antithetical to indigenous values the world over.

Follow this link: http://esvc000200.wic061u.server-web.com/lrq/archives/200008/stories/col_dillon.html

Here is a Dillon worth listening to and was once AUSTRALIA’S highest-ranking Indigenous police officer. Col declared (and continues to attest) that racism was well entrenched within the upper levels of the Queensland Police Service. Col, in explaining his experience in the force stated that:
“'I experienced the dread spectre of racism from the day I entered the police force in 1965 until this year, when I left the force' (Col Dillon, 2000. Land Rights News)
But according to the logic (?) of Dr Anthony Dillon, Col imagined it all or is simply adopting a victim mentality. I’m proud to call Col my brother and mentor over the years. He’s as tough as nails and does not call a shovel a spade.

So too for Uncle Graham Dillon, much loved and admired Elder of the Kombumerri people, strong salt water mob, like my own