Comparative Essay Ass 2 First Nations

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Assessment item 2 – Comparative Essay – Raghda Rhonda Zahra - 11792705 The relationship between the wider Australian community and Indigenous Australian people has been shaped by a variety of historical events since 1788, following the British colonisation. The two events from the Australian History Timeline that I will explore pre 1967 is the Assimilation Policy and post 1967 is the 1975 Commonwealth Racial Discrimination Act and examine the impact that these two events have had on Indigenous Australians' sense of self, as well as on their culture and way of life. The significance of both events on how the media presents and moulds the relationship between non-Indigenous and Indigenous Australians is also made clear by these occurrences. I will also discuss my standpoint on these various factors that have shaped my perspective throughout my life experiences. PART A In 1937, the Assimilation Policy went into effect, requiring Indigenous Australians to accept Australian principles and establishing a white majority (Pearson et al., 2018). To assimilate Indigenous Australians into ‘white’ society, the Assimilation Policy involved removing children from their families. The aim of this approach was to dismantle Indigenous Australian society. By forcing Indigenous Australians to adhere to non-Indigenous Australians' values and traditions, it sought to assert authority over the reproduction of Indigenous Australian communities. This approach had detrimental effects on Indigenous Australian communities, including a loss of identity because the rest of society disregarded their ideas and opinions. Given that non-Indigenous Australians saw Indigenous Australians as a "problem," it is clear that Indigenous Australians had no involvement over this policy. 1

Assessment item 2 – Comparative Essay – Raghda Rhonda Zahra - 11792705 In comparison to the 1975 Commonwealth Racial Discrimination Act, it advocates 'equality in factors such as race, colour of ethnic origin' (Racial Discrimination Act, 1975). This strategy aims to support Indigenous Australian communities, reduce discrimination against employees and those applying for a job, and raise employment rates. The racism Act of 1975 was modified in 1995 (section 18C and D were updated), to bring attention to the maltreatment of Indigenous Australians (Racial Hatred Act, 1995). According to the Australian government's assimilationist 1975 policy, both Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians were expected to eventually adopt the "same manner of living as other Australians” (Hasluck, 1961, p. 1), positioning Indigenous Australians in the minority, without having any input into the decision-making process or having their opinions considered from a political or social perspective. Indigenous Australians and non-Indigenous communities had a difficult relationship as a result of no Indigenous Australians having a voice or being given the opportunity to represent their culture. Additionally, there was no such thing as an Aboriginal culture. The principal objective of the policy was to ensure that no traces of Indigenous Australian identities remained as all Indigenous Australians grew up in an environment that was mirrored by the Commonwealth. Due to this, Aboriginal children were removed by force in order to dehumanise them to their culture. As a result, they were no longer treated as equal members of society and were still viewed as an inferior race (Pearson et al., 2018). Policies of assimilation that constrained Indigenous communities to live in predetermined societies with imposed ideologies and cultures serve to culturally reproduce knowledge of Australian history. Discussion about the deficit and challenge existing instead of serving as a central focus for ongoing problems with racism, colonialism, decolonization, and oppression, Aboriginal people can be used to highlight how dominant cultures maintain power (Russell, 2020, p. 33). Similar to this, the 1975 Commonwealth Racial Discrimination Act reflects this 2

Assessment item 2 – Comparative Essay – Raghda Rhonda Zahra - 11792705 concept and is still being implemented by the Australian government in an effort to incorporate Indigenous Australian populations into Australian culture. PART B By stressing the continued effects of colonisation and the ongoing battle for reconciliation, the discourses and norms linked with the assimilation strategy and the 1975 Commonwealth Racial Discrimination Act continue to shape current understandings of Australian history and culture. Indigenous Australians were intended to "adopt Australian values" under the 1937 Assimilation Policy (Pearson et al., 2018, p.2). To assimilate Indigenous Australians into ‘white’ society, the Assimilation Policy forcibly removed children from their families. The 1975 Commonwealth Racial Discrimination Act forbids treating someone differently based on their race, colour, lineage, country of origin, or citizenship status (Racial Discrimination Act, 1975). The discussion regarding Indigenous rights and the ongoing effects of colonisation on Indigenous populations is still heavily influenced by these events. The paradoxical absence of public recognition within the Commonwealth and wider Australian culture highlights the policy's disrespect for the rights and cultural practises of Indigenous Australians. It is clear that national history and the media suppress the word "assimilation" in order to advance the policy's fundamental goal of "White dominance." Publications from the Assimilation Policy Period make this evident , “ openly taught a celebratory version of history in which ‘Aborigines’ were either absent or derided” (Chisari, 2012, p.2). This reinforces the public's perception of people of First Nations identity and suggests that Australians are ‘white’, which, from the perspective of an Indigenous Australian reader, would not be familiar with their ancestry and cultural history. Racialised privilege and authority have a wide range of effects on the institutions and structures of Australian society today. The history of colonisation and the 3

