Insights into Practice Rationale - Essay Example

Insights into Practice rationale Name Institution Introduction The Australian society is divided by differences in origin, culture, and even economic status. However, it is quite unfortunate that the indigenous people are highly victimized against expectations of any other society. The indigenous people in Australia in include the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples (Hollinsworth, 2010). The most immediate illustration of how despised and underprivileged the indigenous people are is that a great percentage of them reside in remote and rural areas. Further, there are a series of historical, social injustices that are affiliated with the indigenous people being deprived of their lands and resources. As a social justice operative, the aspect of people being deprived of their rights and property is an absolute issue that is worth fighting. From a historical point of understanding, Australia was occupied by the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders. These people comprised different communicates which had different cultures and languages. For instance, there were about 700 spoken languages. The estimated population of the indigenous people was approximately 750, 000 (Mooney, 2013). However, the statistics are not the same today. Instead, there are about 410, 000 indigenous people in Australia, making them 2 percent of the entire population. Of course, there are adverse situations and reasons behind retardation in the population growth rate amongst the indigenous people in Australia. However, the most immediate cause was the removal or eviction of the people from their traditional lands and resources. Further, the expansive initiation of cities and towns into the lands of the indigenous people was a cause of reduced populations amongst them (Hollinsworth, 2010). However, the series of activities encroached in the spirit of violence have led to today’s situation of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders in the Australian society. They no longer trust the government and the services rendered by it. The essay depicts a detailed analysis of the oppression faced by the indigenous people. Further, it addresses the privileges that contribute to the oppression of the indigenous people. Ultimately, I will provide a personal counter to these issues from a personal, cultural and structural level. An overview of oppressions faced by the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders Frequent discussions concerning social injustices in Australia revolve around the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders. The issue of oppression to these people is not only a historical issue but also a contemporary issue (De Schutter, 2009). The initial entity that influenced the oppression of the indigenous people was the Constitution that was established in the year 1901(Hollinsworth, 2010). From a historical point of understanding, the background of social injustices commenced when the children and women of the indigenous people got carried away from their homes. These injustices include the acts of genocide, eviction and dispossession of lands, social and cultural disintegration and evolved racism. These social discrepancies got introduced after the occupation of the British in Australia (Jahangir, 2008). These injustices created a historical account of sociological and economical sense of neglecting. That implies that the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders experience intensive oppression especially with regards to social and economic amenities. The indigenous people continue to suffer oppression and racial discrimination from all walks of life. For instance, the constitution does not consider them to have inherent rights or equal rights with the rest of mainstream communities in Australia (Aboriginal Rights in Australia, 2012). That means that the indigenous inhabitants of the country do not possess any form of protection and constitutional recognition with regards to the federal government (Jahangir, 2008). Therefore, most of these people remain in the reserve areas. Further, they still suffer prohibition from practising their culture. However, they suffer regulated marriages, social contact and managed labour. Prior to consideration of the upcoming privileges that are accompanied by civilisation, there are several categories of oppression that the indigenous people in Australia are facing. For instance, the constitution does not still stipulate the real intention of inculcating and respecting the spiritual and cultural traditions (Dudgeon, Wright, Paradies, Garney & Walker, 2010). The justification for this argument is that the mainstream communities, as well as, the government have not made a decisive approach towards the restoration of the lands and resources acquired from the indigenous people. Instead, they are continually being forced to participate in the European culture and values. That means that they are still encountering the spiritual destruction, which is against the wish of a culture that was profound and rich. Today, there are a series of oppression aspects that are related to the historical injustices transgressed towards the indigenous people. They may not benefit from government initiated infrastructural development. Additionally, the indigenous people in the Australian remote areas are suffering continued poor health, poverty and the high level of illiteracy (Dudgeon, 2010). These are aspects that are associated with the historical injustices of neglecting