Disadvantages experience by Indigenous people prior to 1960
Topic Sentence: Indigenous and Torres Strait Islander people experienced a multitude of disadvantages prior to 1960.
Elaboration: Prior to 1960 Australia was colonised and under the law of ‘Terra-Nullius’, the Indigenous people of Australia lost all ownership of the land that they had inhabited for over 50,000 years.
Evidence: From the mid nineteenth century onwards the Australian government implemented the policy of Protection. This policy forced Indigenous people onto reserves which were controlled by the Europeans. The Protection Board controlled access to wages and forbid the Indigenous people to practise their own traditions. In 1914 the Australian government introduced a new policy titled ‘The Assimilation Policy’. Under this policy Indigenous people were forced to adopt the cultural customs of Europeans and told to forget their own. Under this policy the Stolen Generation occurred. This entailed the forced removal of ‘half-caste’ children from their homes and enrolment into missions. These missions aimed to domesticate the Indigenous children and teach them about Christianity.
Link: Therefore, it is evident that…
TEEL TWO
Protest methods
Topic sentence: The protest methods used in the American Civil Rights were replicated in Australia by the Indigenous Activist.
Elaboration: The American Civil Rights were gaining international attention through the prolific use of televisions and communication networks. The Indigenous Australians were inspired by the impact of the sit-ins and freedom rides as methods of protest against discrimination.
Evidence: Sit-ins were used in America as early as 1958. One example of a successful sit-in occurred in Kanas at Dockum Drugstore. The African Americans were unable to enter the store due to segregation, but in July the African Americans sat in the store silently. The protest resulted in the store becoming integrated. This protest method was replicated by a group of Indigenous activists in 1972 when they created the tent embassy out the front of Parliament House in Canberra.
A further protest method adopted by Indigenous Australians was Freedom Rides. On May 4th 1961 a small group of African American and white civil rights activists set out on a bus and created The Freedom Riders. The Freedom Riders travelled throughout Southern U.S.A to raise awareness of racial divisions and discrimination. Indigenous people saw how effective it was and replicated the idea. Four years later a group of Sydney University students travelled on a bus to different t rural towns in Australia. This brought attention to the way Indigenous people were treated by the Australian public. It is therefore evident that the American Civil Rights influenced the protest methods that Indigenous activists employed.
TEEL Three
In 1965 the Australian Freedom Rides replicated the American protest methods in hope to raise awareness of racial divisions and racial discrimination in Australian rural towns.
Elaboration: The purpose of the freedom rides was to attract national and international media coverage of the discrimination that existed in Australia towards Australian Indigenous persons. Charles Perkins, along with thirty students from Sydney University, embarked on a tour to rural NSW towns on the 12th of February.
Evidence: On the 15th of February the Freedom Rides arrived at Walgett RSL who had banned Aboriginal servicemen from entering the establishment. The first demonstration that was carried out at the RSL was the barricading of the RSL club which resulted in Charles Perkins being denied usage of the RSL bar and was rejected on the basis of his race. The riders also paraded in front of the RSL with placards and signs. This encouraged an abundance of media attention which was broadcasted nation- wide. This media coverage drew attention to the discrimination and segregation that Indigenous Australian’s were experiencing. The riders then moved onto Moree to attract attention to the racial divisions that permeated the rural town. The activists congregated outside the baths with a group of local Indigenous children to demand entry. The activists were granted entry after twenty five minutes by the manager. The de-segregation of the Moree baths was publicly celebrated in many newspapers and news reports which further encouraged critical discussion about racial divisions in Australia.
Therefore, the freedom rides played an irrevocable role in the mass publication of de-segregating Australia’s rural towns and breaking down century old ideals of racism.
Significance of the Referendum
The 1967 Referendum played an imperative role in redefining the constitution that aimed at further de-segregating Indigenous Australian’s from the wider Australian community. Before May 27th 1967, the constitution of Australia prevented the Federal Government from making laws for Indigenous people, and excluded Indigenous persons from being counted in the census. Under Section 51 the Constitution stated “…the aboriginal people in any State, for whom it is necessary to make special laws”. This section meant that the Federal Government could make laws for anyone in Australia except its Indigenous population. Ninety per cent of the Australian public voted in the referendum to have the previously stated section removed. Secondly the Constitution before the Referendum, stated under Section 127 that “…aboriginal natives should not be counted” in the census. This section, as a result of the Referendum was completely removed. The Referendum was significant in Australia’s fight for equality and justice and is a symbolic turning point revealing a widespread desire for change. The Referendum had a lasting impact on Indigenous policies enabling changes in Land Right Acts in subsequent years. Therefore, the Referendum is a monumental achievement in Australia’s history because ninety per cent voted in favour of Indigenous rights, highlighting the fact that the people of Australia wanted equality.
Conclusion
2-3 sentences in which you RESTATE and REMIND
It is therefore evident that the Civil Rights movements of the 1960’s lead to greater support for Indigenous rights and freedoms in Australia. As a result of the replication of the protest methods in America, the Australian Freedom Rides were able to successfully raise awareness of segregation, discrimination and racism. This greater national awareness lead to the overturning of the Australian constitution in 1967 which aimed to empower Indigenous Australians through law changes.
Today
- FINALISE ESSAY
- Prepare cheat sheet
- TOMORROW: exam simulation
- Assessment Task due date MONDAY 27th MONDAY- double period.