Hey Cassa - aren't we just trying to celebrate the contribution of Indigenous people to our society?

I for one think that any way we can affirm the positive contribution that Indigenous people make to our society is going to promote healing.

I do think that the time for showing that we really care is now. Every little thing helps.

Well, there's some great footy players...

Some of the guys I worked with when we built the new Port Augusta to Alice Springs railway line were just top blokes... gentle, thoughtful, sweet as anyone you'd ever meet.

These days I am helping Indigenous people start up their own businesses (with Commonwealth funding through DEEWR)... they don't all have chronic alcohol and substance abuse problems...

However, my worry is that it is almost intractable for many families in many areas now... I fear we may be too late to stop the desperate cycle of neglect, violence and abuse.

But you have to start somewhere.

I am doing my bit to accentuate the positive wherever I can. I am sure its the same for the AFL.

What else can you do?

Cassa said...

Your right you can only try, I just dont get why we need to be reminded that there is a colour difference,,,,, thats what we need to get past ,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,, isnt it?

Yes.

Its a pity the good things aren't covered as quickly or thoroughly as the crap.
Wonder how that would change things?

South Africa is just one interesting case study out of a lot of countries that have laws giving benefit to one race over another. Not just because of Apartheid, which was so internationally publicised, but also because of the Black Economic Empowerment laws that are in place now. On the broad scale these laws seem to be very politically correct and even have merit, but in application are actually quite discriminatory against white people.

Without going into the finer details of the situation, one of the terms used frequently throughout South African legislation is 'previously disadvantaged'. I think it may also be relevant to this discussion. I'm about as far from any sort of social scientist you could get, but in my ignorant opinion the fact that a certain minority group has been previously disadvantaged may actually be a decent reason for them to get a bit of extra support now and again.

Until we're all the same colour of milky coffee brown, I think the socio-economic situations of a couple of generations of ancestors will have a significant impact on our own.

Just my 0.02c

I work with a funny chick who is Sri Lankan in heritage. She calls herself 'mocha' and has a foot in both camps. Got it made I reckon.

BTW it is far too easy to peddle the stereotypes of indigenous folks being alchos or criminals. Far too easy indeed. If only the white crims/druggies/alchos stuck in your mind as easily you would end up with the view that the majority of honkies were suspect too.

Neither the majority of indigenous nor white folks are crooks or shonky but we see/hear a lot more images of indigenous folks as crooks on teev and radio. We are also ingrained with a xenophobic voice in the back of our head (yes, me too - I admit it).

Yes political correctness at times leads to imbalances that indirectly exclude or result in what seems to be racist situations (same in the gender war imbalance) but it's tricky to try and correct many decades of ill-treatment and racist behaviour without leaning too far in the other direction.

We are not in any danger of becoming Sth Africa or worse Zimbabwe so I wouldn't be getting my knickers in a twist over the occassional indigenous oriented occassion. Not quite up there with a dark skinned bloke getting the 3rd degree EVERY time he walks into a pub/restaurant/servo/cafe etc etc etc.


For my final opinionated opinion I thought the 'Nicky Winmar' moment was Gold and (in the face of overt racism from oposition players and fans that is rightly not tolerated at all anymore) his proud display and declaration of his skin lead to long overdue changes to what was acceptable on and off the playing field. Classic moment. Great outcome.