On being black and not existing

[little_seahorse]

There are some things i've said to people over the years, about being Aboriginal, and growing up in a racist country where leading academics assert that I don't exist. I wanted to put those things down here with my thoughts.

I've recently been hugely inspired by the incredible neo_prodigy , who blogs with fantastic passion, and anger about racism, and

Comments

[a_shadow_there]

It makes me so mad when I hear that people say that Aboriginal people should get over it. IT WAS GENOCIDE. You don't just GET OVER genocide, for fuck's sake. And that people can't see that - I can't imagine how maddening that must be for you.

[little_seahorse]

You're totally right. Genocide destroys culture and the lives of descendents for countless generations. That I don't know my language kills me. I get so jealous when I see mothers and daughters conversing in their mother tongue.

Nothing makes my blood boil faster than racist fucks saying we should get over it.

[australian_joe]

There's something I say in response to writing like this when it would be wrong to just not saying anything at all, but I am moved and humbled and can't seem to find the right words:

I read all this.

Thank you for writing it where I could see it.

[little_seahorse]

I'm touched that you were moved and humbled.

I can't believe it, I stumped the most verbose person on my f-list :)

[australian_joe]

More that I can't tell you I know what you're feeling - because I don't.

I know enough about race privilege to know there's a lot I don't know; to know I shouldn't make it all be about white (wealthy, male) guilt; and that the most useful thing I can do is respectfully listen and learn.

Oh, and I guess I also know to avoid anything remotely resembling the "tone argument". It sounds like you have plenty to be angry about - even just this tiny summary slice you've given us here is more than enough, and I assume this is the tiny tip of a huge iceberg.

So, yeah, be angry and don't let yourself be talked into feeling guilty or childish for being angry.

Also: even on the few occasions where it may actually be true to say of someone "they should get over [...]" - it's never really a *helpful* thing to say. You're the only one who can tell us if you should be over something. If you say you shouldn't be, then I believe you.

[little_seahorse]

You hit it on the head, Joe. It's the desire to listen and learn that's hugely important.
Facing reality, and acknowledging the past is not about dredging up great mires of guilt, it's really not.

All the people who decided to invade this land are long deceased, as are the people who enacted the various crimes that go untaught in schools.

There is nobody left to punish, or to blame, so learning, and teaching and facing the past without a great big lumpy rug covering it is what's needed to move on and move forward.

Cheers for not being an ignorant twit :P and having intelligence enough to know that some anger is not foolish or childish.

[little_seahorse]

Thanks heaps *hugs*