BLM and Indigenous Reconciliation

If It Were Enough

By Ella Ray, Year 10, The Ridgeway Campus

As Noam Chomsky famously wrote:

 '...any attempt to solve a conflict has to touch upon its very core; the core, more often than not, lies in its history.' 

Throughout the past few months, our news has been dominated not only by the most recent reports of the pandemic, but with footage of protests, chants and marches, all in the name of Black Lives Matter. 

This is nothing new. Since the declaration of Terra Nullius in 1770, there have been disagreements with how the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders have been treated. The Protection Policy of 1869 saw waves of paternalism crash over nations in Australia, with the British way of life being imposed across the country. Furthered by the Assimilation Policy of 1937, along with the Stolen Generation spanning 1910–1970, it is clear to all Australians that we’ve had a terrible past regarding the treatment of First Nations people. We watch The Rabbit-proof Fence in English, study the Civil Rights Movements in Humanities and celebrate Sorry Day and Reconciliation Week every year. 

But is it enough? 

Evidently not. 

If it were enough, over 10,000 people wouldn’t have taken to the streets on the 6 June to protest. 

If it were enough, the 1987 Royal Commission into Aboriginal Deaths in Custody’s recommendations would have all been implemented. If it were enough, the commission wouldn’t have needed to go ahead in the first place.

If it were enough, 3 out of 4 Australians wouldn’t hold an implicit bias against Indigenous Australians, proved by studies done this year by the University of Sydney, Harvard University and Yale University. 

If it were enough, this article wouldn’t exist.  

Our society has moved on significantly from the biases of the past, but their prevalence today is unfortunately undeniable. The past has proved that we can change, and the time for change will never stop. 

We need to look into our hearts. We need to learn from the past in order to change our future. The pieces are in place for us – all we need to do is put them together. This is a human issue. Other Australians are dying. They’re suffering as a result of a racially charged system. 

We have the power to make the change. Our history has shown this, time and time again. Charlie Perkins has proved it. Eddie Mabo has proved it. Stan Grant has proved it. Adam Goodes has proved it. 

Now we can prove it too.

We Stand With You

By Lara Kaitlin Aickin, Year 11, The Ridgeway Campus

Stepping out of the train at Parliament station, I found myself caught in a whirlwind of energy. People from every demographic rushing towards the escalators, all driven by the same demands - justice and change. The death of George Floyd Jr, a black American man, on the 25 May sparked global outrage regarding police brutality towards people of colour and systemic racism. Perpetuating this movement were #BlackLivesMatter advocates across the globe, calling for people to take this ‘revolution’ as a vital opportunity to educate themselves about the history of injustice towards the black community, how they can help support the movement, how to break down our own learned prejudices and learning facts and statistics to assist in approaching and educating others. 

Walking out into the sea of protestors on Spring Street and I was almost swept away. Over 10,000 people had come together that day. Over 10,000 voices united to cry the same message. 'No justice, no peace.' 

In regards to COVID-19, precautions such as masks and sanitiser were provided by the Aboriginal organisers (Tarneen Onus- Williams, Crystal McKinnon and Meriki Onus) as the march progressed towards Flinders Street Station. 

Motivated by the movement in the United States, the protest in Melbourne helped to elucidate the many Aboriginal deaths in police custody. 'I can’t breathe,' were words not only spoken by George Floyd Jr but David Dungay Jr, a 26-year-old Indigenous Australian man who died in police custody in 2015. The main aims of the protest were to hold offending police officers accountable, and to educate ourselves and others about similar injustices and what we can do to stop them occurring. 

Now, months after George Floyd’s death, although not trending, the #BlackLivesMovement remains prevalent. 

Teaching yourself about learned prejudices and privileges you may unconsciously benefit from, as well as sharing information that is correct and informative is extremely encouraged by the community, education is powerful. Silence is complicity. 

In This Together

Avriel Das, Year 9, University Campus and Avlene Das, Year 7, Plenty Campus

National Reconciliation Week is one of the most symbolic weeks for all Australians. To fully indulge in Australia’s rich history, we must acknowledge, respect and reconnect with the true owners of this great land: The Indigenous People of Australia.

This year, Ivanhoe Grammar held an online Reconciliation Week.  In the online video, Mr Foley and Mr Branigan shared the School’s first 18-point Reconciliation Action Plan, while Father Sanderson read 'The Rainbow Prayer' by Reverend Robin Davis, an Indigenous woman. The Aboriginal and Australian flags were then raised at Buckley Hall, signalling the inclusiveness of the School.

There were also classroom activities to recognise Reconciliation Week - the Year 7 students at  Plenty Campus wrote intriguing essays in response to Dorothea Mackellar’s poem, ‘My Country’. The poet illustrates the serenity of the Australian bush yet does not acknowledge the owners of the beautiful land. The essays by students stressed that we must acknowledge that Australia is truly the country of the Indigenous People of Australia.

Here is part of a response to ‘My Country’ written by Avlene Das.

‘Despite the fact that the poet has written in such a way that the poem captivates and entertains readers, ‘My Country’ still has its many downsides. The repeated focus throughout the entirety of the poem is ‘my country’ as the title suggests. However, the word ‘my’, a possessive noun, can show great disrespect towards the traditional owners of the land. Mackellar refers to the country as her own, although the Indigenous Peoples of Australia, the Aboriginal people, have lived and owned Australia for many thousands of years. Although this is true, the phrase ‘my country’ can be viewed as one’s own self belonging to the country, instead of owning the country. Within these two possible ways to view the poem, it is proven to be extremely easy to misunderstand the true meaning of the words ‘my country’. The phrase can be seen as ignorant and inconsiderate, as the poet acts seemingly unknowingly towards the origins of ‘her country’.’

We Australians have grown to appreciate and respect the First Peoples of Australia, who have preserved this great land for many generations. Despite  COVID-19, 2020 is a year where we should all reflect on the true history of Australia, long after Reconciliation Week. We should be proud our school has taken the lead with a comprehensive reconciliation plan.