How do i answer this

[Wedgie]

Wedgie are you indigenous?


(Genuine question with nothing extra attached, just wondered)

I'm of indigenous descent mate (only found out in my 20s) , my father was one of the stolen generation.
Scientifically speaking (which can be frowned upon) I'm 1/8th indigenous.
I'm also 1/4 Irish but the rest is Anglo.

[Wedgie]

When it seems the objective is to integrate

White people tried that through various means for a couple of hundred years, thank goodness we're well past those terrible days and it is NO longer the objective.
It's not about integrating, it's about evening the gap that exists.

In attempting to reduce the gap, non indigenous people need to get a better understanding of indigenous culture, how can this happen when a figurative wall ( and in some cases an actual wall ) is built between children, the ones who are the future ( teach them well and let them lead the way ) and the ones who are best placed to learn without preconceived ideas?

I think creating these divides perpetuates the "us and them" attitude that, sadly, uneducated parents are instilling in their children at home.

A good post Boon. I myself am considering if I can do either the Cultural Awareness Program ran by the Power or something similar as I'd consider myself quite ignorant on a lot of indigenous matters. The courses we have at work aren't fantastic. I'd encourage others to do similar.

[Booney]

http://www.portadelaidefc.com.au/community/aboriginal

[Wedgie]

http://www.portadelaidefc.com.au/community/aboriginal

Yeah I've already looked it up but it seems more tailored for groups.

[The Bedge]

Scientifically speaking (which can be frowned upon) I'm 1/8th indigenous. I'm also 1/4 Irish but the rest is Anglo.

This is one of my pet hates - people who refer to themselves in fractions Which 1/8th of you is indig? is it your hand? Is it your foot? Which part is Irish - is it your leg? Is it your temper?

People should be proud of their heritage where ever they're from, and view their lineage equally.. if people feel the need to break it down a bit more for people you can always detail where that background comes from e.g. Aboriginal on my fathers side, Irish from my mums side, and my grandparents were English.

[stampy]

so i should tell my lad that its one rule for white people and another for the indigenous people?? and i should also pretend that i agree with all this tripe like a lot of misguided people are??

Are you actually being fair dinkum or fishing for a bite here?

deadly serious, people like yourself cant see the woods for the trees, you say i should tell my kids to put up with unfair treatment! are you fair dinkum?!

as for doubting what happened when my 18yr old was in high school, why am i not surprised

[Booney]

http://www.portadelaidefc.com.au/community/aboriginal

Yeah I've already looked it up but it seems more tailored for groups.

Flick Paul Vandenbergh an email, I'd say it's likely a group would need a spot filled at some point ( if they have a minimum number for the group programs ) or there may be people, like you, who want to attend a program but not as part of a group.

[JK]

Scientifically speaking (which can be frowned upon) I'm 1/8th indigenous. I'm also 1/4 Irish but the rest is Anglo.

This is one of my pet hates - people who refer to themselves in fractions Which 1/8th of you is indig? is it your hand? Is it your foot? Which part is Irish - is it your leg? Is it your temper?

Having seen the man drink, Im tipping the Irish part is his Liver ...

[The Bedge]

deadly serious, people like yourself cant see the woods for the trees, you say i should tell my kids to put up with unfair treatment! are you fair dinkum?!

Listen bud, don't even act like you have any sort of idea what it's like to be a young aboriginal lad growing up. You talk about preferential treatment and different rules for different people, but you have absolutely no idea - you see what you want to see, you believe what you want to believe!

I grew up in a single parent household, one of 4 kids that my mum raised on her own. She had no job, or license and had depression issues which then resulted in a alcohol dependency. Despite this, was still fed, cleaned, clothed and had a roof over our heads and were grateful for what we had.

Went to a primary school where I was the only aboriginal kid, and there was one kid from Iran and the rest were white kids from affluent households and parents who openly would look down on people who were different. If it wasn't hard enough fitting in as the only black kid, there was the embarrassment that came with not having the money others had - not being able to afford to go on camps or trips or whatever, not having the latest Nike shoes or whatever.. it's not easy fitting in with your peers, and kids can be incredibly cruel at times.

People couldn't relate because they weren't or didn't experience these things, and constantly had to deal with the stigma that all aboriginals were lazy, disrespectful no hopers who got everything given to them on a platter and constant hand outs. It reached a point where I was beginning to feel embarrassed and ashamed of my background. Being the butt of every aboriginal joke going around, being called a "boong" or a "coon" wasn't a great feeling.

There were no support networks at school, I was constantly in trouble for being the class clown and rapidly heading in the wrong direction because it was easier for the school to suspend me than anything else, and my distain and lack of interest/respect for school and learning environments reflected how I perceived their interest in me.

I've seen other families/communities that are low socio-economic that have it a lot worse than what I had it, and the barriers they have to overcome just to get to school in the first place.. don't underestimate just how difficult that can be sometimes on its own.

I'm not saying these rooms are the perfect answer in schools, but do not for one minute think that aboriginal students are put on a pedestal above your own, and that they are receiving preferential treatment - you don't have any idea what these kids are dealing with behind the scenes or at home, and until you understand the difficulties surrounding growing up in that environment then you'll never really know what it's like.