the rights of the indigenous people. Today, there is a very high rate of deaths amongst the indigenous people. Some of the deaths are associated with suicide due to the distress experienced in the remote areas. Further, they rarely get opportunities such as health care and education. That makes the life very hard resulting in deaths and a reduction in the entire population. Ways privilege reinforces ATSI peoples’ oppression Prior to the development of practice principles and strategies to change the social injustices, it is essential to determine the different problems and oppressions that the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders. These people have not yet recovered from the genocide history and the eviction struggles. However, they still face discrimination when it comes to acquisition of civilisation. The poverty situation has led to cases of lateral violence (Lateral violence, 2012). That is where the indigenous people fight amongst themselves. Examples of the privileges that reinforce the oppression of the indigenous people include health, education, employment and income and housing amongst others. First, the indigenous people or the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders suffer inadequate health care in Australia. In fact, I affirmed that indigenous Australians experience the worst health care than any other identifiable cultural group in Australia (Anderson et.al, 2010). The life-expectancy difference between the indigenous and the mainstream community in Australia rates to approximately 17 years. It is stipulated that the continued inadequacy in cultural adaptation with regards to the delivery of health services is a persistent cause or barrier to enjoyment of health rights for the indigenous people. These challenges face the indigenous people while those citizens that belong to the mainstream society continue to live in healthy conditions. Another privilege associated category of oppression against the aboriginals is education. First, the curriculum does not teach any form of aboriginal traditions and beliefs (Dudgeon, 2010). That is despite the fact that the community comprises the longest-living group in the Australian history. Further, education is not taught in any indigenous language. Instead, all these privileges are accrued to the mainstream society. English is the dominant language in education. Further, very few children amongst the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders get a chance to go to school. Very few get a chance to start or even achieve commendable academic levels considering that most indigenous people still live in the remote areas (Kruske, Kildea & Barclay, 2006). Thus, the level of illiteracy both in education and normal management of resources is a challenge to them. Privilege associated oppression towards the indigenous people in Australia is that of employment and income. The non-indigenous people are assumed to take the largest proportion of jobs both in the private and public sector (Hollinsworth, 2010). Further, there is a contemporary initiative termed as the welfare reforms that has come to cut off the level of income and jobs for the indigenous people. I identified that one Yarrabah community in Queensland reported a loss of 7 million Australian dollars after a similar exercise deprived the indigenous and influenced employment of the mainstream communities (Dudgeon, 2010). The housing privilege is another aspect that is associated with the oppression of the indigenous communities. Every citizen in Australia is entitled to conducive housing. However, there is an elevating rate of poor living conditions and homelessness amongst the indigenous communities as compared to the mainstream communities. In consideration of the indigenous cultures and plight has led to continued housing crisis amongst the Aboriginals and Torres Strait Islanders (Anderson et.al, 2010). The constitution and the government fail to show support for these people, despite the underlying level of discrimination. In fact, the government still possesses control over the lands that belong to the indigenous. Therefore, there is persistence in the level of injustice. In fact, the plight of the women, youths and children is still underway. The Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders’ approaches to challenging privilege Currently, the indigenous people have come to seek a reimbursement of the socio-economic beneficiaries that are paramount to improving their lives. Remember, the indigenous people are renowned as a very spiritually and culturally rich community. They are making advances seek the inclusion of their cultures in the education system. Further, the Aboriginals and Torres Strait Islanders seek better approaches vis-à-vis the intervention programs, demolition of their indigenous stereotypes and to have land rights (Wenitong, 2006). Other demands of the aboriginals include the demand for self-representations and identity among other human rights accrued to a legitimate citizen of a country. Practice principles & strategies to achieve change with regards to the indigenous Australians. Personal or individual level There are several practice principles and strategies that I believe could work to initiate change at the personal level. Most importantly, I believe that these principles should be associated with the upcoming issue of lateral violence (Lateral violence, 2012). Alternatively, the principles will be associated with ensuring that there is interpersonal appreciation amongst the mainstream communities and the