I would like to know what my attitude to Aboriginal Australians actually is
too?
Considering I have friends from different races, including a number of
Aboriginals and Torres Strait Islanders, I thought it was one of friendship
and laughter.
But now everyone questions me (someone they don't know) and I'm not sure
what my views are. Everyone else seems to know what my views are except me.
Seeing as everyone knows me so well, could someone pls enlighten me???????
As for your questions, not that I feel I should have to explain myself nor
do I know how well to answer them (apart from honestly), but:
Q1: What are you willing to contribute to this list that will further the
cause of reconciliation?
Q2: If you do not want to contribute to reconciliation via this list, then
what is your purpose for being on the list?
I have no idea!
This list seems to have a bit of everything and certainly is not restricted
to discussing just one issue. From my view, I simply wanted to add another
angle - even though I am white, young and female - and to pose questions so
I had a better understanding of things happening in this country.
I was keen to find out why people thought such things and how they perceived
things to be racist. No matter how many times I've said this, but I have
never been called a racist in my life (until now) and have never practiced
racism. I assumed that by reading material on this site I would understand
what was going on and realise why people were doing the things they were
doing and saying the things they were saying.
Unfortunately the first major issue I stumbled across was the death in
custody with mandatory sentencing and the perception by people it was
racist. For someone such as myself who believes in the law and justice, I
could not understand where that accusation came from. It made me want to ask
questions and put another side to the argument and to challenge people about
what it really meant. I wasn't fighting, I was just asking or posing
thoughts about such topics. I wanted to know why people had these opinions.
The trouble was the more I seemed to ask, the more people did not like my
imposition.
I have no idea what I can offer to the process. However, I do know that in
my own way I will continue to have many friends of all races and treat them
as people with the respect they deserve and have always received. Not
because of a colour or race but because they are human beings. I just want
people to get on regardless of what they look like or what they are. Hell
I'm not perfect and I'm the first to admit it but it disgusts me when people
feel they have to put someone down simply because they are different. I do
not believe in the ideal world of white because that is narrow-minded and
arrogant. This world is made up of many people from all over the place with
many exciting and extremely interesting lives and stories.
As a young Australian I am extremely proud to be Australian and to have the
freedom and ability to make a good life for myself wihtout fear or malice
from others. I've travelled overseas and I know we are in fact a very lucky
country because there are many places who do not have the privileges we do
and we should be forever thankful.
I belong to no political party, have never been involvd in politics and have
no intention to be. In fact I think some politicians are liars just looking
for votes by giving the answers they know people want to hear. To me, that
is cop-out and one thing I have never been. I have never been one to stand
down from my thoughts and opinions or things I believe very passionately
about.
If people do not want me on the list because my opinion offends then that is
a pity because that was not my intention. By the same token, it goes 50/50
and it offends me when people abuse me or go against things I am passionate
about. But I understand because it is all about a lack of knowing or
understanding. You just can't change some people-you just acknowledge they
are who they are.
And that I suppose was part of my original intention but it just seemed to
get washed away before I even had a chance.
I have no idea whether this dialogue answers anything but I am just saying
how I feel. There are no real defined answers to these questions.
-----Original Message-----
From: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
[mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]]On Behalf Of Trudy & Rod Bray
Sent: Wednesday, 5 April 2000 6:05 PM
To: RecOzNet2
Subject: [recoznet2] Questions for Karen
Karen,
No doubt you are aware that many people find you disruptive to the list
and your attitude to Aboriginal Australians upsetting.
Whether you think this is justified or not doesn't really come into it
because this is how it is.
You have told us how you came across this site and decided to stay and
see what it was all about. Now that you know what it is about, please
tell us the following:
--What are you willing to contribute to this list that will further the
cause of reconciliation?
--If you do not want to contribute to reconciliation via this list, then
what is your purpose for being on the list?
Would you please answer the questions above as directly as possible?
Trudy
--
_________________________________
Truth is a pathless land. --- Krishnamurti
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