A Review of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders - Essay Example

A REVIEW OF ABORIGINAL AND TORRES STRAIT ISLANDERS STUDENT NAME TUTOR’S NAME COURSE TITLE DATE The past, present and future of the Aboriginal people has been recorded in history by an artist’s painting, cultures, oral history and journals articles and photography. The indigenous communities analyzed in this paper include the; Tasmanian Aborigines, Torres Strait Islanders and the indigenous Australians. The images analyzed in this paper represent the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders historical timeline since the colonial invasion, today and their future. The essay reviews five images of Aboriginals giving the likely period of the image, significance, the positive or negative aspects of the aboriginal and the policies that existed at the time. The first image is a picture of dark skinned people who have chains around their neck, dressed in native attire, probably pieces of cloth or skin. Their hair is unkempt; they are emaciated and impoverished probably due to staying for long durations without food. The image background gives me an indication that they live in harsh conditions, stony areas with scanty vegetation cover. Further, I believe they belong to a group of people linked by kinship ties. The image portrays the Aborigines negatively as people sold as slaves despite looking elderly. I can trace the image to 1788-1900 during the early years of colonization. The identity of the photographer can be of non-Aboriginal origin and might have been a sympathizer of the Aboriginals and wanted to let the world know about the inhumane acts perpetrated by colonists in Australia. The image is significant since it captures the torture and humiliation of the indigenous people after the white man’s invasion and colonization. The whites passed polices that were protectionist in nature, that was discriminative and inhibited the rights of Aborigines. One such policy came into force with the passing of the Aborigines Act (1905) that eroded the rights of the Aborigines, forcible removal of children, and internment of the aborigines in reserves, servitude and despair (Milnes, 2001). The colonists also propagated racist beliefs in legislation that the aborigines were less human and subjected to confinement in areas that were far away from the public. The state at that time controlled the lives of the Aborigines. The image represents only one gender; males and not the females and one would ask why only the men and not women? During colonist era majority of the women and children had to stay in the reserves and missions while the men looked for work to sustain their families. The role of women was quite insignificant and in my opinion, women were less aggressive and submissive in fighting against invasion and alienation. The White protection policies led to the capture of aborigines, round up and the placement into mission and reserves. The racists’ policies, segregation and dispossession led to disillusionment amongst the aborigines, despite putting up resistance in wars such as the Hawkesbury and Nepean wars, the Richmond Hill Battle and the Black Wars, the fight for independence was far from over (Berndt &Berdnt, 1992). The image background is a representation of land that is arid, with desert like conditions; the protection policy forced the Aboriginals to move to land not suitable for cultivation. The photographer’s view in capturing the image is the innocence and simplicity of the life led by the Aborigines before the invasion. Contrasted to the whites who had sophisticated clothing and value for material possession, the Aborigines led simple lives devoid of intrusion and peaceful. The color of their skin ‘black’ represents a different culture and race different from that of the whites. The Aborigines however hold a special place in the history of Australia because Australia is the only home that they have known despite the challenges. The second image is of two aborigines a male and a female, both laughing and smiling at each other. Something fascinating has captured their attention that makes them look so happy. Contrasted to the first image, which was black and white with rough terrain, this image must be recent since it is colored and bright. It is important to know the identities of the two people; the man is Jimi Bani an indigenous actor and the woman is Deborah Mailman the first Aboriginal Actress to win an award at the Australian Film Institute Award. The two featured in ‘Mabo’ a movie that tells the story of Eddie Mabo an aborigine who filed a petition at the High Court for recognition of native land title rights. I would estimate that the photograph is a 21st Century impression of the life of the Aborigines. There is a lot to smile about for an aboriginal, in history they had to stay isolated in camps away from the public. They had nothing to look forward to and their dignity and identity was lost. They are dressed in modern attire probably indicating that they have embraced modernity and western culture. Contrasted to the first image where the men looked sad, it shows the growth of the Aboriginals and their recognition as human. I have a gut feeling that their smiles are because of the landmark ruling of the High Court that recognized the native land rights of the Aborigines. Common law recognition of Torres Strait Islanders rights to land under their own traditions, law and customs is the first ever in Australia. The Union Jack