I remember a time when MJ would read those little stories on the inside pages at the start of the Japan Times and search out the most horrific 100-odd word, sidelined accounts of murder, neglect, abuse and violence, and often the victims were children and women.

This week in Australia there have been terrible accounts of murder, neglect, abuse and violence in Indigenous communities, and the media have been having a proverbial frenzy.

We talked a bit about this in the culture and disputing workshop this week, and found the presentation of this story seriously problematic. The historical context of aboriginal marginalisation in Australia, and the effects if this marginalisation were entirely lacking, as though these events had occured in a vacuum. In the last decade, funding for basic infrastructure in rural Australia has declined, the governments attitude has been ‘well, if they want services then theyve gotta come into the cities, its too expensive to provide services to the bush.’ The recent budget, generous in so many respects (if you are a family) neglected to address urgent needs in indigenous communities yet again. The current government continues to refuse to apologise for the historical treatment of the Aboriginal population, fearful of the possible legal and financial consequences, determinedly blind to the healing and reconcilliation value such an apology would have.

The stories of abuse were presented as though this kind of thing never happens in White Australia, or anywhere else for that matter, “beyond most people’s comprehension and range of human experience” in fact. There was talk of how cultural issues have a part to play in the silence that surrounds these abuses, and since then there have been headlines like “Child rape ‘part of men’s business’” (news.com.au), which is unsubstantiated and untrue.

The arguments i find most disturbing are the ones relating to legal rights and obligations, and the need for the cultural curtain to be swept away. Whose laws are given priority here? Western legal practices are based on a punitive system focused on the individual; Aboriginal legal practices are based on shaming and restorative practices that hold the community together. Even with my woefully lacking knowledge of Aboriginal culture, i can see huge value conflicts here, and a privileging of European legal practices that totally ignores alternatives. Calls for the cultural curtain to be removed and for “cultural sensitivity involving such issues [to be] eradicated” indicate a total dissmissal of Aboriginal culture, and reflect (i suspect) a large portion of the White Australian population’s mistrust of the Aboriginal cultural practices around the regulation of knowledge. Aside from that, where are the calls for the culturally-generated silences related to the under-reporting of sexual abuse in White Australia to be eradicated? How quick we are to pretend that the problems around sexual abuse and violence against women and children are not pandemic in European (and other) cultures. How quick we are to suggest that one culture’s values and practices be swept aside in favour of our own.

• Fontella said on 06/05/18 at 02:28 PM.....

  As you aware that having grown up in Central Australia, I have been long aware of the issues and subsequent neglect and/or misguided polices towards indigenous people by respective Governments (Federal and State), which combined together, I believe, have assisted in creating the situation that is tearing the Indigenous community apart.

  
  

  On hearing and watching the media frenzy this week I was transported back to our conversation with The Red One on this very subject at Easter. I agree with your sentiments on what is a very complex and tragic situation. The only thing I will add without becoming too presumptious (I hope), is that the nature of the reporting on the topic this week only highlights the cultural divide. I am no Aboriginal cultural expert, but having worked in the media I can testify that the mainstream media are dealing with this issue with their backdrop of Western cultural values and beliefs. It is interesting that it was only last night (three days into the frenzy) that the first mention occurred of the fear of another stolen generation being a significant factor in regards to the issue within the Indigenous community. The non-Indigenous population, I believe, have no idea just how deep the scars from that era are still in existence within the Indigenous community. It also needs to be realised that this situation is far more widespread and not confined just to Central Australia.

  
  

  
  The fact that the situation is now out in the open, I hope will lead to a greater understanding of just why this has occurred and that it is the symptom of a myriad of evils. I am being optimistic and hoping that the subsequent discussion and debate will hopefully lead to constructive endeavours that not only deal with the symptom but also the various causes behind it. My fear is that more than likely there will be knee-jerk reaction that will only deal with the symptom leading to other problems. Unfortunately the ingrained element of the situation means that there is no overnight solution. It will be interesting to see if politicians will go with the political expediency or show some true leadership ... time will tell.

   

• T said on 06/05/18 at 03:28 PM.....

  Here here to both of you.  Given the recent ridiculous hoopala(*) in Washington with our Prime Minister, he is probably hoping that this problem just disappears.  Perhaps he can ask George W for the best solution given their “stellar” track record with Native Americans.  /sarcasm

  He should be taking care of matters at home. 

  
  (*) this is about the only time in my memory that Austalia has even been recognised by the US, let alone given such a lavish exhibition of unity and friendship.  Is Australia the only friend that George W has left?  The whole thing is a farce IMHO.

   

• Chris said on 06/05/20 at 07:49 PM.....

  A very reflective summation of the current information on this topic..looking forward to discussing this on tuesdayhttp://www.marshmallowspikers.net/images/smileys/smile.gif