Defending the War Dance

 

 

There has been a lot of hype about Adam Goodes and the racism he is copping at the moment. Lets be real, it is racism, when those that are booing him, also call him names and they reacted with supposed fear when he did a war dance. Fear? Really? How can you be scared when there are so many of you and just one of him and he didn’t have a weapon.

The racists are justifying their actions by claiming he started it. They say that what to me is his pride in his culture, is in fact derisive and divisive, now I am not sure how that works. Is he supposed to be white? Is he supposed to forget his proud heritage? We as Aboriginal people have to constantly deal with racism. We are called lazy, drunks, whores and worse. We are told that we need to act more white and let the past be forgotten. Well the past is not pretty, but it is part of this nation and it’s what made us what we are.

So I put a comment after a story, when all the comments were negative and used the words “Abo” and “Boong”. Well of course this did not go down to well with many, so I have copied the article, my comments  and the responses. It makes interesting reading, and anyone who says they are not a racist, should really read this, because many of those who replied to me, say they are not racist.

Jetta performs war dance in Swans’ loss

© Getty Images As part of the routine, Jetta threw a make-believe spear at the crowd in an aggressive manner. An angry Lewis Jetta was simply sticking up for good friend Adam Goodes when he directed a war dance at West Coast fans, according to Sydney coach John Longmire.

Jetta angered a small section of the 38,760 Domain Stadium crowd when he celebrated a fourth-quarter goal with the indigenous war cry dance.

As part of the routine, Jetta threw a make-believe spear at the crowd in an aggressive manner.

After the match, Longmire revealed Jetta had performed the war cry in retaliation to the crowd’s relentless booing of fellow indigenous star Goodes, who has been copping similar abuse in venues around Australia.

“Look, he (Jetta) wanted to celebrate the goal and he wanted to stick up for a mate,” Longmire said after the 52-point loss.

“I spoke to him after the game and he was upset with the booing, and he’s had enough of it.

“Lewis is a young kid who has come to Sydney and Goodesy has been such a powerful figure for him.

“He’s pretty close to Goodesy … and he was reacting and trying to show some support for a mate of his.

“We understand what he’s doing. We understand that he’s been frustrated by it, and he wants to stick up for Adam.

“He doesn’t think that Adam deserves it.”

Goodes courted controversy himself in May when he directed a war dance towards a section of Carlton supporters after kicking a goal during the AFL’s Indigenous round.

Eagles coach Adam Simpson was surprised with how some members of the Eagles crowd had treated Goodes.

“I didn’t know what was going on there,” Simpson said.

“There were a couple of times I heard some booing and thought, ‘What was that?’

“I was sort of hoping we would be better than that.

“I’m sure it’s the minority, and for the most part we do respect Adam and who he stands for and what he does.”

The incident overshadowed another impressive performance by the Eagles, whose chances of locking down a top-two berth are improving by the week.

The Eagles’ midfield was once dubbed too slow and one-dimensional.

Not anymore.

Brownlow medallist Matt Priddis put in another best-on-field performance, while Andrew Gaff, Elliot Yeo, Chris Masten, Dom Sheed and Luke Shuey were also influential.

Ruckman Nic Naitanui caused all sorts of havoc in the air and at ground level, with forwards Jack Darling and Josh Kennedy kicking three goals apiece.

Sydney were dealt a huge blow before the match when Lance Franklin was forced to withdraw because of a back injury, with the marquee recruit joining fellow spearhead Kurt Tippett on the sidelines.

It left the Swans without their two main forward targets, but in the end it was their midfield that copped the biggest walloping in the 15.13 (103) to 7.9 (51) defeat.

The heavy loss comes just a week after Sydney copped an 89-point hiding at the hands of Hawthorn.

With three losses in their past five games, Sydney are on the slide.

Coll Lavelle ·

Pokémon University Of Kanto

Not surprised at the white comments against Aboriginal people. We have pride in being the oldest living culture. You whinge, because of a wardance? What about the Haka? Rugby League, is used to it’s Aboriginal players doing some part of a dance or corroboree, yet you lot find it scary and intimidating? You are the sooks and whingers, you are the people who put us down, and exclude us from the white mainstream society. Good on you Fella’s Keep the pride. Aboriginal for life

Like · Reply · 1 · 27 July 2015 07:37

Colin Johnston

Then go get a job and get ur head out of that fuel can.