hoisted at Sydney Cove in 1788 and marked the recognition of Australia as a colony and that the land was ‘terra nullius’ (belonged to no one). The colonist population grew and they took more land through setting bushfires and burning of crops. The objective of colonization during this era was to clear the lands of Aboriginal people, poisoned flour was distributed, diseases such as measles, influenza and chicken pox that saw entire aboriginal tribes wiped out. This represented the colonist policy of dispossession and alienation of the Aboriginals from their own homes. The case marks the end of centuries of landlessness amongst the aborigines who had placed value in their land prior to dispossession. This photo represents the photographer’s impression of the rights gained by the aborigines after the dark period. It was uncharacteristic to find a man and a woman smiling at each other during the colonial days; it was by colonists. The Constitutional change after 1967 recognized the cultural identity of the Aboriginals, granting those rights as citizens and the emphasis on the indigenous rights of the Australian (Chesterman & Gilligan, 1997). The changes on policies through prohibition of racial discrimination, land rights and facilitation of self-determination are something the Aborigines can now afford to smile. Contrary to Kevin Gilbert (1997) assertion in Living Black; that the Aborigines had sickened psychologically through barbarism, rape of soul and provisions of the law that prohibited the existence of the Aborigines, this image is a positive representation of the Aborigines of how they have progressed in life. It highlights the progress and change of Aborigines from servitude and alienation to integration and better living. The third image is that of an aboriginal man behind bars. The bars are made of metal, consistent to those found in prisons, correctional facilities and detention centres. I can identify the man to be of Aboriginal descent because of the dark skinned hands. The man has a strong grip on the metal bars and this means that he is not there out of his own free will but because of something, he has done. The image gives a negative impression on the character of an aboriginal man. One can draw conclusion that Aboriginals tend to commit crime, indiscipline and disobey laws. The photograph may date to the 19th, 20th or 21st Century since it is a modern day prison. The aboriginal must have committed a heinous crime to imprisonment as punitive penalties. If a picture can speak, then I would have inquired the reason for the man’s imprisonment to determine whether it was just or unfair. The current policies that relate to crime create special laws that only pertain to Aborigines. The policies in legislation recognize the traditional customs and practices that relate to punishment of criminals among the Aborigines and the penalties imposed. However, in one research carried out by Robert (1986) showed that Aborigines average at least twenty times the average rate in criminal incarceration. The incarceration rate among aboriginals is a demonstration of a new form of neocolonialism and raises the criteria for sentencing Aboriginals within the criminal justice system. The inequalities in sentencing of Aboriginals only depict the government’s non-commitment to creating an equal State. The image in my opinion represents the Aboriginals continual placement in captive like environments. Despite the fact that an Aboriginal right is recognized in the Australian Constitution, their conditions in reality are still likened to those of the colonial days. Similar to the first image where the Aborigines were chained prison and metal bars are the same thing only this time it is a facility that one is less likely to get freedom easily (Bain & Andrew, 2007). In my opinion, Australian policies about Aboriginal rights have only changed in paper but in practice unfairness and discrimination is still the norm of the day. The significance of this image is the struggles of an Aboriginal in embracing punitive measures that are harsh, especially if one is of Aboriginal decent. The fourth image is that of an Aboriginal man, dressed in a suit and a tie. The man is dressed in modern day attire drawing a sharp contrasted to that of the first image. There is a flag colored in red, white and blue symbolizing his identity as an Aboriginal man. In practice, most presidents and prime minister take photos with flags to represent their status in community. In my opinion since Australia has not had a President or a Prime Minister of Aboriginal origin, this picture symbolizes the future leader of the Aboriginal people. It is an image of hope and belief that one day a leader will come from among the Aboriginals. On the other hand embedded on the image are the words “This Will Never Happen Again”. This represents disillusionment, giving an impression that the artist of the image was of a non-Aboriginal descent. The picture is both positive and negative; on one hand, there is optimism that an Aborigine would lead the Australia while on the other hand this dream cannot and may never happen. This image is recent, probably between 2010 and 2013. The Australian policies on indigenous education have been limited and funding has been a problem among the aborigines. In Australia, there exists a high rate of unemployment, arrests and imprisonment, low education and low life expectancy due to laws, customs and practices that have racial inequities in Australia (Dudgeon et