Dear Joe (Loudmouth),

Thanks for that.

How do you change these mind-sets, including
our own about the Aboriginal people?

We now know a great deal about the problems that
confront them and us - but knowing brings burdens
which can be shirked by those living in ignorance.
With knowledge the question is no longer what we
know - but what we are now to do, and that's a much
harder matter to deal with.

It will continue to perplex us for many years to come.

Hi Lexi,

Yes, you're right, but I've always perceived (perhaps mis-perceived) self-determination as meaning, right from the outset, that people have to grapple with their own issues, themselves, that ultimately the Aboriginal people have to solve their own problems, and genuinely self-determine - within the bounds of what is possible - what they need to do, and therefore to find a way through the thicket of problems that have arisen over the last forty years when people DIDN'T think they had to solve their own problems, they had been wronged so whites should fix it all up.

Maybe I'm getting old and grumpy like one of those old f@rts on The Muppets, but given that Aboriginal people are as intelligent as anybody else, and the undeniable fact that their problems are THEIR problems, then in the first instance they should be the people who step up to resolve THEIR own problems.

How to persuade people of that, when it is all so easy to blame colonialism, whites, myths of all sorts like 'Stolen Generation', 'Terra Nullius', missionaries' stopping culture etc., etc., and not have to do anything about THEIR predicament.

Love,

Joe

On the other hand, there's this sort of story:

http://www.news.com.au/national-news/aboriginal-pastoralist-frank-shadforth-says-australia-is-the-grip-of-a-national-alcohol-crisis/story-fncynjr2-1226593854348

People make choices, more or less. People are not puppets, or sheep.

It is my view we are neglecting some problems here.
First the problem is not linked to the amount of money thrown at it.
It is far different for small town, mission type folk than some city based ones.
And is not helped by those who do not under stand it.
Daniele may have, in fact does have a point.
Do we understand a culture has grown, not in any way related to the one these folk had, that see,s a people full of deep social problems.
From just shyness to full on not wanting contact out side the community.
I am not the product of unwed parents!
But we should look at integration, while respecting the true culture and right to pursue it these folk need.
A system, based on a National one, for all unemployed, that sees and end to all unemployment benefits!
Replaces it with a job, fairly paid, job,with community benefits.
A job that takes no ones existing job, even stands alone .
We should make room for education and training in that plan, and include all the work needed in those missions community's to get them cleaned up.
I would hope, those who want it, or can be talked in to it, stay in education and get paid, to get to the level loudmouth talks about.
I see some posts bitter, and that mirrors the truth, on both sides, some are bigots, the few lucky for us.
I ask this, what are governments for.
If not to make life and living conditions better, why too do we continue to fail?
Some may think we set out to fail, to leave the problem to fester in the bush, to our shame.

And is not helped by those who do not under stand it.
Belly,
You've hit the nail on the head. That is exactly what I've been waffling on about for 30 years. We alway get these short-term career public servants whose only interest is their career & their Super. Insane amounts of money are thrown at what outsiders perceive as a problem yet the problem is the outsiders and, they're the ones getting the money. The blame goes to those who have absolutely no say nor benefit from anything.

Loudmouth,
Much of what Frank Shadforth says is true. Grog is a problem not only in aboriginal communities but else where as well.

I see the carnage and fights because of booze and think why do they not bring back 10 o'clock closing, it is obvious that many cannot handle additional hours of drinking. From what I read there is a lot less violence in the dry aboriginal communities, so why not implement more of that.

Hey I am no wowser, I enjoy a few beers and the socializing, but surely anyone can see that too much of a good thing is killing our society.

I look up to practical blokes like Frank. Bet he runs a successful place as well.