The Necessity of Reparation for Historic Injustices
Jelly Flater wrote:Let’s not get too carried away ay ;)
- plenty of vote noahs out there still seeking purpose in life…
I mean this guy has to be burley right? Whoever he is he's an excellent example of rightwing sensibility... very balanced individual
harrycoopr wrote:Jelly Flater wrote:Let’s not get too carried away ay ;)
- plenty of vote noahs out there still seeking purpose in life…I mean this guy has to be burley right? Whoever he is he's an excellent example of rightwing sensibility... very balanced individual
You saw the yes campaigner spit on someone right? How low can you go?
burleigh wrote:harrycoopr wrote:Jelly Flater wrote:Let’s not get too carried away ay ;)
- plenty of vote noahs out there still seeking purpose in life…I mean this guy has to be burley right? Whoever he is he's an excellent example of rightwing sensibility... very balanced individual
You saw the yes campaigner spit on someone right? How low can you go?
Should've shat on 'em
harrycoopr wrote:burleigh wrote:harrycoopr wrote:Jelly Flater wrote:Let’s not get too carried away ay ;)
- plenty of vote noahs out there still seeking purpose in life…I mean this guy has to be burley right? Whoever he is he's an excellent example of rightwing sensibility... very balanced individual
You saw the yes campaigner spit on someone right? How low can you go?
Should've shat on 'em
Even though you’re a deadset wanker. I did laugh out loud when I read this
https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2023/sep/20/indigenous-voice-.... Coalition frontbencher condemns anti-voice rallies as ‘shameless’ attempt to push ‘extreme causes’ A senior Coalition frontbencher has warned fellow no voters against attending anti-voice rallies promoted by a pro-Kremlin activist, arguing the events are a “shameless” attempt to push “wacky and extreme causes”.
So sameaswas this rally you’re attending, these guys are your mob , yeah ? thought as much .
burleigh wrote:harrycoopr wrote:burleigh wrote:harrycoopr wrote:Jelly Flater wrote:Let’s not get too carried away ay ;)
- plenty of vote noahs out there still seeking purpose in life…I mean this guy has to be burley right? Whoever he is he's an excellent example of rightwing sensibility... very balanced individual
You saw the yes campaigner spit on someone right? How low can you go?
Should've shat on 'em
Even though you’re a deadset wanker. I did laugh out loud when I read this
Thought u might... and why deadset wanker? Cos i call out the cruelty of the right? The lies and deceptions? The racism or unconscious discrimination stemming from colonial/imperial mindset... for trying to enlighten u burley?? Call me that again and I'll shit on u pal
Haha ;)
Shooter mcgavin… spokesman for the vote noahs
https://m.
&pp=ygUaaSBlYXQgcGllY2VzIGhhcHB5IGdpbG1vcmU%3D Shooter the pants shitter
https://m.
Supafreak wrote:https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2023/sep/20/indigenous-voice-.... Coalition frontbencher condemns anti-voice rallies as ‘shameless’ attempt to push ‘extreme causes’ A senior Coalition frontbencher has warned fellow no voters against attending anti-voice rallies promoted by a pro-Kremlin activist, arguing the events are a “shameless” attempt to push “wacky and extreme causes”.
Honestly as a No voter, im a little worried about these rallies, much of the media is likely to somehow paint it in a negative light and even if some group of crazy activist turn up and there is conflict, its unlikely those activist causing the conflict will be seen as the bad guys.
I dont trust the media, i didn't support the freedom rallies, but the media most of the time unfairly painted them in a bad light even when peaceful and then the Women rights rally was painted in an even worst light when others from both far left and fart right crashed it.
Only good that can come out of this rally is if the media actually show a number of Aboriginal sovereign citizens speakers etc to show people an aspect that they might not have seen and help show that not all aboriginal people support the voice.