Like · Reply · 27 July 2015 09:22

Vol Manger

Colin Johnston – Sorry Colin, i don’t understand your comment

Like · Reply · 27 July 2015 09:51

Aaron Hazell ·

Baroona Special School

This IS ONE Australia. Stop making excuses for yourselves and stand up as an Australian. These gestures by these footballers takes us back to the 1800’s. Blacks killed whites too you know? Lets get on with the 21st Century.

Like · Reply · 3 · 27 July 2015 10:35

Marcus Ch’ng

Bobby Despotovski (Perth Glory Soccer Club) got in allot of trouble for displaying a 3 finger victory salute which is a pro serbian sign. Why should we tolerate the indiginous war dance as “part of thier culture” but not tolerate Bobbys 3 finger salute? Also the booing is not racially motivated. There are countless other indiginous players in the league. Think about why you’re the only one who gets constantly booed. It’s not because you’re black. It’s because you’re a douche. Simple. For someone who was racially taunted his entire childhood it is extremely insulting to see you try and play the race card for your own personal gain. Grow up!!

Like · Reply · 27 July 2015 10:42

Luciano Martinez ·

Universidad de la Vida

good for him he is an aborijine and proud as he should be, he is real australian more than any one else the white were seconds remeber??.

Like · Reply · 27 July 2015 10:45

Luciano Martinez ·

Universidad de la Vida

Colin Johnston white people do that too in case you havent notice?

Like · Reply · 27 July 2015 10:52

Bruce Williams

Coll Lavelle I’m white and have lots of Abo friends both professional and social, you’re not the oldest living culture in the world you are part of the neanderthal spread out of Africa, “sooks and whingers !! put you down?”, you certainly aren’t doing yourself any favours, you are excluding yourself from mainstream and thats your problem, typical you just blame everyone else. “Keep the pride”? their behaviour along with yours is nothing to be proud of.

Like · Reply · 2 · 27 July 2015 13:11

Steven James Larkin

So, no ONE united Australia then?
Better off with all this divisive and so-called racist BS then?
Reconcilation is a crock of frogsh*t perhaps?
The apology means sweet FA perhaps?
FFS……are we EVER going to get our collective heads out of our a*ses, black or white, and move the f**k on instead of the incessant and divisive griping and whinging by everyone?
You’re Australian and so am I……so what if you’re Aboriginal and I’m White?
We’re AUSTRALIAN……first and foremost.

Like · Reply · 1 · 27 July 2015 19:02

Bruce Williams

Steven James Larkin they believe they are more Australian then we are, they dont realise the country does not belong to them just because they roamed it for a few thousand years. I’m sick of them treating us like we dont belong.

Like · Reply · 1 · 27 July 2015 19:33

NACCHO Aboriginal Health Alert : Suicide prevention information SURVEY and leaders meeting update

Read this and if you have had experiences please fill out the survey

NACCHO Aboriginal Health News Alerts

“The focus of the roundtable will be on how we can best reduce the incidence of mental health conditions and suicide, and improve social and emotional wellbeing among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, Indigenous health remains this nation’s most confronting health challenge, with mental health issues in need of urgent attention. We want this meeting to develop some clear, positive strategic direction,”

Senator Scullion speaking on behalf of the three federal government ministers who will sit down with Indigenous leaders and mental health advocates today ( Wednesday)  to tackle Indigenous mental health, which they say is the nation’s “most confronting health challenge”. See full story below

SURVEY INFO

Welcome to the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander suicide prevention information survey.

This survey is being conducted for the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Suicide Prevention Evaluation Project (ATSISPEP) – a national research project at the University of Western Australia (UWA) in partnership with Telethon Kids Institute…

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New Cancer

Just when I think all is getting better, my health is getting good, my mobility is excellent, my sight is great. I get knocked down again with the news of another cancer.

I had what was first diagnosed as a bone island in my jaw. Now the recent tests have shown that it is cancer. I have a  squamous cell carcinoma. What does this mean? Lets borrow from Dr Google to explain:

The most common tumor of the mandible and maxilla is squamous cell carcinoma invading the bone through dental sockets. These can involve any portion of the intraoral mandible or maxilla. Ameloblastoma, the most common epithelial odontogenic tumor, usually arises in the posterior mandible.