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Assessment item 2 – Comparative Essay – Raghda Rhonda Zahra - 11792705 assimilation policy has resulted in systemic racism and disadvantage for Indigenous Australian people in areas such as health, education, and economic opportunity. This systemic racism is perpetuated by institutions and behaviours that continue to privilege non- Indigenous people, such as the disproportionate representation of Indigenous Australian people in the criminal justice system and the underrepresentation of Indigenous people in positions of power and leadership, contribute to this systemic racism. The media is important for actively creating for us a narrative of the society in which we live as well as for delivering information about that environment (Bullimore, 1999, p. 72). Media outlets including newspapers, Television and radio shows did their best to persuade the public that assimilating Indigenous Australian children into the ‘white’ world would be in their best interests. Deficit discourse in the media is prevalent. Indigenous Australians are frequently shown negatively in the media, with representations of them having poor health and educational outcomes. Seventy four percent of reports on Indigenous Australians in certain media outlets were negative (Stoneham et al., 2014, p.25). Racialisation has a vital impact in the collective and personal perspectives of both Indigenous and non-Indigenous people. Anne Barton (Sir Edmund Barton’s great- granddaughter) gives insightful information on white privilege and makes the argument that racial disparity cannot be resolved until white Australia finally recognises its colonial history of racism (Barton, 2011, p.3) . Racialisation, a process in which distinct groups are classified and treated differently based on their perceived racial identity, has had a significant impact on the isolation and oppression of Indigenous people in Australia. These collective standpoints may also influence the individual experiences and identities of people within these groups. PART C To begin my reflection, I would like to mention that I feel as though my perspective on this important matter that explains Indigenous Australian and non-Indigenous Australian 4

Assessment item 2 – Comparative Essay – Raghda Rhonda Zahra - 11792705 people has evolved because of multiple aspects that have influenced my viewpoint throughout my life experiences. From my own educational experiences at school, to the lessons life has dealt as an adult, I understand how government policies and the media shape how we view different groups of people within society; how stereotypes and miscommunication prevail even within the education system; and how this fosters hostility and leads to discord within social structures. As a Muslim, I am all too well aware of how a group of people can be targeted by government, educational institutions and society. My perspective of the cultural, historical, and present experiences of Indigenous Australians has grown considerably over time. At school, I was first introduced to the impact British colonisation had on First Nations people, and how the positioning of history is used when trying to promote a certain version of events. Perspective matters. Listening to the stories and watching performances by Indigenous Australians sharing their culture and history, woke me up to the difficulties faced by First Nations peoples, especially those who were born before the Racial Discrimination Act was implemented. In 1951, the Australian Government promoted the introduction of the Assimilation Policy designed to enhance the lives of Australia’s Indigenous people. However, its true purpose was the exact opposite. It forced indigenous Australians to discard their cultural practises and language in favour of embracing western values. The Assimilation Policy “ultimately required the end of Indigenous identity” (Murphy, 2013, p. 208). Important cultural, spiritual, and family links were severed when children were taken away by force from their families and communities. This had an impact that lasted for generations (Find & Connect, 2021). The Racial Discrimination Act (RDA) was passed in 1975 having had high expectations that it will help end racial prejudice in Australia (Gaze, 2005, p.171). There have 5