I doubt rallies really convince anyone to vote one way or another, Id much prefer no voters stayed at home, better to talk to family and friends and just bring it up in casual conversation and encourage them to take a look at what these activist really want.
harrycoopr wrote:burleigh wrote:harrycoopr wrote:burleigh wrote:harrycoopr wrote:Jelly Flater wrote:Let’s not get too carried away ay ;)
- plenty of vote noahs out there still seeking purpose in life…I mean this guy has to be burley right? Whoever he is he's an excellent example of rightwing sensibility... very balanced individual
You saw the yes campaigner spit on someone right? How low can you go?
Should've shat on 'em
Even though you’re a deadset wanker. I did laugh out loud when I read this
Thought u might... and why deadset wanker? Cos i call out the cruelty of the right? The lies and deceptions? The racism or unconscious discrimination stemming from colonial/imperial mindset... for trying to enlighten u burley?? Call me that again and I'll shit on u pal
You're a deadset wanker xoxoxoxo
best get your grifter media mates to do real time streaming, ooops, I mean heavily edited content, just like during the good ole covid freedumb rallies then @info. Where’s Avi been lately anyways, you haven’t been singing his praises for months it seems
indo-dreaming wrote:Supafreak wrote:https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2023/sep/20/indigenous-voice-.... Coalition frontbencher condemns anti-voice rallies as ‘shameless’ attempt to push ‘extreme causes’ A senior Coalition frontbencher has warned fellow no voters against attending anti-voice rallies promoted by a pro-Kremlin activist, arguing the events are a “shameless” attempt to push “wacky and extreme causes”.
Honestly as a No voter, im a little worried about these rallies, much of the media is likely to somehow paint it in a negative light and even if some group of crazy activist turn up and there is conflict, its unlikely those activist causing the conflict will be seen as the bad guys.
I dont trust the media, i didn't support the freedom rallies, but the media most of the time unfairly painted them in a bad light even when peaceful and then the Women rights rally was painted in an even worst light when others from both far left and fart right crashed it.
Only good that can come out of this rally is if the media actually show a number of Aboriginal sovereign citizens speakers etc to show people an aspect that they might not have seen and help show that not all aboriginal people support the voice.
I doubt rallies really convince anyone to vote one way or another, Id much prefer no voters stayed at home, better to talk to family and friends and just bring it up in casual conversation and encourage them to take a look at what these activist really want.
@indo. You do realise that some of the sovereign citizen speakers you mentioned are the same that were found guilty of setting fire to old parliament house and using stand over tactics to women who run the tent embassy at parliament house , they do not have the support of the overwhelming majority of aboriginal elders even the ones in their own community. Duckduckgo or google shillingsworth jr and snr and see what comes up . Fark me they have an impressive cv .
GuySmiley wrote:best get your grifter media mates to do real time streaming, ooops, I mean heavily edited content, just like during the good ole covid freedumb rallies then @info. Where’s Avi been lately anyways, you haven’t been singing his praises for months it seems
Pretty hard to edit a live stream like Rukshan did. I guess you didnt watch what went down and only like the condensed versions.
@burleigh , did you see rukshan’s live stream of the yes rallies ? No ? Neither did I . Funny that .
sameaswas wrote:harrycoopr wrote:sameaswas wrote:harrycoopr wrote:Had a nice surf... thought I'd check the day's offerings on here. Damn, still going in circles. Pointless engaging people who can't see reason... Well at least they understand now how the Constitution was written in the time of the White Australia Policy... how in '67 we voted in a ref to allow Aboriginal people to be counted as citizens and how, regardless of this refs outcome, the No boys on here will support the claims for Treaty and changing Australia Day.
harry you are wrong the 67 reffo was to give aborigines the right to vote and ergo by that fact they are recognised in the constitution.
Sorry mate yr wrong...
https://aiatsis.gov.au/explore/1967-referendumi am old enuf to remember my parents being aghast when on our b.w. tv the reffo ad came on and they did'nt realise that abos could'nt vote in oz, we only been here 3mnths or so and i can remember the jubilation when over 90% of ppl voted yes and they and everybody else went out to celebrate in pub, footy clubs, rsl and working mens clubs...no bull, actually gettin emotional recalling it, happy days
it had nothing to do with the census, that is propaganda lies,
Another day and another offensive slur from the racist redneck dumbshit.
