Today there is some concern about the quarantine of cash for use on welfare cards so that indigenous persons cannot waste money on alcohol and drugs. It is claimed to be working whatever that means. It is not on the surface a self determined solution, but there are claims that the current Federal Government will not or cannot release the names of indigenous leaders who support this welfare card solution. The government says many of these leaders do not want their names released. I must say I can believe this as there are nuances in Aboriginal culture that might make this true and too many Australians make no attempt to understand these nuances or are ignorant of them.
Again over the last weekend during the football clash between Port Adelaide and Adelaide there were dreadful and callous racial slurs made by fans at the game towards two indigenous football stars. Racism is alive and well in my country and sits just under the surface breaking out every now and then. Not good enough.
May the Force for racial tolerance be amongst us all!
GD