Despite what people believe happens to black people, I never got hand outs, I never got preferential treatment, I did everything the hard way. I work hard, I pay tax, I contribute to society and I'm determined to make sure my children get the best upbringing that can get, and in turn they continue on with their kids and make a better life in the long run. That includes being open minded and accepting of other people and cultures whilst also being very proud of their own.

Harped on long enough, probably haven't even made any sense and gone off topic - the bottom line is though if schools etc. don't TRY something to help these kids change or improve then they are only contributing to prolonging the problem longer, and then your kids and grandkids will still perceive aboriginal people in the same light that many other rednecks do still... and it's a vicious roundabout that continues on and on..

No one is perfect, no "race" is perfect - I'm sure there are plenty of Anglo-Saxon kids in schools that act the same way and probably have similar setups at some schools.

[Wedgie]

so i should tell my lad that its one rule for white people and another for the indigenous people?? and i should also pretend that i agree with all this tripe like a lot of misguided people are??

Are you actually being fair dinkum or fishing for a bite here?

deadly serious, people like yourself cant see the woods for the trees, you say i should tell my kids to put up with unfair treatment! are you fair dinkum?!

as for doubting what happened when my 18yr old was in high school, why am i not surprised

Stampy, I think we can all see that you weren't really asking advice and had preconceived ideas which weren't going to change no matter what was said whilst also wanting to stir the pot. I hope you take some of the information on board and educate yourself and your children a little bit more as a result though mate, it's never too late to improve yourself as a person, all the best.

[Wedgie]

Thanks for sharing your story Zartan.

[Brodlach]

Thanks Zartan

[Footy Chick]

deadly serious, people like yourself cant see the woods for the trees, you say i should tell my kids to put up with unfair treatment! are you fair dinkum?!

Listen bud, don't even act like you have any sort of idea what it's like to be a young aboriginal lad growing up. You talk about preferential treatment and different rules for different people, but you have absolutely no idea - you see what you want to see, you believe what you want to believe!

I grew up in a single parent household, one of 4 kids that my mum raised on her own. She had no job, or license and had depression issues which then resulted in a alcohol dependency. Despite this, was still fed, cleaned, clothed and had a roof over our heads and were grateful for what we had.

Went to a primary school where I was the only aboriginal kid, and there was one kid from Iran and the rest were white kids from affluent households and parents who openly would look down on people who were different. If it wasn't hard enough fitting in as the only black kid, there was the embarrassment that came with not having the money others had - not being able to afford to go on camps or trips or whatever, not having the latest Nike shoes or whatever.. it's not easy fitting in with your peers, and kids can be incredibly cruel at times.

People couldn't relate because they weren't or didn't experience these things, and constantly had to deal with the stigma that all aboriginals were lazy, disrespectful no hopers who got everything given to them on a platter and constant hand outs. It reached a point where I was beginning to feel embarrassed and ashamed of my background. Being the butt of every aboriginal joke going around, being called a "boong" or a "coon" wasn't a great feeling.

There were no support networks at school, I was constantly in trouble for being the class clown and rapidly heading in the wrong direction because it was easier for the school to suspend me than anything else, and my distain and lack of interest/respect for school and learning environments reflected how I perceived their interest in me.

I've seen other families/communities that are low socio-economic that have it a lot worse than what I had it, and the barriers they have to overcome just to get to school in the first place.. don't underestimate just how difficult that can be sometimes on its own.

I'm not saying these rooms are the perfect answer in schools, but do not for one minute think that aboriginal students are put on a pedestal above your own, and that they are receiving preferential treatment - you don't have any idea what these kids are dealing with behind the scenes or at home, and until you understand the difficulties surrounding growing up in that environment then you'll never really know what it's like.

Despite what people believe happens to black people, I never got hand outs, I never got preferential treatment, I did everything the hard way. I work hard, I pay tax, I contribute to society and I'm determined to make sure my children get the best upbringing that can get, and in turn they continue on with their kids and make a better life in the long run. That includes being open minded and accepting of other people and cultures whilst also being very proud of their own.

Harped on long enough, probably haven't even made any sense and gone off topic - the bottom line is though if schools etc. don't TRY something to help these kids change or improve then they are only contributing to prolonging the problem longer, and then your kids and grandkids will still perceive aboriginal people in the same light that many other rednecks do still... and it's a vicious roundabout that continues on and on..

No one is perfect, no "race" is perfect - I'm sure there are plenty of Anglo-Saxon kids in schools that act the same way and probably have similar setups at some schools.

and now this guy has a better job than me.

[HH3]

deadly serious, people like yourself cant see the woods for the trees, you say i should tell my kids to put up with unfair treatment! are you fair dinkum?!

Listen bud, don't even act like you have any sort of idea what it's like to be a young aboriginal lad growing up. You talk about preferential treatment and different rules for different people, but you have absolutely no idea - you see what you want to see, you believe what you want to believe!