Stu and Ben, i see you've both been on this thread today, yet this doesn't raise an eyebrow???
This commenter has a history of using derogatory terms to describe people of colour. Disappointing to see nobody pulled this shit up. To partake in a thread in which people are using language like this is to be complicit in allowing it's use.
Oh and for sameaswas you dirty racist turd....here's an explanation for you...but i'm sure you already knew that. I hope the rainbow serpent finds you in your nightmares.
USAGE NOTE FOR ABO
Since Abo is simply a shortened form of Aborigine or Aboriginal, one could easily think that it is as neutral and inoffensive a term as Aussie is for an Australian. However, Abo is as highly offensive to Australian Aboriginal people as nigger is to African Americans in the United States.
https://www.dictionary.com/browse/abo
@SR , when I read his comment I couldn’t believe he just blurted it out , I then thought about it and came to the conclusion that he’s a product of his environment and upbringing. Everyone has a story , this doesn’t excuse him , it’s just a sad case of ignorance . I doubt he would be willing to change.
Supafreak wrote:indo-dreaming wrote:Supafreak wrote:https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2023/sep/20/indigenous-voice-.... Coalition frontbencher condemns anti-voice rallies as ‘shameless’ attempt to push ‘extreme causes’ A senior Coalition frontbencher has warned fellow no voters against attending anti-voice rallies promoted by a pro-Kremlin activist, arguing the events are a “shameless” attempt to push “wacky and extreme causes”.
Honestly as a No voter, im a little worried about these rallies, much of the media is likely to somehow paint it in a negative light and even if some group of crazy activist turn up and there is conflict, its unlikely those activist causing the conflict will be seen as the bad guys.
I dont trust the media, i didn't support the freedom rallies, but the media most of the time unfairly painted them in a bad light even when peaceful and then the Women rights rally was painted in an even worst light when others from both far left and fart right crashed it.
Only good that can come out of this rally is if the media actually show a number of Aboriginal sovereign citizens speakers etc to show people an aspect that they might not have seen and help show that not all aboriginal people support the voice.
I doubt rallies really convince anyone to vote one way or another, Id much prefer no voters stayed at home, better to talk to family and friends and just bring it up in casual conversation and encourage them to take a look at what these activist really want.
@indo. You do realise that some of the sovereign citizen speakers you mentioned are the same that were found guilty of setting fire to old parliament house and using stand over tactics to women who run the tent embassy at parliament house , they do not have the support of the overwhelming majority of aboriginal elders even the ones in their own community. Duckduckgo or google shillingsworth jr and snr and see what comes up . Fark me they have an impressive cv .
Yeah i know who they are and what they are about, i still think its good for people to be exposed to their views and see that not all Aboriginal people agree and that there is a diverse range of different viewpoint's among Aboriginal people.
@indo , fark me you must be desperate to look to them for supporting your case . Arsonist , child abuser , stand over man .
Supafreak wrote:@indo , fark me you must be desperate to look to them for supporting your case . Arsonist , child abuser , stand over man .
Stand over man? Hahahaha
southernraw wrote:sameaswas wrote:harrycoopr wrote:sameaswas wrote:harrycoopr wrote:Had a nice surf... thought I'd check the day's offerings on here. Damn, still going in circles. Pointless engaging people who can't see reason... Well at least they understand now how the Constitution was written in the time of the White Australia Policy... how in '67 we voted in a ref to allow Aboriginal people to be counted as citizens and how, regardless of this refs outcome, the No boys on here will support the claims for Treaty and changing Australia Day.
harry you are wrong the 67 reffo was to give aborigines the right to vote and ergo by that fact they are recognised in the constitution.
Sorry mate yr wrong...
https://aiatsis.gov.au/explore/1967-referendumi am old enuf to remember my parents being aghast when on our b.w. tv the reffo ad came on and they did'nt realise that abos could'nt vote in oz, we only been here 3mnths or so and i can remember the jubilation when over 90% of ppl voted yes and they and everybody else went out to celebrate in pub, footy clubs, rsl and working mens clubs...no bull, actually gettin emotional recalling it, happy days
it had nothing to do with the census, that is propaganda lies,
Another day and another offensive slur from the racist redneck dumbshit.