indigenous communities. The first approach towards achieving change at a personal level is coming up with a program that discusses a need for community integration. The approach will have a future impact of emphasizing the essentiality of diversity in culture and believes. For instance, the approach will embrace the principle of integration. The principle will consider the aspect of identity. There is the need to identify each community by its title and not considering them as general indigenous communities. The next approach will be linking integration program with initiating a movement towards seeking support from the government with regards to health care facilities and infrastructure. I believe that the movement will be backed by a large number of supporters who are willing to see a change in discrimination and lateral violence (Wenitong, 2006). For instance, the government and any other capable Non-Governmental Organisation will ensure that facilities that deal with psychological stress are established in areas where the indigenous communities live. These facilities will give personal attention to the victims. That will reduce cases of mental disorder that influence violence and a feeling of neglecting. However, I intend to come up with supportive programs that will ensure that I support the endeavour if the government and committed entities accept the appeal. That includes mobilising the civil society to shed some light to the government concerning the issues that may be facing the indigenous people from a personal level (Wenitong, 2006). That includes asking the government to reimburse the lands from which the indigenous people were evicted. That will reduce the perceptions and violence affiliated activities that the individuals are likely to venture. Arguably, approaching the problem of social injustice from a personal level demands the alignment of the cause-effect aspect. Thus, the individuals will be attended to from a psychological perspective. The approach will be educational. However, there will be a need for interventional programs to be initiated in a bid to ensure that a great number of the subjects of social injustice acquire hope of regaining their rightful positions in the Australian community. At cultural level The indigenous people including the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders are victims of constrained cultural and spiritual practices. In fact, it is one major concern that has been raised by the communities. It has adverse affiliate issues that are associated with health and coexistence. The first strategy that I will incorporate in my endeavours includes preparing a program that shows respect to individual cultures amongst the indigenous communities. Remember, the only incorporated cultures in the education curriculum are those of the mainstream communities. Therefore, I will seek assistance from legendary custodians of cultures in the communities. The strategy will operate on the basis of an all-inclusive principle as far as culture is concerned. The copies will then be supplied to most libraries in the mainstream cities, schools and remote areas. The strategy intends to create awareness of the cultures and the essentiality of these cultures. It will also be a test of the government’s willingness to enact their series of promises that are stipulated in the “Closing the Gap campaign” (De Schutter, 2009). The strategy will require intensive financial support and lobby to ensure that it is a success. However, the cost cannot be quantified with the impact it will create with regards to understanding the cultures. The second strategy will be to approach the ministry of education and related bodies that deal with education issues. It will involve a series of activities. First, I will gather and seek assistance from other social justice workers from the civil society. I will spearhead the drafting of proposals for intercultural shows and festivals in educational institutions across the country. That will involve the institutions of higher learning. The second category of proposals will revolve around the issues related to incorporating some historical aspect of indigenous culture and spiritual activities in the educational curriculum. The strategy will operate on the full legal protection of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders cultural and spiritual sites. I intend to ensure that the strongholds of these communities are appreciated both locally and internationally. The third strategy will be to seek a revision of the cultural banishment rules as stipulated in the constitution. The forceful enforcement of the foreign culture, especially the British culture is working to the disadvantage of the indigenous cultures. The strategy of seeking a restoration of the cultural diversity scenario is intended to save the cultures, as well as, reduce the probability of conflict (Wenitong, 2006). I believe that the strategy will assist in establishing social identities. Successful establishment of social identity is a success in the process of reducing possible social injustices in the community. The integration of the three strategies is likely to yield successful restoration of the indigenous cultures. That implies that there will be a long-run change in the way the indigenous cultures are viewed. At the structural level Discrimination of the indigenous communities in Australia commences from the individuals, cultures and their representational levels. It is my due responsibility to come up with some strategies that will enhance change at the structural