by NINA NGUYEN – FRAMING Aboriginals as victims removes individual responsibility and denies them the opportunity to flourish, according to Indigenous Senator Jacinta Price.
The Country Liberal Party senator for Northern Territory said last week this approach creates the expectation that the “perceived oppressor”, who is white Australians in this case, is “responsible to empower you”.
- Non-Indigenous kids don’t need to feel as though that they’ve done something wrong.
- All Australians need to realise just how close we are as human beings to one another.
- We shouldn’t be dividing Australians by race.
“The problem with the idea that there are two classes of people is that it doesn’t recognise people’s true capabilities as human beings,” she said.
“When you say I’m a victim, you are effectively handing over your power to somebody else.”
HERITAGE
“You’re not a victim just because you are Aboriginal or because of your heritage. You are a human being, first and foremost, who is capable of great things.”
Senator Price also criticised attempts by politicians and activists to speak on behalf of remote Indigenous communities whose first language is not English and who still live very close to the traditional way of life.
Such an approach portrays Indigenous people as “one homogenous group of people,” the she added.
“No race of people on Earth all think the same. We’re not being respected as individuals in our own right.”
Price was one of the speakers at CPAC (Conservatory Political Action Conference) Australia held in Sydney between October 1-2.
The event saw prominent figures from different areas discussing political, social and environmental affairs from the conservative standpoint.
The comment comes as the centre-Left Labor Party and the ultra-Left Australian Greens look to institutionalise an Indigenous advisory body in Parliament which requires adjustment to the constitution.
A referendum is due to be held before the next federal election, due in May 2025.
TREATY
Meanwhile, Greens senator Lidia Thorpe, who is also of Indigenous heritage, pushed for a treaty and “truth-telling process” of past and current injustices against Indigenous people.
“Let’s tell some truth … we are the fabric of this country, and we’re not treated like that. We’re treated with contempt, really; we’ve got to always prove our existence in this country.
“So truth will help heal, truth will help unite. Treaty is a mechanism for a negotiation of settlement,” Senator Thorpe said in August, according to The Sydney Morning Herald.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese last month told 4BC Radio that the “truth-telling” should “absolutely” be included in the school curriculum.
However, Senator Price argued that the teachings of Aboriginal culture and history should reflect the truth that is “not the romanticised version and not guilt politics”.
“There is a void because a lot of Australians don’t know about traditional Aboriginal culture. And that void is filled with a romanticism of culture, or a reinvention of culture,” she told The Epoch Times.
“That projection is put on to non-Indigenous kids [who] don’t need to feel as though that they’ve done something wrong because of their backgrounds.”
“We can’t speak on behalf of one another.”
Creating a deeper understanding of traditional Aboriginal culture in school, Senator Price added, would help people “realise just how close we are as human beings to one another” rather than divide society.PC
Australians have many different lifestyles, beliefs and aspirations, BUT these millions of individuals make up just one Nation – united under the Southern Cross.
The separate ‘Voice to Parliament’ would cleft our Nation apart, divide us by race and achieve absolutely nothing of value for our united welfare.
Yes, it’s a wholly, – horribly divisive concept, for a body which would be run by activists and who have little knowledge of, or concern for, those many Aboriginal people who still choose to live their valuable, deeply traditional lifestyle away from the towns and cities.
The ELEVEN Members of both our House of Reps and our Senate who identify as having Aboriginal background are all capable, intelligent, aware Australians, fully able to address any problems and needs of these true citizens of our Country.
And, these citizens are in no way victims! They are individuals who have hopes and aspirations, but who, like all of us, sometimes need a helping hand along the way.
There is no such thing as a victim in Australia. Opportunities abound. So it’s time the lazy stop blaming those who get of bed before six for their own self-determined financial plight. Anyone who works 37.5 hours a week is comfortable. If you work 60+ hours you will find wealth beyond the dreams of anyone in history. Glue and blame shifting is not the answer.