Stu and Ben, i see you've both been on this thread today, yet this doesn't raise an eyebrow???
This commenter has a history of using derogatory terms to describe people of colour. Disappointing to see nobody pulled this shit up. To partake in a thread in which people are using language like this is to be complicit in allowing it's use.
Oh and for sameaswas you dirty racist turd....here's an explanation for you...but i'm sure you already knew that. I hope the rainbow serpent finds you in your nightmares.USAGE NOTE FOR ABO
Since Abo is simply a shortened form of Aborigine or Aboriginal, one could easily think that it is as neutral and inoffensive a term as Aussie is for an Australian. However, Abo is as highly offensive to Australian Aboriginal people as nigger is to African Americans in the United States.
https://www.dictionary.com/browse/abo
I thought he was being ironic SR if thats the right term. But he is wrong on the facts... like most of the No boys on here
burleigh wrote:Supafreak wrote:@indo , fark me you must be desperate to look to them for supporting your case . Arsonist , child abuser , stand over man .
Stand over man? Hahahaha
@burleigh , maybe you can get your mate to ask the women at the tent embassy what they think of shillingsworth snr
Supafreak wrote:@indo , fark me you must be desperate to look to them for supporting your case . Arsonist , child abuser , stand over man .
You seem to be missing my point, its not about whether i agree with their logic or character, but like i said, the only good thing i can see coming out of this rally is diversity of Aboriginal views being exposed to the public.
Like i said id much prefer they and other No voters stay at home.
BTW. Not sure if Snr has always been that way he use to be respected for his work over water rights and of course his art.
He became a “ lore “ unto himself
Message from the King & Queen : "Century to Blue Diamond...well played on a sticky wicket Sir!"
Had a chat with lady attending 100th birthday...
Said the Centurian Lady was devo about no message from Ye Olde Queen.
Apparently Aussies can summon new Queen & King to keep up Mummy's Tradition.
https://www.royal.uk/sites/default/files/documents/2023-06/NEW%20Birthda...
@burleigh , I know you love instagram, in this article if you can’t be bothered reading it at least scroll down to the instagram feed and although the footage is quick and only a few photos ( the woman explains why ) there are plenty of comments. https://www.smh.com.au/national/act/protesters-condemned-by-first-nation... ”It was intimidating as a young woman to have six men confront me. They scared me the way they threatened to ‘take me’ and to deal with us in ‘tribal ways’,” Ms House – a domestic violence survivor – told The Age and The Sydney Morning Herald this week.
One concession I will give the No camp is that the ref should've taken longer to occur up to the vote so that everyone could get up to speed and that it would have bipartisan support as there could be no opposition to it... clear up any lingering confusions. That said, of course Aboriginal people should be recognised in the country's Constitution as the original occupants AND allowed to have an ADVISORY body to parliament, however that may shape up and operate. Knowing something of blackfella politics it could take a while before it gets going with everyone on the same page. But like I said before YES keeps possibilities open... No just shuts it down until next time. "If not now when"? If not now... next time will come.
Yeah i hear ya SF and Harry. No offence to you blokes, and apologies if it came across that way.... just blatant racism makes my blood boil, especially in these fun times.
Obviously he's a troll, he's not as uneducated as he pretends to be.
Wow, 100 pages of this shit and still feels like we've gone backwards 10 steps from when it began.
Some ugly ugly stuff getting around at the moment, and i'm feeling embarassed to be an Australian.
As for the ones that get offended by the number of welcome to countries specifically at sporting events...it must be tiring getting reminded you're living on stolen land. Small price to pay for your white privilege i would have thought.
southernraw wrote:As for the ones that get offended by the number of welcome to countries specifically at sporting events...it must be tiring getting reminded you're living on stolen land. Small price to pay for your white privilege i would have thought.