Now this would be alright if they had at first diagnosed it properly instead of saying it was a bone island. Also if I hadn’t been termed Terminal and had a lot of tests stopped they would have probably discovered it sooner. Instead I was told bone Island, nothing to worry about and then two years down the track get told that it’s a cancer.

So now the windmill turns again, and I have to go through it all again. Well actually I don’t they tell me that they have a good chance of cutting it out and then all will be hunky dory, and I will only have my old friend the Brain Tumour to worry about. Don’t you just love modern medicine!

So this official diagnosis

Osteosarcoma of the Jaw and Skull
Osteosarcoma of the craniofacial bones are relatively rare and represent less than 10% of all osteosarcomas. They typically occur in patients between the ages of 20 and 40 and have the same occurrence rate between males and females. The bones most commonly affected are the mandible (jaw bone) and the maxilla (cheek bone). Because they are located in the head and neck, they tend to be diagnosed earlier and can remain localized for longer periods of time; however, they are more difficult to remove surgically and therefore local recurrence is common.

Treatment of malignant osteosarcoma in the skull bones is similar of classic osteosarcoma. It should include preoperative chemotherapy. This is extremely important due to the limited margins available for surgical excision.

I know that I am not going to die from this, but really its just another burden on my body, my purse, my mental health and especially my children. We have just spent a few days together to get their heads around it and the whole surgery round about.

But lets not be down. Okay so this will mean that maybe I have to talk less, this would please my children and it will mean that I will have to really study, as I won’t be able to talk. Not looking forward to losing teeth, I like my teeth, they help me chew, talk and smile. But its a small price to pay and they tell me that I won’t lose all my teeth and that I can have false teeth. Just what I want, a set of teeth looking at me from the glass on my bedside table!

Oh well at least I will be able to do some of the tricks my Da did when I was a kid when he would push his teeth out and make them chomp!

I hope that you all take care of your selves and remember get everything checked out.

Thank you

Answering Gary Johns and the Merchants of Myths

Where is the outrage about these comments?

1 Deadly Nation

In 2015 in appears you can still call Aboriginal women animals and barely raise an eyebrow.

“Look, a lot of poor women in this country, a large proportion of whom are Aboriginal, are used as Cash cows, right” Mr Johns said. “They are kept pregnant and producing children for the cash. Now, that has to stop.”

Were these comments backed up with facts? No, Plucked straight from the Encyclopaedia Moronica! That’s one of the great benefits of being a bigoted loud mouth, your only source need be your pea sized brain! But enough with the insults…, well actually, no. Because insults are exactly what the likes of Johns, Bolt and Alan Jones trade in. These are the people who are found by courts to be racists, stand behind “Ditch the Witch” signs and ponder out loud as to whether female Prime Ministers should be forcibly drowned. So it is with…

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Cultural Appropriation Vs Compelled Culture

Cultural appropriation is commonly used when describing white society, stealing and using another cultures behaviours. It’s become more predominate as the years have gone by with so many musicians acting like they are African-American. A perfect example is Iggy Azalea, who comes from Australia, uses make up to look less pale and raps with a deeper tone and with a southern accent.

Cultural appropriation is all around us when we look at music and we see how stars act and dress. We hear Actors sounding like they come from the “Streets”, yet the closest they have been is Sesame Street.

Pants down low is all around us. But when a person purposely copies another culture to make themselves more saleable and more in tune with what ever the latest fad is just adds to the wrongness of this.

When people argue that they are not Culturally appropriating and that usually the argument is directed at Black people they point out that English, the Bible, western Clothing etc. Well there is a big difference between Cultural appropriating and what I call Compelled Culture. That is that missionaries, Guns etc. used against many cultures, African, Native American, Polynesian, Aboriginal is forced. We had no say in what we wanted. We have tried to maintain our cultures in the face of these adversities, this then makes the cultural appropriation all the more stinging. We have all had to fight to keep our identities and our cultures. We have been looked down upon and spat upon for our colour, race, creed. But we have fought proudly to maintain our culture.

We fought to keep it for what? To have the ignorant show up at places with Native American Head dresses, and not understand the importance of it? The wearing of Bindi’s as a fashion item, Braiding, rapping, talking like you come from the hood? Even here in Australia. Wearing something Aboriginal without understanding the meaning. Getting tribal tattoo’s  without having any concept of what they mean to the Maori people. Japanese words, to show how Zen you are? I scoff at this. This is Cultural Appropriation this is blatantly stealing to make yourself look cool. You are not acknowledging the problems of these people and you are not doing anything to help these people and the problems they face, but you just walk along with your extended ear lobes and believe that your spirit is a wolf, while you down you double soy latte.

