A sad reflection

“He that wrestles with us strengthens our nerves, and sharpens our skill. Our antagonist is our helper.”

As I reflect on past and present governments’ handling of Indigenous affairs I thought of this great quote from Edmund Burke (1729-1797), Irish-born British statesman and philosopher. These are truly sobering lines to read in the context of the daily grind we have to endure just to sustain a meagre existence: providing a roof over our family’s head, food on the table and finding extra money to meet the never-ending stream of bills that continue to plague us.

Conquering adversity and our collective unfaltering determination to maintain our cultural identity will ensure that we will not lose the fire in our belly, however small the flicker of light might be.

At the turn of the 19th century our ancestors were deemed to be the forgotten people, and as we commence the 21st century I wonder whether we are still held in that light by others.

As a mental exercise, take your mind back to the beginning of 1806 and paint a picture of a destitute Indigenous female elder lying unconscious on a busy pebbled city footpath with hundreds of non-Indigenous people walking around or stepping over her on their way to work. No one bothers to check to see if the old lady is in need of medical attention or to show her any compassion.

A black member of a forgotten race soon to fade away forever might be the underlying thought in the indifferent minds of the fleeting pedestrians.

Now take your minds two centuries forward to the second week in March 2006 and try to picture an identical scene being played out in any busy city street in the nation.

Not possible? Well read the following exert from a major Murdoch paper and shock yourself out of your complacency.

"Left for dead at bus stop"
Margaret Wenham
March 7, 2006

One of Queensland's most prominent indigenous elders was left for dead for more than five hours at a busy Brisbane bus stop after suffering a stroke ...

... A group of Japanese students finally came to Aunty Delmae's aid.

Aunty Delmae, 62, has sung on stages around the world, performed with ballets and orchestras, even penned poems for prime ministers but, yesterday, with tears running down her cheeks, she recalled the shame of lying in her own vomit, unable to speak or reach out to passers-by.

"I'm thinking, in terms of humanity, how could this happen?" she said ...

... With fresh tears sprouting, Aunty Delmae said she didn't like to suggest it, but she feared that she was a victim of racist stereotyping.

"Everyone was treating me as a freak, like I was a drunk or something," she said.
"But I was wearing good clothes.

"I've never drunk or smoked in my life and I've always been a peacemaker."

Why was this incident, that beggar’s description, allowed to happen in a public place in an affluent democratic country?

What is the government doing to address the appalling racist attitude that more and more Australians are exhibiting towards Indigenous Australians? Where is the “ANZAC spirit” that I hear so much about: of Aussies looking out for each other, especially in times of crisis?

When a devastating tsunami or earthquake strikes our heavily populated Asian neighbours, Australians gladly donate billions of dollars to alleviate their hardship and discomfort and send over medical personnel to ensure our great international reputation is maintained (for the “picture paints a thousand words” photo opportunity).

And yes I did see the 60 Minutes programs on the hard working army medical staff in Indonesia and Pakistan and I commend them for their service and dedication in the face of trying times.

But what about the billions of dollars that Indigenous Australians are crying out for to address our appalling social problems? Why our children should have to wash their faces, under the government’s shared responsibility agreements, to get community petrol bowsers, swimming pools or, for heaven sake, air-conditioners in their scorching class rooms is beyond my comprehension.

I think Peter Charlton, national political editor of The Courier-Mail explained John Howard’s term in office very succinctly when he wrote on March 2, “For the past decade, Howard has governed with one single precept in mind: what is best for John Howard and the Liberal Party. He has had a huge influence on the country by appealing to the lesser angels of our national character. As a result, Australia is a meaner, diminished nation.”

Peter Garrett, Labor Member for Kingsford Smith, offering further unflattering words on the Howard years adds:

Since 2000, the Government has made many changes to the way it provides Indigenous services. It has abolished ATSIC and talks of sharing responsibility with communities. There is already widespread concern that the way it applies the idea of “mutual responsibility” may not achieve the necessary results.

The prime minister promised in 1998 to commit himself “very genuinely to the cause of true reconciliation with the Aboriginal people of Australia by the centenary of federation”; to meet Indigenous Australians “more than half-way” in the reconciliation process; and, last year, said he understood the need for practical and symbolic actions.

Unfortunately for Indigenous Australians and for the whole community, whose support for reconciliation remains, these promises have proved hollow.

As difficult as the road ahead looks, it is incumbent on Indigenous leadership to maintain their rage and continue to adopt the mantra of self-determination as we work our way through one of the worse periods of conservative rule this country has experienced. We, and only we, will be able to devise a workable pathway forward and then include our non-Indigenous supporters in our pursuit of practicable goals of equality and justice.

Most important we should learn from the atrocious track record of this mean-spirited and uncaring government’s handling of Indigenous affairs. And to always remember Edmund Burke’s famous saying:

“He that wrestles with us strengthens our nerves, and sharpens our skill. Our antagonist is our helper.”