Dear Suse,

Chris Graham has written a very interesting article:

http://newmatilda.com/2015/06/01/not-so-level-playing-field-why-we-love-cathy-freeman-and-hate-adam-goodes

In it Graham tells us that - "while nations like Canada, the
US and New Zealand have signed treaties and made significant
advances with their First Nations People Australia continues to
deny even the most basic things such as land rights."

Graham points out that "we jail black males at a rate up to 8
times worse than South Africa did under Apartheid. We deny
Aboriginal people the right to educate their children in
culturally appropriate ways and we punish them if they resist."

"We restrict their basic entitlements to a social safety net,
we refuse to provide government investment to their
communities and then we blame them for their poverty."

Graham says that "we rail about the 'neglect of Aboriginal
children' and blame the neglected parents of those children who
are trying to raise their kids in 3rd world conditions.
And to this day we remain the only nation on earth with racist
clauses built into our constitution designed specifically to
discriminate against Aboriginal People."

Did you by any chance watch "Q and A," on Monday evening?
There was a panelist - "Uncle Jack," who set the record
straight about the current government's cuts to Aboriginal
Communities - and the dire effect this is going to have.

As Chris Graham reminds us - "We took the children away, we
engineered dire poverty which endures today. We stole
Aboriginal land and Aboriginal wages and we continue to
discriminate against the First Peoples of this land..."

"Third word nations have eradicated trachoma, an eye disease
that blinds children and adults. Australia hasn't. Our
Aboriginal population has the highest recorded ratio of
rheumatic heart disease on earth. A preventable disease
linked to poor living conditions."

And we are reminded that "By every social measure, Aboriginal
and Torres Strait Islanders are the most disadvantaged people
in this nation, and some of the most disadvantaged people
in the world."

O Sung Wu & Foxy,

Yes, 'we' are so powerful, so all-controlling, that 'we' do this, 'we' do that, Aboriginal people are like puppets, they do exactly what 'we' want them to do: 'we' want them to get drunk, they get drunk. 'We' want to jail them in huge numbers after committing offences ('we're such b@stards), so they commit offences. 'We''re so powerful.

I'm sure it's not intended, but this smells of some sort of triumphalist racism. In my experience, Aboriginal people have done what they liked, as much as anyone else and probably a damn sight more. They've seized opportunities. They've had opportunities and spat them out. They've worked hard. They've loafed, not done a day's work in their lives. And everything in between. They please themselves. They're nobody's puppets.

Sorry if that comes as a shock.

Joe

The documentary I referred to also includes the killing and spearing of a large turtle. It was shown very upfront and close - being more visible than what the other link shows. The turtle was left in a boat overnight to die (and suffer) - and then eaten the next day.

One woman was in tears about the matter and very, very upset (she looked shocked) - and she wasn't willing to eat the turtle.

The Aboriginal people (as part of the remote community in the documentary), said undertaking the killing, and leaving it to die overnight, was part of their traditional "culture" and said other nearby commercial fishing operations caused the most damage, so what they did was O.K.

Some Aboriginal people, have advised people who undertake this activity to stop now, as they are killing endangered species, but are often ignored.

The Greens (environment?) say under "aims" (re aboriginal culture) on their website:

"Protection for cultural rights of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, including their right to practise and revitalize their cultural traditions and customs, including language, and to maintain, protect and develop the past, present and future manifestations of their cultures."

Under "principles" (re animal rights) they say however:

"Humans have a duty of care to minimise physical and psychological suffering of animals resulting from human activity."

So to the Greens, are you truly a pro the environment party or not?

Being vegetarian, (and of course I don't eat any sea based animals), I say two wrongs don't make a right.

Sweet Loudy,

Here's a pic - I s'pose these fellas were glad of the "rations" and "opportunities" that they were availed of all those years ago.

http://enewspaper2.thewest.com.au/Repository/getimage.dll?path=WAN/2013/01/23/24/Img/Pc0240500.jpg

Do you ever write about the indigenous people in chains?

Just asking

Poirot,

Yes. If you check out the transcript of the 1904 Roth Royal Commission in WA, and the 1935 Moseley Royal Commission (also in WA), you will find many references, really serious concerns, about chaining of prisoners and witnesses. There was special concern by Dr. Roth in 1904 about the chaining of female witnesses, especially of young females, who were always dreadfully abused on the long journeys into town.

All available in fine detail on my web-site: www.firstsources.info That's what it's for, after all. Read, Poirot, and learn.

Joe

Thank you, Loudmouth,

Strange, though, you continuously wax lyrical on this forum at how good the indigenous had it when white man arrived, that you never seem to mention such things.

But it's nice to know that it's "all on your website".

Perhaps I should have a look.

Or perhaps I should take a leaf out of your book and dismiss your stuff out of hand?

Like this...

"No, life's too short to watch Bilger's rubbish and lies."

As we know, "history" is entirely reliant on its interpretation.