al., 2000). Currently the Australian government sponsors about 2000 indigenous students, but this is insignificant since more than 7000 indigenous students require sponsorship to finish their education. The role played by Aboriginals in the governance of Australia has been insignificant due to past injustices committed by different regimes. The Australians have never believed that an Aboriginal would ever lead the country because racists and discriminative views continue to thrive. The population of indigenous and aborigines are insignificant compared to that of non-Aboriginals since most of them were killed during the colonial era, policies that prevented child birth among the aborigines and assimilation has greatly affected their numbers. Winning an election would be something that is next to impossible, but there is still hope. The significance of the image to a modern day Australian is that the Aborigines are a determinative people; they struggle to make their dreams and hopes of a better tomorrow alive. It is upon the Australian people to change their policies on marginalization of the Aborigines and open them up to a better and brighter future. The Aboriginals are optimistic that one day they will have their own run at ruling themselves once again. It depicts both an Aborigines belief of having a Prime Minister and negative notions that Aborigines will not have a Prime Minister as long as Australia exists. The last image is that of an old man. The man is of aboriginal origin, dressed in a sweater and a leather jacket symbolizing modern dress code. His beard and hair are all white in color and one can estimate his age to be around 60s or 70s. The man is standing on a brick wall, with a torn poster. The man on the image is Jack Charles an Aboriginal Actor credited for having created the first indigenous theatre group and has participated in the release of ‘Eora’ a production about the Aboriginals of Sydney. The picture is a contemporary photograph of Aboriginals probably residing in a big city or urban area. In my opinion, the image is a positive representation of the aboriginal people. Contrasted to the first image of traditional aborigines, it shows how modern Aboriginals influenced by Western culture especially in the mode of dressing have transformed their lives. This is one of the consequences of the policy of assimilation introduced in 1961. The policy of assimilation meant that the Aborigines were to act and adopt the same manner of living as other Australians in order to enjoy the same rights and privileges, through acceptance of Western customs (Reynolds, 1972). Despite policies of assimilation, aboriginals continue to stay true to their origin and are proud of who they are. The policy that existed was that of declaration of one’s aboriginal status before publishing written materials or scripts. The Australian Council for Aboriginal Torres Strait Islanders Arts Board demanded that indigenous applicants must prove their identity through provision of a letter confirming their identity from a senior member of the community or a registered organization. It is in my opinion that policies that undermines the cultural identity of a person and protects rights to privacy are characteristics of colonial day policies and neo-colonialism. Jack Charles once said ‘it was the first time a person has asked him whether he was aboriginal or not’ when he sought permission from the Council to right a book. The significance of this image to Australians and Aboriginals is the struggle of aborigines through history for equality, just like the non-Aborigines and people of other decent. Young or old, one can advocate for change and a better tomorrow for their people, as old as the man is, he stands to be counted as an aborigine. In conclusion, the images give a complete story of the life of aboriginals. It starts with despair suffered by them during the invasion and colonial era, followed by happiness and joy through recognition of the Aboriginal rights under common law. The pre-independence era signified by the challenges faced by the Aboriginals through harsh and discriminative policies. One important lesson is that the Aboriginals are rich in history, culture, and a lifetime story to tell generations to come. The Aboriginals have same rights as any other citizen, protected by not only the government but also other citizens that reside within Australia. REFERENCES Aborigines Act (1905) Bain, A. & Markus, A . (2007). The 1967 Referendum- Race, Power and the Constitution. Sydney :Aboriginal Studies Press, Berndt, R. M., & Berndt, C. H. (1992). The world of the first Australians: Aboriginal traditional life, past and present. Canberra: AIATSIS. Chesterman, J., & Galligan, B. (1997). Citizens without rights: Aborigines and Australian citizenship. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press. Dudgeon, P., Mallard, J., Oxenham, D., & Fielder, J. (2002). Contemporary Aboriginal perceptions of community. In T. Fisher, C. Sonn & B. Bishop (Eds.), Psychological sense of community (pp. 247–67). New York: Plenum Press. Gilbert Kevin (1977) Living in Black: Black Talks to Kevin Gilbert. Sydney: Penguins Milnes, P. D. (2001). From myths to policy: Aboriginal legislation in Western Australia. Perth: Metamorphic Media. Reynolds, H. (1972). Aborigines and Settlers: The Australian Experience 1788-1939. Sydney: Cassell Australia, 175. Robert, N. M.(ed) (1986). Black Death: White Hands-The Face of Neo-Colonialism. Aboriginal Law Bulletin 50 Read More