Mick Dodson's right when he talks about the Problems facing Aboriginal Australia....
"Our children are experiencing horrific levels of violence and sexual abuse."
No person in their right mind would deny that indigenous Australians, especially those in the outer suburbs of the cities and in many isolated communities, have a shocking time of it.
I lived for twelve years in the Pilbara and also in Kalgoorlie and Geraldton and saw, first hand, the deleterious effects of poverty, lack of education and especially alcohol, on the local aboriginal populations.
The children, in particular, were treated in a appalling manner. They most certainly do experience "horrific levels of violence and sexual abuse".
However, one thing that reverberates through this, and other articles, is the lack of a clearly stated objective as to how to deal with the problem. While he concedes the problem "is extreme and requires extreme action" he doesn't state what that extreme action should be.
Now, he surely knows the studies, research, taskforces and programs referred to in the article, not to mention the addressing of trauma and the call for accessible & credible services have proven singularly ineffectual to date. As he says, the situation is worse than ever.
Therefore, could he be hinting at another course of action?
Am I the only person who read the article and wondered whether the extreme action he refers to might entail some kind of separation of the vulnerable from the problem?
I apologise in advance!
Posted by: Yobbo | 13 June 2003 at 00:05
Here's something really radical: end separatism.
Posted by: slatts | 13 June 2003 at 12:08
Naughty Yob. Pot shots on this blog? Never.
Slatts, there's a big article in the Oz today about separatism. Well, it kind of hints at separatism. As I see it, though, it's still a cry for more services. Hasn't that's worked well to date? There's just got to be a policy of greater inclusion. This whole policy of "Us and Them" rots! You live with aboriginies you find out they're pretty good folks, good ones, bad ones, stupid ones, smart ones. Just like us. Setting them apart sucks.
Posted by: Tony.T | 13 June 2003 at 12:32
I worked as a volunteer on an Aboriginal Mission in 1985 - terrible conditions and shocking abuse - but no lack of anything material.
I agree that we should end seperatism.
Let's try inclusion - with the rights and responsibilities that all Australians enjoy.
Posted by: Jim | 13 June 2003 at 21:00
G'day Jim. Yeah, it's a tough gig living in aboriginal areas. Especially for a primly brought up Melbourne boy. I don't have any wise insights, but it's pretty damn sure the present system is a crock and that some serious decisions need to be made about inclusion and freedom to engage in some robust debate.
Posted by: Tony.T | 14 June 2003 at 20:03