Feature Article Racism- to Kill a Mockingbird Etc

It is a commonly known issue in Australia that as a minority group, the people of Indigenous Australian ethnicity have always been treated, or at least perceived, differently to those of non-Indigenous disposition. This can be applied to different contexts such as social, economic, education, or in relation to this essay – legal contexts. Generally, Indigenous Australians face issues such as less opportunity for formal education, less access to sufficient income, more health issues, and higher rates of imprisonment (Steering Committee for the Review of Government Service

At the turn of the twentieth century the systematic forced removal of Aboriginal children from their mothers, families and cultural heritage was commonplace. There were several reasons that the government and white society used to justify the separation but the prevailing ideology of nationalism and maintaining Australia for the ‘whites’ was the over-riding motivation and justification for their actions[1]. Progressive sciences such as anthropology espoused such theories as eugenics, miscegenation, biological absorption and assimilation which legitimated governmental policies relating to Aboriginal affairs[2]. It was

It has been said many times that, “racism is taught- you are not born a racist.” The question is, where do people learn their negative racial attitudes from? It can stem from many different causes such as your family members, friends, media, or your community. Personally, I believe that your parents are a big influencer on how you are as a person- how they raise you plays a big part on how you view society and the world as you get older. Research says that a parent and child’s relationship is a strong predictor of an individual’s adjustment (Cole, 2014). Young kids that are constantly being exposed to racial stereotypes will embed those stereotypes within and will continue to think the same as they get

I think you bring up a very important point, over whether racism (or other forms of discrimination) is innate or learned behavior. While I realize that this subject is controversial, I tend to agree with you that racism is in fact a behavior that is learned. I think the evidence that young children do not care about the race (or religion for that matter) of their playmates, or even their caregivers (such as teachers).

Government policies authorising the removal of Aboriginal children have caused extensive and unrepairable damage to every aspect of Indigenous culture. It could be argued that the emotional turmoil which occurred as a result of this policy, is greater than any physical abused ever faced by the Australian Aboriginal people. The act of child removal would be a scarring experience for parents and children of any race or culture. This policy had a particularly damaging impact on the Indigenous people as their identity is based within a set of strong traditional guides and teachings. These lessons are not recorded, but can only be taught through speaking with elders and learning through a connection to others within the mob, connection to art forms

The Australian movie “Rabbit Proof Fence” presents a sensational story about three half-caste young girls who escape from the settlement Moore River where in which they were abducted and taken to. The movie reveals the racism that took place between white Australians and Australia’s Aboriginal people. The movie clearly portrays Mr. A O Neville as a racial activist. Mr. A O Neville did what we thought was right. He did what the law said and carried it out the best he could. It can be said that Neville tried his best to improve the conditions in which the people lived, but there is clear evidence that he never tried to improve anything. Neville always put himself, the

A huge part of the aboriginal culture and heritage was based on family relationships but many of the children grew up without knowing this. The loss of Aboriginality affected the children when they were grown up to be adults, if they tried to move back to their family’s community they were not welcome because they didn’t know how to settle back into an aboriginals life style.

During the Great Depression, racism and prejudice were the cause of suffering for many people who were greatly affected by discriminating thoughts. In the novel To Kill A Mockingbird, Maycomb County is a town also filled with the evils of racism of prejudice, but that immorality is often hidden by certain of acts of courage and goodness enacted by the citizens of Maycomb. In her novel To Kill a Mockingbird, Harper Lee portrays the importance of courage through characters Atticus, Mrs. Dubose, and Jean Louise (Scout) Finch, who all persevere through the path of rightness in the face of prejudiced and disapproving opinions, without worrying about the consequences of their actions. Atticus’ decision to defend Tom Robinson brings many disapprovals from others but he still continues to fight for him, although he knows that there is a high chance of Tom Robinson being doomed because of his race. Mrs. Dubose exemplifies courage because even though it costs her life and invited bad thoughts from others, she stays determined to get free of her addiction. Scout, an innocent, young girl, shows courage by defending what she thinks is right, although the consequences may not be good for her.

The impact of the Stolen Generations on Australian Indigenous peoples is seen in the sense of isolation and separation that overwhelms the children that were forcibly removed under the policies of the assimilation legislation. The children experienced not only separation from their family but also had their identity taken away, this includes not being able to speak their own language or practice their culture and religion practices.

