Supporting Black Lives Matter in Australia
Ruby PH Instagram
I acknowledge the traditional landowners of the Whadjuk boodjar that I stand on today and honour the Elders past, present and emerging.
My platform is small but I have one and I need to use it. As an Australian and business owner, I feel it’s critical to acknowledge the Black Lives Matter movement and take a stand against racism here in Australia.
Despite what popular media and politicians like us to believe, violence against people of colour doesn’t just happen in America, it happens here too.
We don’t seem to remember our history. We’re not told the truth in school. We’re not shown positive representations of Indigenous people in popular media. We have to do the work ourselves.
How do we move forward?
So how do we make a lasting change? How do we support people of colour beyond #BlackOutTuesday Instagram squares? It goes beyond a hashtag. We have to educate ourselves, have difficult conversations, and as Dixie Crawford says, it’s time to get uncomfortable.
Kaylene Langford from StartUp Creative shared her thoughts on what we can do going forward. I found it helpful.
StartUp Creative Instagram, Kaylene Langford
Learn Indigenous Australian history (the truth)
Reach out to Indigenous communities and ask how we can help
Celebrate Indigenous culture – read, listen, engage
Incorporate Indigenous people into our community, business and brand
Don’t just follow trends, think critically and ask, "how can I be of service?”
Connect with how we feel and stay centered so we can listen and learn.
Resources
In light of changing limiting beliefs, celebrating Indigenous culture and being of service, here are some resources.
Movies, shows & speeches to watch
National Indigenous Television. There are heaps of awesome shows, movies, documentaries, and news programs to watch. It’s on free-to-air or on-demand.
My Stolen Childhood, and a Life to Rebuild | Sheila Humphries
Sheila Humphries was taken from her parents and placed in an orphanage by white authorities in Australia. No reason, just the colour of her skin. Hear her TED Talk.
What’s it Like to Be An Aboriginal | Tui Raven
What it’s like to grow up as an Aboriginal person in Western Australia? Let’s find out.
Brilliant speech by author and journalist Stan Grant on racism in Australia.
You Can’t Ask That asks hard questions. This is the Indigenous episode. Highly recommend.
Rabbit-Proof Fence: Cheat Sheet - SBS
A story about the Stolen Generation. This happened. We need to acknowledge it.
Non-Australian BLM education (On Netflix)
An incredibly powerful documentary analysing the criminalisation of African Americans and the U.S. prison boom.
Five black teenagers in America were convicted of a crime they did not commit. A drama based on the true 1989 case. This is not an isolated incident.
Blogs to read
Deadly Bloggers has a directory of Indigenous Australian bloggers. There are blogs about politics, identity, feminism and day-to-day life. Check it out!
IndigenousX challenges stereotypes of the Indigenous community by supporting emerging artists and sharing stories from people around Australia.
Articles to check out
10 Ways to Engage with Indigenous Issues
10 Things You Should Know About White Privilege
Every Indigenous Australian Death in Custody
50 Years Since Indigenous Australians First Counted - Why Has So Little Changed
Australia Still Turns a Blind Eye to Aboriginal People Dying in Police Custody
Books to read
Growing Up Aboriginal in Australia Edited by Anita Heiss
An anthology showcasing diverse voices, experiences and stories about Indigenous experiences in Australia.
Bruce Pascoe counters colonial history (what we’re told at school) by exploring pre-colonial agriculture, engineering and construction.
Still celebrating Australia Day? It’s not okay. “As uncomfortable as it is, we need to reckon with our history. On January 26, no Australian can really look away.”
Non-Australian BLM education
A beautiful work of fiction set after the Civil War in America, exploring the lives of Sethe and her daughter after their escape from slavery.
Another Country by James Baldwin
James Baldwin gives us a snapshot of America in the sixties and the effect of racism on a young African American.
Why I’m No Longer Talking To White People About Race by Reni Eddo-Lodge
How are we complicit through language, media and politics? I haven't read this but I’ve heard it’s a must-read! It’s on my list.
Learn about language
Support organisations doing good
Common Ground shares First Nation peoples’ cultures, histories and lived experiences.
The Healing Foundation addresses the ongoing trauma caused by the forced removal of children from families and other atrocities.
ANTaR advocates for the justice, rights and respect of First Nations people.
Warriors of Aboriginal Resistance
Warriors of Aboriginal Resistance is working to decolonise Australia and revive Indigenous culture.
NATSIWA advocates and empowers the voices of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Women in Australia.
First Nations community members who are directly affected by forced child removals working to stop the ongoing Stolen Generations.
Donate to families fighting for justice
Western Australian Response to Poverty & Imprisonment
Single Indigenous mothers who have no criminal conviction end up in prison because they can’t pay a fine. Donate to help.
Justice for Yuendumu: Inquiry on Police Shooting
Kumanjayi Walker was shot by police three times in his home at Yuendumu on Saturday, 9 November 2019. He was 19 years old. Donate to support the cost of lawyers to facilitate an independent inquiry into the shooting.
Justice for David Dungay Junior
“I know that he died surrounded by six guards, gasping for air as he screamed for help. Parts of the episode were caught on video, so I had to watch my child’s last moments as he screamed ‘I can’t breathe!’ as the guards continued to press on his neck. I cannot describe how hard that was to watch.”
Help David’s mother cover the cost of legal expenses, accommodation and food while she campaigns for justice for David’s murder.
Another death in custody. Yorta Yorta woman Tanya Day suffered a devastating fall in a police cell. She passed away in hospital shortly after.
Events
Online: Aboriginal Cultural Awareness and Understanding Workshop
“Bridging the knowledge gap for more inclusive engagement with Australia’s First Peoples.”
Protest for the Black Lives Matter movement.
2 pm, Saturday 13 June, Hyde Park
Note:
This list is by no means exhaustive. There are so many other resources our there. I urge you to find more and engage. Do you know about something I don’t? Comment below and I will add it to the list!