Remember what many nations have fought to keep. What we have had to hide from the white man (if they found out it led to imprisonment or worse) our cultures that you just wear to look cool.

There is a difference between Cultural Appropriation and Compelled Culture. One is your choice, the other is people who had no choice.

 

#WhiteGirlsDoitBetter

To see that twitter and snap chat are overrun with the #WhiteGirlsDoitBetter had me bewildered at first. I read an awful lot of the tweets and saw that what has started as something from a “White Girl” had blown up in her face. It became something that people who are not white were all retagging and putting in their own thoughts and reminders of how well People of Colour are doing.

This Tag didn’t just offend African-Americans, it offended Black people around the world, including our own Aboriginal People. Reading the tweets it offended people who are Latino, Asian, Indian, Middle Eastern and Native American.

The reason apparently by reading some of the tweets was to empower White Women, well that’s not empowering if you are raising yourself up at the expense of other women.

The supporters showed pictures of Iggy Azalea, Taylor Swift and others, but for every picture they posted, the reply was to show pictures of the same people and how they have appropriated “Black Culture” to help them get ahead. Which let’s be honest, is not really good. If you don’t have that cultural background you should tread carefully and make sure that what you are doing is culturally appropriate. For example the constant usage of Native American jewellery and Head Dress at Coachella and other stunts to bring the media to pay attention.

But overall bringing down women who are not white to make your self feel better shows how much privilege you have that you don’t even understand that what you are saying is demeaning. This is totally different to Black Pride, which is about being proud of who you are, not at the expense of running down other races, it’s about sharing the knowledge and recognising the  past and paying tribute to those who have brought us to where we are today. It’s also about maintaining pride in your race and not losing yourself to the modern traps of life.

I think every girl does it better is a much more powerful cry, all women together to help each other, to stand side by side. To help stop, rape, child molestation, prison incarceration. To also make the feminist movement actually realise that we are not all white middle class. Yep I have a few problems with the feminist movement they don’t include other cultures and totally ignore LGBTQI.

But back to the point, with all the problems in the world this is just adding fuel to the fire of racism.

What makes a mother?

I freely admit I am not the mother of the year. But I am always trying to do the best for my children. I wonder how some mothers and fathers can let their children down?

I have recently had dealings with a mother who was a drug addict and who was not really mother material. In between her vagueing out from over prescribing her prescription drugs, she only wanted to party. Her children, who are such beautiful kids have had to suffer from this.

The mum was more worried about herself than her kids. Her children had to be re-taught toilet training and proper eating. For her, if she got up on time or if we moved her, breakfast was what she ate, not her kids unless we fed them. But she would buy chocolates on the way to school.

She would sit down and eat lunch and not bother with giving the kids anything but would constantly give them lollies, chocolates and soft drinks. The saddest thing which I will talk about was watching her 6 year old daughter making her own sandwiches and treats for her birthday, while mum was watching shows on her laptop. That little girl deserves so much better than that. In fact every child does.

She would let these little kids watch shows like The Walking Dead and Ugly Americans. This   to my way of thinking is not suitable for a 6 and 7 year old. Those kids had problems, but mum didn’t care. She had trained them up, so that they could lie to Child Protection.

I don’t understand how some parents can just be not there for their kids. I know of a young guy who is fighting hard to see his child, while another has time with his child but always has things to do and places to go, so his child misses out on this time.

Why do we have some people able to have kids and not treat them like humans, they treat their kids like an animal or an inconvenience and then you have some incredible people who would be wonderful parents unable to have children?

I am stumped if I can work out the reason why this is the case. I think Children are a blessing, even if they are annoying, fight, fuss and do all the things kids do. All children should be loved and treated with respect. Parents can’t always do everything, or buy everything, but if you are there for them and let them know they are loved. Teach them how to be responsible and respectful. Is that asking too much? No not really.

You might think that I am holding a big judgement here, but I have seen to many dysfunctional families, I have seen too many bad parents and dead beat parents. I wish there was a way to give those who really wish for kids and who would take care of them properly to have them, and of course those that don’t act like a real parent to not have kids.

Simplistic? yeah, but hey it’s about making sure that the children get the best possible chance and life than can have.