level. The structural level incorporates a series of aspects such as leadership, and ownership of property amongst others. The first strategy is that of ensuring that I propose a change in the way of leadership. One cause for minimised health, education and housing privileges is that of poor leadership. The proposed strategy will reinforce the principle of self-representation. From a historical point of understanding, the indigenous communities had better health status than Europe in the year 1788(Wenitong, 2006). That was because there was an advanced autonomy in the management of land, economic activities, medicine and social relationships among others. Therefore, the approach will force or influence the government to respect the decisions of the aborigines and other indigenous communities on the basis of choosing their leaders. There is enough proof that the existing government has failed to consider the plight of these people regardless of their existence and status as legal citizens of the country. Secondly, there will be a strategy to propose change or alteration of the governing laws, as assumed by the federal government. The strategy will operate on the basis of a principle of irreversible change in rights of legal citizens. The first step will be to propose the consideration of indigenous based rules in the constitution. Some of the other proposed rights that could be incorporated in the approach include voting rights, citizenship rights, and land rights. Further, the strategy will also focus on a proposal to readdress the administration of justice. The approach will be used to reduce the increasing rates of incarcerations of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. There is an alarming rate of 13 incarcerations made for every one mainstream arrest (Davis, 2006). Thus, the rules will have to be reassessed to address the plight of women and minors. Conclusion The level of government to address the social injustices in Australia is more of mere talk than action. However, I believe that it is the right time to lay out a plan that will secure the freedom of the indigenous people from the myriad oppressions at the individual, cultural and structural levels. The strategies and principles proposed intend to ensure that the citizens enjoy the privileges that the mainstream Australians are enjoying (Wenitong, 2006). Examples of these strategies revolve around ensuring that the indigenous rights are restored and that they feel incorporated in the normal running of their affairs. That includes the restoration and appreciation of their cultures, reacquisition of their lands free from leasehold restrictions and enhancement of self-determination amongst the Aboriginals and Torres Strait Islanders. Successful accomplishment of these strategies will lead to an integrated society in Australia. References Aboriginal Rights in Australia. (2012). Retrieved from http://www.convictcreations.com/research/aboriginalrights.html Chapter 2: Lateral violence in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities - Social Justice Report 2011 | Australian Human Rights Commission. (2011). Retrieved from https://www.humanrights.gov.au/publications/chapter-2-lateral-violence-aboriginal-and-torres-strait-islander-communities-social Hollinsworth, D. (2010). Racism and Indigenous People in Australia - Centre for World Dialogue. Retrieved from http://www.worlddialogue.org/content.php?id=484 Mooney, N. (2013, March 14). Introduction to Indigenous Australia - Australian Museum. Retrieved from http://australianmuseum.net.au/indigenous-australia-introduction De Schutter, O. (2009). Promotion and protection of all human rights, civil, political, economic, social and cultural rights, including the right to development. Human Rights Council, 4. Jahangir, A. (2008). Promotion and protection of all human rights, civil, political, economic, social and cultural rights, including the right to development. 7th session of the UN Human Rights Council, Seventh session. Report of the special rapporteur on freedom of religion or belief.(A/HRC/7/10/Add. 1).[Cited 7 October 2009.] Available from URL: http://www2. ohchr. org/english/bodies/hrcouncil/7session/reports. htm. Dudgeon, P., Wright, M., Paradies, Y., Garney, D., & Walker, I. (2010). Working together: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander mental health and wellbeing principles and practice. Contemporary Nurse, 48, 1. Anderson, I., Crengle, S., Kamaka, M. L., Chen, T. H., Palafox, N., & Jackson-Pulver, L. (2006). Indigenous health in Australia, New Zealand, and the Pacific.The Lancet, 367(9524), 1775-1785. Davis, B. (2006, March). The inappropriateness of the criminal justice system–Indigenous Australian criminological perspective. In 3rd National Outlook Symposium on crime in Australia, Mapping the Boundaries of Australia’s Criminal Justice System, Australian Institute of Criminology, Canberra, March. Dudgeon, P., Wright, M., Paradies, Y., Garvey, D., & Walker, I. (2010). The social, cultural and historical context of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians. Working together: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander mental health and wellbeing principles and practice, 25-42. Wenitong, M. (2006). Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander male health, wellbeing and leadership. Medical journal of Australia, 185(8), 466. Kruske, S., Kildea, S., & Barclay, L. (2006). Cultural safety and maternity care for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians. Women and Birth, 19(3), 73-77. Read More