Re: An Aboriginal day today
 

i don;t know much about it but here's a link or two
http://www.bloorstreet.com/300block/ablawleg.htm#11
http://www.aic.gov.au/topics/indigen...es/custom.html

Re: An Aboriginal day today
 

All i got to say is Ab'original' Australians!!! Who was there first!!:p

S-j x Good post Why...... Although got to say i dont always agree with you, but am definatly with you on this important issue.. Nice one...

Re: An Aboriginal day today
 

Yes, same here, I am with ya too.
Aboriginees have been here for 60 000 years!! Thats a fine long time.
I'm really interested in bush medicine and food etc too- I really hope that their important knowledge doesnt die out!

Bixy,
Hi ya!! :)

In the communities I'm familiar with, the mainstream law is enforced most of the time..but yeah, there's also the issue of striking the balance between their ways/beliefs etc and mainstreams´, and also sorting out what is really "tradition" as opposed to what has become a symptom of other complex modern factors which impact the community and its members. From a police perspective, you have to maintain some order, but also have to be culture smart at the same time. Cross cultural knowledge and being on friendly terms comes in handy in those sorts of situations. Good to hear from ya.

Re: An Aboriginal day today
 

I think it is officially recognised in that an aboriginal will receive a lesser sentence in the "official" court of law because the judge knows that when the sentence is served the person will return to their village and receive "tribal justice" which often involves multiple spearings in the legs. :ohmy:

Re: An Aboriginal day today
 

Now that's gonna sting!

Re: An Aboriginal day today
 

Yes, I often wonder how many of the wide eyed newbies to this great southern land know of things like tribal spearings or the appalling sexual abuse of children in aboriginal communities.

Re: An Aboriginal day today
 

You are correct that if it is a personal observation that it is not a racist comment but... the fact is that in today's PC society it is OK to say

'Aboriginal children develop quicker than white children by three months'

But not acceptable to say (also if this was the result of a personal observation)

'White children develop quicker than Aboriginal children'

This statement would instantly be labeled as a racist.

I personally think that many of the Aboriginal peoples problems stem from this different treatment. This unfortunately leads to a 'Them and Us' mentality (especially amongst the Rednecks) which due to demographics will always result in the Aboriginals coming off second best. People should be treated equally regardless of race gender age etc

Re: An Aboriginal day today
 

Quite, because sexual abuse of children doesnt happen anywhere else does it ? ;)

Where I lived 9 years ago a repeat offender Paedophile was released into a community, rife with children, in fact he was placed in Gov housing 4 doors away from a School. Public outrage ensued and national papers got involved to oust him. My Local MP released a statement that supported the community and he also released Government figures that for every 19 households in the UK, 1 housed a Paedophile. He then resigned his position for realeasing the figures without authority.

My point is, this goes on everywhere and anywhere, as does every other crime known to man. The Aboriginals are not original in that sense, although they are original to Australia. White Aussies should be reminded of their heritage when quick to knock Abbos.

Re: An Aboriginal day today
 

Basketball - "white men can't jump" - OK.
Boxing - "never bet on the white guy" - OK.
Black people make better sprinters because of racial differences - Racist.

Re: An Aboriginal day today
 

You realise that you'll get jumped on by the PC crowd for the use of the word Abbo.

Re: An Aboriginal day today
 

I'd like to know who you think the PC crowd is. Please lets all not start debating what is and isn't a racist word again, we've done that a thousand times and always ends up with the thread being closed.

On a more general term, if not liking a word said that causes another individual to become hurt by it's use is being PC, then yes I'm PC. (even though I don't consider myself to be)

Re: An Aboriginal day today
 

And I take it that's you ;)

I'm not racist (see the rest of my post) I'm sticking up for them ;)

Re: An Aboriginal day today
 

Agree with this Arkon. I always try to avoid using language that will upset others. It should depend on it being something that will genuinely upset people though and not something that some self appointed guardians think might hypothetically upset someone.

Re: An Aboriginal day today
 

I agree.

If there are any Aboriginals on this forum, whom I have offended by using that word, I apologise and intended no malice. I am not racist. I make no apologies to the 'self appointed ones' whom it doesn't refer to.

One of my most treasured possessions is a fantastic picture painted for me by an Aboriginal child and something I look at often and think to myself "what a shame that the majority of white/british children (my own included) don't have the same passion to paint like that"

Re: An Aboriginal day today
 

Mally Lass, if you don't want to upset anyone the current "term de jour" is Indiginous Australians