Dear Aka
My name is Blair Bartholomew, hence blairbar. Any regular readers of the blog know this.
"I am a little taken aback that merely by stating a point of view that differes (sic) from yours, you have taken it a personal slight. I had assumed that I had an implied right to put forward my point of view"
This Forum is designed to encourage persons with different points of view to express their opinions but you have decided to go down the abuse trail. Any person who disagrees with your views is immediately labelled eg "I suggest that when non-Indigenous Australians learn how to unpick their superiority and xenophobia". So we have xenophobic superior non-Indigenous Australians.
"if, in exercising my implied rights to have a different opinion to yours, my comments offended you."
All you have offended Aka are people out in blog land who are interested in well reasoned argument and rational discussion, not immature abuse. The ball is in your court.

"The responsibility of all Aborigines, particularly the younger generation, is to join the broader population and embrace the 21st century."

And the responsibility of the author or this article is to inform himself of the facts relating to the reasons that impede Aboriginal people from embracing anything. What an ignorant man. What a waste of time

Blairbar,
I love your humour, when I read your post I laughed for ages.
You are so serious.
I sign on as Aka, it means grandmother.
Keep up the satire - it is hilarious.

I am saddened when Rainer makes comments such as he has. I wonder what those indigenous people who have put their shoulders to the proverbial wheel and have done something with their lives think when they see his opinions expressed in such a negative fashion. My heart really blleds for him.

David

Western language: Torres Strait Islands
Ama: Mother
Aka: Grandmother
Dudu: Great grandmother.
My mother-in-law is a dudu from Saibai.

I had never heard about Aboriginals before moving to Australia but certainly have it shoved down my throat far too often to my liking. As a CONSTITUTIONALIST I am too aware that the Aboriginals themselves wanted to be discriminated against when they pursued the successful 1967 referendum regarding Section 51(xxvi) to be a "coloured inferior race" (as the Framers of the Constitution referred to) rather then to remain equal to other Australians as was provided for by the Framers of the Constitution.
I oppose racial discrimination but have to accept the choice of the Aboriginals wanting to be discriminated against. Then again how many people really understand the 1967 referendum condemned Aboriginals rather then it being in their interest?
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If I had my way Aboriginals are to be equal to all Australians and forget about special rights also. Education, health, etc, should be equal for all regardless of race, religion, colour of skin, etc.
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Huge amount of monies are being spend on Aboriginals and yet somehow it disappears with little to show for. Mining companies pays them royalties and where is this going?
The unconstitutional NT intervention also did little.
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We all, including Aboriginals must work on the basis we are all equal and stop squandering money and concentrate of providing appropriate facilities to all Australians including non-Aboriginals and we all be better off.