Introduction to Indigenous Australia - Essay Example

? Critical Review Introduction The end in the beginning: Re(de)finding Aboriginality by Michael Dodson is an article that voices outDodson’s concern on the perception of the Aborigines by early settlers. He brings out the perceptions of the different groups of people; religious men, scientists, as well as, educationists. The Aboriginal people as Dodson says Aborigines were regarded as barbaric, uncouth and blood thirsty. The Aborigines are further seen to be below all forms of existing beings. Religious men referred to Aborigines as immoral, unfit to be in any divine presence and that they were in the same level as brutes. The opinions of scientists were by far the crudest of them all. Scientists classified Aborigines based on the blood types and brain functioning as if they were some animal that needed to be analyzed for further understanding. They further said that aborigines were more of apes that the human race. Learned people looked into the life of Aborigines with contempt and disregard. They claimed that Aboriginal people were adept at making poor judgments and thus needed direction to make sound decisions (Dodson, 2003). These were particularly nasty perspectives and Dodson seeks to review them with a critical eye. He says that these early settlers do not know the Aborigines and so they are not in a position to refer to them in any way. According to him, these early settlers should have a firsthand experience with the Aboriginal people before judging them. This paper will try to review Dodson’s perspective of Aboriginality critically with the aim of understanding his perspective of the issue. Dodson shows his concern for the colonizers being obsessed with the aborigines and aboriginality. These colonizers have made it their passion to look into the aborigines and also labeling them all kinds of this they deem fit. Dodson concern is seen when he notes that colonizers have made aboriginality seem like a mystery to be solved. He says that there are cases where aborigines have been referred to half bloods, full blood, hybrids, real and inauthentic. At some point, there was a suggestion that for one to be a legitimate aborigine, then he was to have more than 50% of aboriginal blood. His concern is also seen when he speaks of how aborigines were initially considered heroes. He then this compared to how they are being ridiculed today by artists in films and other artworks. According to Ethnologists, there was a need to rescue the aborigines from their wayward animalistic behaviors. The aborigines were considered cannibals, savages and infanticides. They are also known to be vulnerable just like the other lesser races in the world. This is strongly contested as these aborigines are seen to be out of control of the fact that they are in their “twilight” days. Aboriginal people are voiceless in the society as no one has given a chance to speak for themselves. It is saddening that people do not give an ear to the Aboriginal people. The arguments the early settlers pass are based on narratives from early settlers who were biased. The biases of the colonizers are seen in their obsession to brand aborigines as a lesser race com pared to the other races. A study by the United Nation aimed at unearthing the issue of discrimination that was faced by the aborigines and other indigenous groups that were considered on the verge of extinction. The indigenous community was given legitimacy based on the race, dressing, ancestry, as well as, dialect. In cultures across the world indigenous people are considered marginalized, backward, illiterate, and with an archaic mode of speech. These indigenous groups have been objectified in the eyes of the early settlers. The United Nation report emphasized the need to allow an indigenous community to decide whom they wanted to be part of their community. The report further emphasizes the need for an indigenous group having their own definition of whom they are thereby giving all the other “fake” definitions a cold shoulder. It is their responsibility to stand and defend their heritage even if people consider them backward. This is because their heritage is what makes them unique to other people. Other projects were meant to foster the need for the indigenous people, the aborigines in this case, to uphold their identity so as to counter the stereotypes and labels that were directed to them by the early settlers. Dodson brings out the oppressive nature of colonialists with the labeling that were put across to them by early colonizers. He is concerned with the perception of Aborigines being a noble issue in one era whereas in another this issue is seen as full of contentions. The review brings out the issue of the importance of primitive states to colonizers in power and legitimacy. Aboriginality has, therefore, been regarded as the relationship that people of the indigenous and the non-indigenous groups have genuinely formed. This relationship is seen when the non-Indians started regarding Indians, conservatives and liberals also loving the aborigines since these aborigines “fitted the bill” in all aspects. The mirroring effect is brought out when the aboriginals look into the representation that they get from the society and identify with it. The Other-Us reality has had a considerable influence in the life of many people in this case; people tend to see themselves through other people. People should regard their identity despite the many misconceptions about these identities. People are, therefore, to relate with others but at the same time guard their identity jealously. It is ignoble according to Dodson to try and define what aboriginality is. This is because this definition will be defying an individual’s right to be who he thinks he is without the subordination of other peoples’ definition. According to Dodson; individuals do not need to re-find the past since the past is part of them. The fact that people try to use their past to determine who they are is an action and should be used by indigenous and non-indigenous groups. The Liberating Power of Remembrance is used as a vital source in this article. Remembering what the past had in terms of influencing different people is a crucial aspect in the reclamation of these people’s lives. There is a need for enlightenment of the Aboriginals. This is important if indigenous people are to protect themselves from the negative vibes that are met from other people. The stereotypical representations that are hurled at indigenous groups are to be countered by these indigenous groups themselves. Dodson is for the idea of indigenous groups standing up and defending what they believe makes them unique to other people. Dodson has a conviction that the past and the present are the true determinants of whom we are. Therefore, repossessing who we are is a central aspect as it helps us shun all negative stereotypes that try to re-find who we are. References Blainey, G. (2008). The Land Half Won. Ontario: Routledge. Dodson, M. (2003). The End in the Beginning: Re(de)finding Aboriginality. In M.Grossman's (Ed), Blacklines. pp 25-42. Melbourne: Melbourne University Press. Flood, J. (2006). The Original Australians: Story of the Aboriginal People. London: Allen & Urwin. Lyndall, R. (2006). The Aboriginal Tasmanians. New York: Routledge. Pardoe, C. (2006). The Evolution of the Aborigines. New York: Oxford University Press. Windscuttle, K. (2005). The Fabrication of Aboriginal History. New Jersey: Macleay Press. Read More