No surprise here, but you just don’t get it.
burleigh wrote:southernraw wrote:As for the ones that get offended by the number of welcome to countries specifically at sporting events...it must be tiring getting reminded you're living on stolen land. Small price to pay for your white privilege i would have thought.
No surprise here, but you just don’t get it.
Speaking of trolls..the guy that admitted yesterday he thrives on the conflict he finds here. Not really here for any actual deep conversations. Just trolling.
Don't get what?
I enjoy the welcome to countries. In a country where life is pretty free and easy, we get free sport on t.v, all we have to do is sit on our white arses, with no real threat to our existence, and we get to learn a bit about the local mob as they promote inclusiveness to their region, what is it i'm not getting Burleigh. Enlighten me.
USAGE NOTE FOR ABO
Since Abo is simply a shortened form of Aborigine or Aboriginal, one could easily think that it is as neutral and inoffensive a term as Aussie is for an Australian. However, Abo is as highly offensive to Australian Aboriginal people as nigger is to African Americans in the United States.
https://www.dictionary.com/browse/abo
If its shortened to AB ...is that O.K. ?
Why be a dick about it Udo?
.
Austudy - Abstudy
Wow. Slow clap for finding your own little loophole.
Hope that brought you all the joy you thought it would.
So what are your thoughts on the language used by sameaswas, since you entered the discussion??
And do you understand why it's considered derogatory??
I'm baffled that people couldn't know why, and i'm sure you would Udo.
udo wrote:Austudy - Abstudy
haha
always thought this sounded a little coarse
there's a pun in there somewhere
and as to welcome ceremonies etc...
I think they are actually well suited to big sporting events, especially afl
the problem lies in corporate capitalisation of such things and when they start popping up everywhere... or everyday!
catch a couple of qantas connecting qantas flights in one day and it feels quite nauseating, i want to rip a speaker out and shove it up alan joyce's...
listening and watching to abc has become quite painful too, its all just a bit over the top, now so mandatory and arbitrary its frivilous. its funny, my mate who's a big voice adocate, actually said this to me well before I even mentioned it
the old adage of 'less is more' has never been understood by the corporate dogs
a welcoming ceremony should be special - there's only one way to maintain that...
all this over the top-ness just gives clowns like sam newman the bullets and attention he so perversely craves
Best welcome to country ceremonies I’ve been to have been small, have been conducted by locals with connection to the area, and have been educational without being condescending or over the top.
udo wrote:USAGE NOTE FOR ABO
Since Abo is simply a shortened form of Aborigine or Aboriginal, one could easily think that it is as neutral and inoffensive a term as Aussie is for an Australian. However, Abo is as highly offensive to Australian Aboriginal people as nigger is to African Americans in the United States.
https://www.dictionary.com/browse/abo
If its shortened to AB ...is that O.K. ?
I wonder why it is viewed so bad, i guess its because of how it was often used in the past by some in a negative way, but it was also used in a non negative way.
I do have to say it makes me feel uncomfortable seeing or hearing someone use it.
Actually a few months back i was sitting down with a client having a cup of tea, a couple in their 60s, in no way rough, well educated fairly well off actually, and we were talking fishing and they were both telling a story of barra fishing in NT, and she kept using the word in a totally non negative way, but it still made me feel real uncomfortable i even felt like saying you know these days you shouldn't use that word its kinda offensive, but i also didn't want to offend my client..
I think he picked up on it as never used the word and always used Aboriginal, but it seemed like she had no idea at all it was offensive.
@ Indo,
Hi Indo,
I agree with your sentiments on this occasion.
Seems like is a topic that's got to be had, to a point! Because it is offensive to Aboriginal people and I also feel uncomfortable when people use it, but I always call them out saying they've overstepped the mark.
Its 2023 FFS! Of course they know its offensive but these people don't give a shit. People are ignorant and blindly step into the fold of complacency when it suits their selfish needs, turns me right off actually. Thanks for saying that, Vote Yes! cheers
I read the comment and, like ID, thought it was coarse, wouldn't be something I'd say myself, but didn't think too much about it. Live and let live, and all that.
