Aboriginal Rights.
There are so many things that could be said about this issue. However, I have decided to talk about just one, which is when Gough Whitlam gave back land rights to the Gurindji people.
Today I went to the National Portrait Gallery. There they had the image shown above. We were explained the story behind the photograph. The Girindji people fought for 7 or 8 years for the rights to their land. In the mid 1960's Vincent Lingiari lead the 'walk-off' from a cattle station in a fight for simple rights such as adequate wages. Vincent Lingiari inspired the ballad 'From Little Things, Big Things Grow" written by Paul Kelly.
In the photograph above, Gough Whitlam (the current prime minister of the time) is handing dirt to Vincent Lingiari. This is symbolic to Whitlam giving back the land to the Gurindji people.
Although the actual handing over of the land was done about half an hour before this photograph was taken, the photograph still captures a moment towards equality.
I find this image to be quite powerful (when it is framed a little more beautifully than this). I think this was a real step towards equality.
The image really does say it all without having to know the story.
If you want to know more about what has been done for Aboriginal rights over time, I would suggest this site. It's a timeline of reconciliation.
4 comments:
It's really good that people are working on equality throughout the world.
Since the magna carta was officialy introduced and distributed in 1215, human rights have been improving.
The recognition of other cultures in our workplaces is also very good as more people have employment oppertunities.
If you went to an office about 10 years ago, the majority of employees would have been white/ caucasion, now you see indians. aboriginals, africans, mexicans etc.
how amazingly awesome! the workplace diversity is a pretty good change. oh and also equality in workplaces....
so that doesnt make too much sense....but GO THE HUMAN RIGHTS MOVEMENT!!!
previous comment by moni
Thanks for your input Moni! Yeah, it's true. Things have come a long way from before, but there is still more things to do.
Racism. It's stupid.
Hey.
I did try to comment a week ago but it didn't work!
I went to the portrait gallery and I am pretty sure I saw the photograph you are talking about. Although I went for a different reason(to check out your Mum's cakes:P) I would recommend that everybody go and have a look!
I still find it annoying how everybody says that Aboriginals don't deserve any of the things they get. I disagree completely. Although we did not take their land away, we should still have to make up for what the people before us have done. I think it is fantastic that Kevin Rudd had the official sorry day. Although it took a long time, at least he did it.
I hope more will be done soon!
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