Assessment item 2 – Comparative Essay – Raghda Rhonda Zahra - 11792705 been advantages and drawbacks to the RDA, in my viewpoint, during the past 50 years. The advantage of the RDA is that the Indigenous and other minority groups are not denied their rights as an Australian citizen (Racial Discrimination Act, 1975). Due to its shortcomings, the RDA is not a perfect solution to the problems facing the Australian Indigenous community, and racism towards them is still pervasive today (Gaze, 2005, p.172). Learning about the true history and culture of Indigenous Australians, and the devastating and lasting impact of British colonisation, coupled with my own personal experiences, has deepened my understanding and appreciation of Indigenous culture, “allowing me to become culturally competent” (Ranzijn et al., 2009, p.9). It has increased my compassion, and my appreciation of their challenges and has inspired me to do my part to continue to support Indigenous Australian’s rights. The two events from the Australian History Timeline that were used to examine the relationship of attitudes and the Australian governments ideology towards Indigenous Australian communities was the Assimilation Policy 1937 and the 1975 Commonwealth Racial Discrimination Act. Since the rest of society disregarded their views and beliefs, the Assimilation policy had detrimental impacts for Indigenous Australian communities, including a loss of identity. Despite the RDA's efforts to promote equality and guarantee that everyone is treated fairly, it is clear from society that Indigenous Australians continue to experience discrimination and unequal treatment. By enacting laws and regulations like the RDA to guarantee that everyone is treated equitably, the government has made significant progress in supporting the Indigenous Australian people. 6

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Assessment item 2 – Comparative Essay – Raghda Rhonda Zahra - 11792705 References Bullimore, K., (1999) Media dreaming: Representation of Aboriginality in modern Australian media . Asia Pacific Media Educator, 6, 72-81. Chisari, M. (2012). History textbooks still imply that Australians are white. The Conversation. https://theconversation.com/historytextbooks-still-imply-that- australians-are-white-72796 . Find and Connect, (2021). Stolen Generations https://www.findandconnect.gov.au/guide/nt/YE00369 Gaze, B. (2005) . Has the Racial Discrimination Act contributed to eliminating racial discrimination? Analysing the litigation track record 2000-04. Australian Journal of Human Rights, 11 (1), 171–201. https://doi.org/10.1080/1323238X.2005.11910797 Hasluck, S. (1961). The Policy of Assimilation, Decisions of Commonwealth and State Ministers at the Native Welfare Conference , Canberra, January 26th and 27th, 1961. https://aiatsis.gov.au/sites/default/files/catalogue_resources/18801.pdf . Hunt, T. L. (2020). Critical Reflection: Dismantling White Privilege From Within. Social Work & Policy Studies: Social Justice, Practice and Theory, 3(1). Murphy, J. (2013 ). Conditional inclusion: aborigines and welfare rights in Australia, 1900- 47. Australian Historical Studies, 44(2), 206-226. Pearson, L., Pearson, L., Johannessen, D., McCabe, L., & Cruse, B. (2018). Australia is not a multicultural country - IndigenousX., https://indigenousx.com.au/australia-is-not- multicultural/ . 8

Assessment item 2 – Comparative Essay – Raghda Rhonda Zahra - 11792705 Racial Discrimination Act . Legislation.gov.au. (1975), https://www.legislation.gov.au/Details/C2016C00089 . Racial Hatred Act. Federal Register Legislation. (1995), https://www.legislation.gov.au/Details/C2004A04951 Ranzijn, R., McConnochie, K. R., & Nolan, W. (2009). Introduction to cultural competence. In Psychology and Indigenous Australians: foundations of cultural competence (pp. 3- 12). South Yarra, VIC: Palgrave/Macmillan. Russell G. (2020). Reflecting on a Way of Being: Anchor Principles of Cultural Competence. In J. Frawley, G. Russell & J. Sherwood (Eds.), Cultural Competence and the Higher Education Sector (pp. 31-42). Singapore: Springer Stoneham, M., Goodman, J., & Daube, M. (2014). The portrayal of Indigenous health in selected Australian media. The International Indigenous Policy Journal, 5(1), 1-13. 9

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