I grew up in a single parent household, one of 4 kids that my mum raised on her own. She had no job, or license and had depression issues which then resulted in a alcohol dependency. Despite this, was still fed, cleaned, clothed and had a roof over our heads and were grateful for what we had.

Went to a primary school where I was the only aboriginal kid, and there was one kid from Iran and the rest were white kids from affluent households and parents who openly would look down on people who were different. If it wasn't hard enough fitting in as the only black kid, there was the embarrassment that came with not having the money others had - not being able to afford to go on camps or trips or whatever, not having the latest Nike shoes or whatever.. it's not easy fitting in with your peers, and kids can be incredibly cruel at times.

People couldn't relate because they weren't or didn't experience these things, and constantly had to deal with the stigma that all aboriginals were lazy, disrespectful no hopers who got everything given to them on a platter and constant hand outs. It reached a point where I was beginning to feel embarrassed and ashamed of my background. Being the butt of every aboriginal joke going around, being called a "boong" or a "coon" wasn't a great feeling.

There were no support networks at school, I was constantly in trouble for being the class clown and rapidly heading in the wrong direction because it was easier for the school to suspend me than anything else, and my distain and lack of interest/respect for school and learning environments reflected how I perceived their interest in me.

I've seen other families/communities that are low socio-economic that have it a lot worse than what I had it, and the barriers they have to overcome just to get to school in the first place.. don't underestimate just how difficult that can be sometimes on its own.

I'm not saying these rooms are the perfect answer in schools, but do not for one minute think that aboriginal students are put on a pedestal above your own, and that they are receiving preferential treatment - you don't have any idea what these kids are dealing with behind the scenes or at home, and until you understand the difficulties surrounding growing up in that environment then you'll never really know what it's like.

Despite what people believe happens to black people, I never got hand outs, I never got preferential treatment, I did everything the hard way. I work hard, I pay tax, I contribute to society and I'm determined to make sure my children get the best upbringing that can get, and in turn they continue on with their kids and make a better life in the long run. That includes being open minded and accepting of other people and cultures whilst also being very proud of their own.

Harped on long enough, probably haven't even made any sense and gone off topic - the bottom line is though if schools etc. don't TRY something to help these kids change or improve then they are only contributing to prolonging the problem longer, and then your kids and grandkids will still perceive aboriginal people in the same light that many other rednecks do still... and it's a vicious roundabout that continues on and on..

No one is perfect, no "race" is perfect - I'm sure there are plenty of Anglo-Saxon kids in schools that act the same way and probably have similar setups at some schools.

and now this guy has a better job than me.

Probably got handed to him when he yelled at his boss

(is that enough winkys to signify a joke?)

[MW]

For your sake I hope so!

[Dogwatcher]

There was a room where blokes could go for relief.

There were great spots at uni where you could hide away with a lucky lady for that sort of thing - no specific room, though.

[HH3]

For what it's worth, if you can't understand why some children need certain privileges because of their background/home situation, then you probably shouldn't be the one trying to explain it to your kids.

Contact the school if it's that much of a problem for your child, and I'm sure they would make every effort to help you out.

Also, as Wedgie says, kids these days are much more understanding than they used to be (even back in my primary school days in the 90's). My younger brother is 13, and he has a male friend at school that thinks he may be attracted to other boys. That friend felt comfortable enough to tell his whole circle of friends, and they all accept it, no questions asked, because he is their friend.

If someone explains things rationally to the child (again, you're probably not the guy to do it), they might grasp the reality of what these kids are actually going through on a daily basis. If Dad's saying the black kids are getting hand outs at home, of course the kids gonna take their Dads opinion as gospel, and the divide stays intact.

[stampy]

so i should tell my lad that its one rule for white people and another for the indigenous people?? and i should also pretend that i agree with all this tripe like a lot of misguided people are??

Are you actually being fair dinkum or fishing for a bite here?

deadly serious, people like yourself cant see the woods for the trees, you say i should tell my kids to put up with unfair treatment! are you fair dinkum?!

as for doubting what happened when my 18yr old was in high school, why am i not surprised

Stampy, I think we can all see that you weren't really asking advice and had preconceived ideas which weren't going to change no matter what was said whilst also wanting to stir the pot. I hope you take some of the information on board and educate yourself and your children a little bit more as a result though mate, it's never too late to improve yourself as a person, all the best.

patronise me all you like wedgie, that has always been your go,

stir the pot you say?? it was a legitimate question from a primary school child,


i need to educate myself you say, you mean fall into line and just stfu and let this rubbish continue

improve myself as a person? you dont know me sunshine, you have always disliked me because i dont succumb to your bully boy tactics, maybe look in the mirror, glenleg oval a few years back carrying on like a fool and then bragging about it to anyone who would listen......give me a break about improving myself

[stampy]

oh and as usual its the do gooders with the loudest voices

can anyone please explain why being disrespectful and being disobedient then be rewarded for it does anyone any good??????

sorry for not being one of the silent magority

[HH3]

If you've ever seen me discuss something with Wedgie, we're usually butting heads, not agreeing.

Don't ask a question if you already think you know the answer.