Reading about it this morning is both illuminating and shows how much of a minefield language can be, particularly when words become loaded, as that one has. A few online sources say that it wasn't always derogatory but became that way when it was attached to racist attitudes.
Same word, different connotations.
Similar to the US experience I guess - and which I've mentioned before - like how 'colour' was offensive but is now an accepted descriptor ('person of colour'), and how 'Negro' was acceptable but now isn't.
It's a friggen minefield, especially for suburban folk who have few exchanges with FNP, and I can understand why some people rely on the intent clause - i.e the word doesn't matter, but the intent behind it does. I tend to lean that way myself but figure it's always good to learn, and anyway, here in Australia we don't have to dip far into our past to hear words used with rotten intent, so perhaps you can understand why the recipients shudder when they hear them in another scenario.
It may be naive but I long for the day when we can play with language in jest and any attached baggage is so far in the rearview mirror of history as to lose all its sting. Convicts, bogans, wogs, poms, rangas, abos - have I left anyone out? - all the colours of modern Australia.
Unfortunately we're not there yet so, save the ironic use above, I reckon it's best to refrain from it.
Thanks for that Stu. Good way of looking at it. Appreciate the thoughtful read on it.
Good post's by all this morning and agree with all the comments.
Syp, i agree on the Qantasfication of it etc. It devalues it and ties it to corporate interests and doesn't speak of very pure intentions. Maybe i'm wrong.
I don't watch much t.v anymore but flicked it on the other day and the amount of campaigning going on...i can see why it's grinding some peoples gears.
Almost makes you think it's structured to intentionally make people feel that.
Was this thing set up to fail from the start?
With such a long lead in and a chance to really get people divided... Makes one wonder.
Anyway, have a good day all.
truebluebasher wrote:Message from the King & Queen : "Century to Blue Diamond...well played on a sticky wicket Sir!"
Had a chat with lady attending 100th birthday...
Said the Centurian Lady was devo about no message from Ye Olde Queen.Apparently Aussies can summon new Queen & King to keep up Mummy's Tradition.
https://www.royal.uk/sites/default/files/documents/2023-06/NEW%20Birthda...
Hahaha. A sticky wet. Gold TBB. Cheers!
100th celebrations continue...You're Welcome!
Within Tribes runners with invitation message sticks were permitted entry
Sacred Sites require purification of uninitiated visitor so not to curse the local mob.
Depending how dangerous, pure or sacred the site or knowledge bank...
Just visiting / Entry / Talks is via a code or purification in the form of Welcome to Country.
Decontamination is for all outsiders via Smoking, casting sand or by bathing ceremony.
Many areas are off limits to viewing or visiting & require cleansing, debrief or secret oaths.
Wildlife Island Sanctuaries > Heard Is / Carnac Island / Cartier Island / Albatross Is / Dorre Is / Heart Is.
Wildlife Conservation > Point Nepean / Elliot Price Park
Dreamtime Caves
Sacred Islands > Wadjemup
Sacred Lands > Arnhem Land / Kakadu / Blue Hole / Kurtonitj
Sacred Monoliths > Uluru / Ikara-Wilpena
Sacred Lakes > Mungo-Mungo (Womens) Blue Hole + 'Ti' Tree Lakes
Waterfalls / Holes > Creation Stories
Sacred Mountains > Uluru, Tibrogargan, Beerwah,Coonowrin / Gariwerd / Kalkajaka / Wollumbin
Sacred Gorges > Bandilngan-Windjana
Military Secrets > Pine Gap / Swan Island / Woomera
Contaminated Sites > Wittenoom
Cubbie House > Stag Nights > Grand Pooh Bah Secret Handshake Chamber
Slumber Parties > Hens dos > CWA Scones Bake Off
https://www.loveexploring.com/gallerylist/91619/places-you-cant-visit-in...
1973 First recorded Welcome to Country was at Nimbin to allow uninitiated to enter Aquarius Festival.
1981 Bill Hayden was permitted entry to US Secret Knowledge Compound.
Past & New fees set by (Nat Assoc' Visual Arts)
Welcome to Country Prices...
