Historically Institutional racism plays a major role in hindering the progress of Indigenous people. Institutional racism is addressed in the paper as a key factor in the social disadvantage and consecutive high unemployment rate amongst Indigenous Australians. Australia is privy to a history of wrongdoing against its Indigenous community. Andrew Armitage writes of the British invasion in 1788; ‘the land needed for the colony was obtained by an act of dispossession, assisted in British law by the convenient assumption that Australia was terra nullius (vacant, unoccupied land)’. The invasion was the cause of the ‘land wars’ that ensued and resulted in the massacre and decimation of the Aboriginal people (Armitage, 1995, p. 17).
The artwork “The Outsider” painted by Gordon Bennett typifies the struggle of the Contemporary Aboriginal Spirituality to deal with the issue of dispossession and the loss of identity. Gordon has achieved his purpose through the blending of the search for meaning as well as the search of his stolen identity. Bennett has incorporated Van Gogh’s artworks Vincent’s Bedroom in Arles, 1888 and Starry Night, 1889 and has incorporated his own ideas and contextual influences into the image. Bennett has used a strong, violent and deep shade of red when contrasted to the other tones displayed in the image. The Red gives the viewer a sense of anguish as they see the bloody handprints of the aboriginal man, as well as the blood spurting from the neck of the same person.
Colonialism consists in such things as resource exploitation of Indigenous lands, residential school syndrome, racism, expropriation of lands, extinguishment of rights, and welfare dependency. What makes colonialism real in the lives of First Nations people is when these impositions become causes of harm to them as people and as communities. When oppression is experienced over centuries like this, it negatively affects people’s minds, bodies, and souls. As Eduardo Duran
The issue is brought about by various factors, including our nation’s history of an Anglo-Saxon dominated society that had brought about the White Australian Policy. This issue is still current, with everyday acts of racism being a widespread concern. In addition, the incredible exposure to western culture that has influenced our everyday lives has a large role to play. Racism is a prevalent social issue that must be addressed with the highest priority in order for Australia to move forward together,
2) Save your work on this template, then submit as an attachment to the appropriate drop box. “Americans and the Land” 1) In the introduction, Steinbeck shows his views on the early settlers and their attitudes regarding the virgin land. Consider his word choice. List at least three words that demonstrate his contempt for this behavior. “I have often wondered at the savagery and thoughtlessness with which our early settlers approached this rich continent.”In this sentence alone lets the readers know how he felt towards the early settlers that they were inconsiderate, selfish, unruly group of people that didn’t really know better in a sense.
Chapter 8 Navigating Masculinities Across the Cultural Ditch: Tales from Māori Men in Australia Richard Pringle & Paul Whitinui Introduction Contemporary Australia is multiethnic yet the lucky country has not always induced good luck for its indigenous population or non-white settlers. More bluntly, Australia’s history of race relations can be regarded as shameful (MacLeod 2006). Colin Tatz (1999) reported, in relation to the United Nation’s definition of genocide, that policies adopted by both state and federal governments up until the 1970s constituted genocide against the Aboriginals. Australia’s official immigration policy prior to 1947 also aimed to keep its population white (MacLeod 2006) and, more recently,
This argument will explore the history of Indigenous people and its significance, what the statistics reveal about participation, type of university and course choices and then how cultural capital impacts on choice. The history of the Indigenous people is complex and of great significance. There have been many landmark decisions and actions that have influenced the educational circumstances of Indigenous people, and are still having effect today. The late 19th century to the mid-20th century saw the compulsory relocation of Aboriginals into reserves and missions to contain them (Wadham, 2007, p. 204). The belief behind this national policy was that the Indigenous race lacked the capacity to be civilised and therefore, would simply die out.
There are many such justifications in the literature of the day (Stone 1974, p. 46). Social inequality Toward the end of the nineteenth century, a new problem appeared for white Australia; how to treat children of mixed race. From the perspective of Social Darwinism, full-blooded Aborigines were dismissed as destined for extinction and isolated to ‘stations’, but it was feared that those of mixed race ‘would breed up to become a social menace’ (Beresford & Omaji, p. 34). The Roth Royal Commission (Western Australia, 1905) also reflected this fear. If [they] are left to their own devices under the present state of the law, their future will be one of vagabondism and harlotry … and [they] will spend their lives in gaol or as prostitutes.
It was a widely held belief that Indigenous people were an inferior race and would eventually die out. Many policies enacted on them had a greatly detrimental effect upon their cultural heritage. Policies such as the forced Indigenous people off the land and into government reserves, the assimilation policy tried to force Indigenous people to adopt a Western lifestyle by giving up their traditional lifestyle and beliefs. They were expected to live and act like ‘white Australians’ but were denied equal wages, work conditions and welfare benefits received by other Australians. Other policies attempted to ‘breed-out’ Indigenous Australians by pairing an Indiginous individual with a white partner.
My Life As A Native American Dear Amanda: Thank you for your recent letter inquiring about my thoughts on the continued discrimination of Native Americans in America. As you can imagine, being of Native American heritage, I find it completely unacceptable in this day and age for racism and discrimination to be so prevalent. As I am sure you may not be are aware, that the American Indians have suffered through acts of racism and discrimination longer than any other race of people in the United States. With that being said, let me share a little of my heritage with you so that you might better understand the issues my people faced during the European invasion as well as today. At one time in history it was believed that the population of the different Native American tribes in the United States ranged anywhere for ten to ninety million people.