During the 1890’s and 1970’s, Indigenous Australians did not have equal rights as the ‘white’ Australians and were treated callously, anguished and tortured due to their race. The Stolen Generation was the event where children, who were of an Australian Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander descent, were removed from their families. Many Indigenous children were forcefully removed from their families, never being able to see them again. The treatment towards the Indigenous Australian’s was horrific, as these children were taken away from their community, placed into an institution to be changed into the ‘white’ ways of doing things whilst being treated with brutality in the procedure. To demonstrate to what extent did the Stolen 3 Generation affected the Australian population several key areas of the will be examined. This includes; what was the Stolen Generation, when did the Stolen Generation start and when did it end, what was the cause of the Stolen Generation. how did the Stolen Generation affect the Indigenous Australians and the non – Indigenous Australians and how significant was the event to Australian History. Once these aspects have been observed, it will become clear that the affect of the Stolen Generation to the Australian population was a significant part of the Rights and Freedoms movement which change the way the Indigenous population were recognised in our society.

“Racism is taught in our society; it is not automatic. It is learned behaviour toward persons with dissimilar physical characteristics.” (Alex Haley) The quote shows that racism is not a thing that you are born with, it is something that comes to you through the language that is used around children. Harper Lee in her book To Kill a Mockingbird explores with exuberant humour the irrationality of adult attitudes to race and class in the Deep South of the 1930s. In this book you can see that racism is taught it is not inherited. Racism is a believe that inherent differences amongst the different racial human groups, which determine their respective cultures, usually involving the idea of that one’s race is more superior

Since the British invaded Australia, white people had dominated Australia over the Indigenous Australians. The white Australians who sought ‘social control’ (McDonald 2007, p. 1), established legislations dealing with the Indigenous Australians. It is estimated that some 25,000 children were removed (Read 2014, p. 4) under state legislations. Queensland government passed the Aboriginal Protection and Restriction of the Sale of Opium Act in 1897. Under the Act, the Aboriginal and the Torres Strait Islander people in Queensland were removed from their original reserve to another, and children were sent to dormitories or placed in employment by the Chief Protector (Korff 2016: McDonald 2007, p. 2). Following this Act, the Western Australia Aborigines Act 1905 and the Southern Australian Aborigines Act 1911 passed. Both Acts made the Chief Protector the legal guardian of all Aboriginal and half-caste children under 16 years old and 21 years old respectively (Korff 2016). Also, in 1911, the Federal government passed the Northern Territory Aboriginal Ordinance under which Aboriginal people were forcibly removed onto a mission or institution, and children were also removed from their family (Korff 2016). The Aboriginal and the Torres Strait Islander people who were removed from their original place, and particularly those children who

The Australian government has created and implemented many policies to create a united White Australia until the 1960s. Most significant history issue is ‘Stolen generation’, which was implemented from 1910 to the late 1970s. This policy is serious trauma to all generations of Aboriginal peoples and still effect on them (Korff 2017b; Murphy 2011, p. 482). Many assimilation policies have focused a great deal on children because the government thought that children could easily adapt white culture. The children who were taken live in missionary camp or some children were adopted by European family. They learned Western culture and English forcefully, and the government tried to get rid of indigenous culture from them. In addition, they banned children from using their traditional songs or languages. In fact, children who have been educated so long time have forgotten all about the indigenous cultures and language (Australians togetherr n.d.). Stolen children and their families are still struggle with past mismanagement and discrimination;

At first arrival to Australia, my knowledge about history of Indigenous Australians and in particular about “Stolen Generations” was limited. After research, I have leant about history of Australia’s First Peoples and the struggles they have faced. In February 2008 Prime Minister Kevin Rudd delivered an apology to the “Stolen Generations” that was addressed to the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians who had been forcibly removed from their families under government policies.

This essay will argue and reflect on the issues and perceptions of the Stolen Generation as well as justifying why this part of Australian history had occurred during 1905 – 1969. It will also argue the issue of whether the government should have taken the Indigenous children away from their families better known now as the “Stolen Generation”. Unfortunately, past actions caused by the government are now seen as wrong and today still remain to have profound repercussions for all Aboriginal people. This issue is significant as Indigenous communities and their families are suffering or have feelings of neglect due to the Government’s former actions and policies of child removal. The most distressing occurrence seen since the white settlement