Hi = Was $150 now $300
Welcome = $400 now $750
Smoking = $300 now $600 (Cleanse Evil Spirits)
Dance / Clap / Didgeridoo = $ 750 now $1,000
Elder = $800 now $1500
Mob = (Corps) $2,500 now $3,500
Peoples = (Govt ) $5,000 now $10,000
Year = (Govt Welcomes) $45,000 > ( Likely to double also)
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-12403329/Government-spent-45-00...
Supafreak wrote:
dangerously stupid post Supa. Don't go down this path
Supafreak wrote:
The same people walking for yes are the same ones that changed their profile picture to say fully vaccinated, then changed it again to "i stand with ukraine"
See where this is going Supa?
Uni assignment i did a few years ago. This is my take on things. I'm sure this will ruffle many feathers. I hope so.
Love Blue Diamond x
The Necessity of Reparation for Historic Injustices
Introduction – Compensatory Justice
Disparities between the standards of living of humans on this planet have long been a part of our history on this planet. From the wealthy nations of the West to the developing and undeveloped nations on this globe, the diversity in the quality of life when viewed from a moral standpoint are without a doubt grossly unfair.
In this paper I will look at why historic injustices do require some form of reparation. I take a strong stance that we are more obliged to solve current injustices than to provide reparation for every act of injustice in the past. In doing this I will first investigate the historic injustice of the Aboriginal people of Australia and I will look at the argument that they are entitled to some form of reparation and why.
I will incoroporate some interesting views from Jeremy Waldron, Robert Nozick and others which will help me slowly build to my conclusion that reparation should be in the form of Non Indigenous Australians surrendering some of our priveleges as a form of reparation.
Historic Injustices to Indigenous Australians:
Australia the continent was well inhabited for many years long before white settlement. It is commonly known that in 1788 Australia was colonised as a country under the rule of the British Empire, with total contempt for the fact that it was already inhabited by a native indigenous race of people.
The way the original inhabitants have been treated, including forced assimilation, execution, stolen families and not even allowed to be recognised as citizens for a large part of white Australia’s history are also well known facts. (Poole, 1999,pp114-142)
There exists now a situation where there is a large divide between Aboriginal and non Aboriginal Australian’s that can be traced back to the moment Australia was invaded by English settlers and the brutal and unfair treatment that has followed.
So at this point now, in 2013 what is the just and fair way to make amends for past actions?
I would argue that a moderate to large amount of reparation is overdue for this nation of people, the Aboriginal people. But there are many challenges to this view point especially that of how much reparation, and what sort of compensation.
Past injustices or present suffering?
One of the questions raised in an issue like this is whether it is better to provide compensation or reparation for past deeds, which have already been done in a previous generation and cannot be changed, or whether it is better to now provide assistance to those who are suffering in their current situations and consider that as a form of moral duty.
To understand this we need to delve a little deeper into this issue and hear some differing viewpoints.
Firstly we need to understand what the best way to provide reparation. How do we judge what is the best way of giving back and how much? Jeremy Waldron states “The historic record has a fragility that consists, …in the sheer contingency of what happened in the past” (Waldron,1992,p5 )
This is saying that we can’t trace every single injustice back to the original act therefore reparation for every act would be almost impossible because it would ultimately be guess work.
In this statement he has an objection from Robert Nozick who believes it is in fact possible to address this problem by “changing the present so that it resembles how the past would have looked had the injustice not taken place” (McKenzie, 2013)
This would be a way to ultimately provide maximum reparation, but is it the correct approach? I believe this is a fairly radical approach, although it does have some merits in the fact it would be working in a positive way for indigenous people, I don’t think it is entirely the right way to deal with these issues but it is on the right track.
Waldron argues that it is based on too many unknowns. “The status of counterfactual reasoning about the exercising of human reasoning of human freedom is unclear”(Waldron 1993,p10)
Which leaves the question somewhat open about the sort of reparation that is required, but provides one clear answer to the key question. Both agree that yes, reparation to some extent is required. But how much and in what form?
