The last 2 posts say it all, rainier is noticed by his/her refusal to answer the above posts.
Still active in another thread that has nothing to do with this subject selling white mans guilt against his people.
Yet NO MAN who claims to be an honest one can ignore the fact by such actions and poor accountability, poor education black racism grows.
One day we shall know this is not a matter for debate or money its a matter for action now.
Sorry? yes I will say sorry! but will the increaseing number of Black racists ever be sorry?
Will those who bash, rape and hurt their own be made to be sorry?
How can anyone claiming to be from this comunity not cry at night at this tragic thing?
Long ago I said sorry my walk across the Sydney harbor spoke of it, I continue every day to be sorry this comunity has too many who do not care.

I think I may be in the minority when I say that I think we should teach indigenous children in a culturally relative way. We did do damage to them, we did take away their culture. I find the claims of them having 'abandoned' their culture to be horridly ridiculous. It was taken, they were forbidden to live that way and if they did they were fair game for settlers in the end. Don't be so naive.

There was an anthropologist, recently deceased and I cannot remember his name right now, who documented his time spent amongst the members of an indigenous community over a number of years, on one of Australia's islands. The marked changes in the community were disturbing for him as the elders lost their hold on the youth and the close-knit community degenerated.

The indigenous people lose more with the passing of each generation as knowledge is no longer passed on. Education *is* the key. Teach the teachers. I might myself be naive. I never had an interest in Australian history or related anthropology until I took up the disciplines at university. Maybe I'm naive to want to use my anthropology background combined with a teaching degree to at least attempt to help.

Do I feel responsible for their current situation? No.
Do I think I can make a difference, even if it's to just one child? Maybe...but that's enough for me.

People are so quick to judge them all because of their social degradation. It's the welfare office who give them too much who cause these problems? No, it's not. Sure, it helps fund the problems, but taking away their income won't solve anything. You think that there's violence and crime now? Wait until you've half starved them to death by taking away the only income they have.

I agree that the indigenous populations have a responsibility to themselves, but I think that white Australians need to stop waiting for the government to do anything other than give monetary hand-outs and think of other ways to help their fellow Australians.

singlemumof1,
I for one do not judge aboriginies for their social degradation. I am concerned for their well being. I certainly would not advocate cutting off their, or anyones, income to make them conform to some imposed regulation.

In an ideal world, it would be nice if aboriginies could retain their culture as it was before 1788, but unfortunatly the world is not ideal. If the present situation continues with alcahol and substance abuse the future will be bleak for them. I cannot see self governance at any future time.

I see no other course but for them to integrate with the general community. I see this as reality. This does not have to mean that all traditions and culture have to be discarded.

If the teaching of culture will assist to get the kids to school, good, as long as they get to school.

Right now the emphathis has to be on child and domestic violence and i would look to the successfull communities for a lead here.

Rainier, off topic
Thanks for pointing out the sub judice matter on the other thread. I did not consider it when posting. I was simply happy that there had been a turn around on the issue and I would not wish to be the cause of something going awry. I do undersatand.

singlemumof1, I think you hit the nail on the head. Neith you or I are responsible for the current plight of the native people of Australia. To say that we have no future responsibility to help is a different matter.

Rainier, I have started reading the links that you posted in the other thread, thankyou. It will take me sometime to get through it - so many other demands!! But now I have some place to start. I am though somewhat frustrated by the aggressive and militant tone of some of the website material on treaty. I stand by my saying of two wrongs dont make a right - the native peoples of Australia need to WANT to be helped for any difference to be made. To carry on with political rhetoric does no one any good. Striking out at the descendants of those that did the harm, does no one any good. Those people that should carry the blame are long dead. We can all help to make a brighter future though, for everyone. My consernation lies with those that carry a chip on their shoulder, for they seem after a time to only want to have their grievance recognised, rather than finding a solution. It is the same for the chronically unemployed (of whatever colour). Its not something that is unique to race, notwithstanding that race can be a trigger.

For my own personal reasons, Australia Day is not a particularly happy day for me, though I do appreciate that I would not be in this wonderful country had British settlement not happened.

Rainier has used another thread to add tohis insults like those above, the Anzac day slur and the wrong idea that I hate Japanese.
I am told I come from a white racist family and have never met an Aboridginal.
Also my concern for those females and children is bunkum! a cover up for my white racist leanings.
This subject is far too important ,far too dreadfull to alowe lies and biggots to devert us from the truth.
No child No woman should be subject to such as this.
Along with racists within the Aboridginal comunty whites MUST take the TOTAL blame and indeed SHAME for this dreadfull shattering thing.
Our police must police, our Courts MUST do the job we expect, our politicians Must act!
And rainier find it in your heart to stop hateing whites who do care more than you want them to.
Minority racism is evil like all racism.