A Vision of GENUINE Reconciliation: Part 4 - Negotiable Terms

The gap and reconciliation are often discussed together because it is assumed that indigenous disadvantage is caused wholly by white colonisation, for example by annexation of land and disruption of traditional social ways. Therefore, it is argued, the large gap between indigenous and non-indigenous health, criminality, and income can only be closed by initiatives coming from whites, meaning the nation – making reparations and otherwise undoing the harm their ancestors allegedly inflicted.

Such a narrative assumes that indigenous people have had no agency, that their actions have had, and continue to have, no effect on their current situation. It is assumed that from 1788 until today, indigenous people have been passive recipients of impacts coming from non-indigenous people, that they are always the innocent, ineffectual party and that the nation, especially Anglos, are the party bearing sole responsibility for present inequality, indeed for all negative indigenous behaviour.

In fact, indigenous Australians are demonstrating agency by demanding a Voice to Parliament. If they are to be treated as serious negotiation partners, their leaders need to take responsibility for the behaviour of their communities. Agency and the reciprocity it permits should be practised with regard to apologies for and restraining of bad behaviour. At the same time, Anglos should demand inclusion in the referendum process and cessation of systemic Anglophobic exclusion and vilification.

Written and spoken by Dr. Frank Salter.

Also featured in greater depth here: https://quadrant.org.au/product/the-voice-referendum-a-statement-on-behalf-of-the-british-australian-community/

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