Another philosopher who leans more towards Waldron’s views is Kymlicka. He is somewhat more straightforward in his assessment that property rights in particular for Aboriginals would create “massive unfairness” and also he maintains the argument “Aboriginal rights must be grounded in concerns about equality and contemporary disadvantage. (McKenzie, 2013) I agree with both these views but I don’t think they provide any active solutions.
The Solution?
So if its not handing back all of Australia’s land to the original inhabitants that is the most appropriate way to deal with past injustices, then what is?
I look at the current country I grew up in, as a white Australian. I ask myself why I never had Aboriginal friends growing up, no understanding of Aboriginal culture and why my basic understanding of Indigenous Australians is mostly 200 years old. I look at our flag, a symbol of a nation that stole a country from its original inhabitants, with no recognition of the Indigenous people at all on it. I see that Australia considered Indigenous people as less than people until only 40 years ago and I see the way that Indigenous Australians live a completely separate life to the way of life I know as an Australian. I see that the only indigenous politician I am aware of is a former Olympian and it is because of this fact of her sporting status that I know this. I see no collective power or representation of Indigenous Australians and I see non Indigenous Australians,( a culture built on a history of stealing a land and mistreating its people) still taking, taking as much out of this land as they can, with little to no regard of sharing or giving to the original inhabitants. I see a government that says lots of words about ‘closing the gap’ and bringing the living standards of non- indigenous and indigenous Australians closer together, but apart from nice words, there is no conviction, no follow through, just assimilation , and all that still remains are injustices.
As stated by Sparrow, “Continuity gives rise to responsibility on part of present generations of Australians for our history”.(McKenzie,2013). Although deeds happened in the past beyond our control, what we do now to either ignore, or rectify these issues will reflect on us in history. So if we choose to do nothing, we are contributing to the history of the mistreatment of non- indigenous Australians. And this is simply unacceptable in my opinion.
Conclusion
So what is fair? I believe that the way forward is a surrendering of some of our privileges as non- indigenous Australians. The simple fact is it was morally wrong without a doubt what has happened in the past. And it is also morally wrong without a doubt to ignore these facts and not offer some form of reparation in the present. But how much?
I think that going back to Robert Nozick’s argument is a start. I think Nozick is wrong to make the present resemble the past in every aspect. But I do think that it would be reasonable to restore some aspects of the way things should be. The things that happened in the past were out of our control and we can’t go back to changing the way things were. But we could change the way things are.
For some examples. Why not give at least 50% of political power to indigenous people? It surely would be a fair thing to do considering this is their country. Media control. 50 percent. Industry. Realestate. The list goes on. Why do we not acknowledge the indigenous people on our flag, or better still use their flag? Why is Australia still a part of the Commonwealth when it serves little purpose to any of us and serves as a constant reminder to Indigenous Australians that they are still controlled by the original invaders. These to me are fairly simple reparations that would have minimal impact on Australia as a whole. Perhaps, it would alter the way we live but I think it is our responsibility, morally to forfeit some of our privileges for the greater good. Basically a little bit goes a long way.
In closing, it is a fact that a huge injustice occurred to the Indigenous population and suffering continues to this day. There is no easy solution to such a burden of pain. I believe the only solutions are for the non- Indigenous population to take responsibility and sacrifice our own way of life to bring about an overall equality. Sacrifice is not an easy word. But it all comes down to right and wrong. We are in a position to give, in this current generation. What are we so scared to lose, that was never ours in the first place??
Bibliography
McKenzie,C.”Prof” (2013), Lecture, Historic Injustices and Indigenous Rights, Macquarie University
Poole, R. (1999). Nation and Identity.Routledge, London, pp.114-142
Waldron,J. (1992). ‘Superseding Historic Injustice’. Ethics, 103 (1), 4-28
References
Poole, R. (1999). Nation and Identity.Routledge, London, pp.114-142
Waldron,J. (1992). ‘Superseding Historic Injustice’. Ethics, 103 (1), 4-28