High Court and the question of ‘Aliens.’
The Justices that formed the 4 to 3 majority held that an Aboriginal person is not within the reach of the aliens power. Accordingly, they determined that Mr Thoms could not be treated in accordance with the aliens power and has since been released from immigration detention where he has been held for 500 days.
It gets a little bit lonelier each week…
This is not just a matter of equity but a matter of humanity for individuals, families and communities. It is repugnant enough that people die younger through no fault of their own but to miss the opportunity to do so in a socially richer environment, where they can enjoy the quality time with family and grandchildren that others enjoy, denies them of some dignity.
To change the nation, we also need to change ourselves.
Changing the nation requires us blackfellas to also do our bit, and in the prevention of suicide among our mob it’s an important bit. But we must be on the same page. This means no longer treating mob as if they are not worthy of clinical interventions that everybody else has access to. This means no longer excluding Indigenous clinical expertise from the conversation.
#CHANGETHENATION: Don’t be racist
Studies on racism by health and social scientists have documented and measured the negative impact that everyday racisms have on a Murris’ wellbeing. Racism is a significant factor contributing to increased blood pressure; stress; and lower rates of access to health services. They’ve named the phenomena of everyday racisms as micro-aggressions. It’s an epidemic affecting most of the country, urgent action is required now.
Toxic patriotism is not the answer, change is
Patriotism that should be about a love of the land and people has become instead about a justification for bigotry and racism, about instilling hatred in the perceived ‘other’, and about providing a comfortable smokescreen for government looking after its own interests at the expense of the rest of us.
Colonisation has failed us all
With the urgency we have now to not only represent our First Nations and peoples but for the Australian nation holistically, it’s time to #ChangeTheNation our way. If Australia is genuine about listening to Indigenous voices then the power imbalance has to shift urgently
Indigenous Science Can Save Us
I can’t help but find hope in the history of this land. It has seen destruction before. And survived. Over and over again.
First Nations people have watched this land change, over tens of thousands of years. And they have adapted with it, both genetically and culturally.
Why we need to #ChangeTheNation
It is evident that Australia has no shortage of black expertise and leaders. What Australia does lack is the ability to centre these voices and leaders where we need them the most; in our policies, education, health and legal systems. Changing the date will not achieve anything while the nation itself is what needs to change.
