En Passant

It says much about the state of Australian society today that we have a great footballer very possibly being hounded out of his job because he is black while a sleazy untrustworthy and biased politician who has allegedly abused entitlements for decades will in all probability keep her job of throwing Labor politicians out of Parliament.

The fact is that a clear majority of ordinary Aboriginal people are NOT interested in constitutional recognition! It is regarded by most Aboriginal people as a meaningless token gesture that will do nothing to alleviate the appalling imprisonment rates, shocking health statistics and complete lack of land rights and self-determination

Paddy Gibson writes: Uncle Ray was a key link binding together many groups and struggles here in Sydney, across Australia and indeed across the world. His compassion and patience welcomed many people into the struggle and ensured they had a meaningful role to play. His passing is a tragic blow. But he lives on in the struggle. Solidarity sends its condolences to all Ray’s friends, family and comrades. Rest in Peace with your ancestors my dear Uncle, you have earned this rest more than anyone.

Let’s unite and fight to stop the brutal war against Aborigines and Torres Strait Islanders now. Let’s start by stopping the genocidal closure of 150 Aboriginal communities in Western Australia. Let’s resist.

Driving Aboriginal people off their land is genocide. It has been going on since 1788 and this closure of up to 150 settlements in WA is the latest instalment. Evidently Tony Abbott has no trouble subsidising the lifestyle choices of rich white people.Speaking of remote communities, the Abbott government and Shorten Labor Opposition are the two communities totally removed from the reality of every day life for most workers and the poor. Why do we endlessly subsidise politicians in their lifestyle choices? Australia’s Prime Minister is an ignorant racist pig heading up a genocidal government and system.

Solidarity has a good article on the 50th anniversary of the Freedom Ride through New South Wales. As they say:

By commanding front-page publicity, the Freedom Ride put Aboriginal rights squarely on the national agenda. The oppression of Aboriginal people could no longer be swept under the carpet.

However, as they also point out:

While formal discrimination was largely abolished in the 1970s, it was shamefully re-introduced with the Northern Territory Intervention in 2007. Across the country the social position of Aboriginal people remains dire. Most of the problems observed by the Freedom Riders, shamefully, persist 50 years on—inadequate housing, water and medical services, police harassment and child removal.

To read the whole article click here.

Great Aboriginal rights activist Faith Bandler has died.   Here are two snippets from a farewell in Red Flag by Cathy Lewis. Faith Bandler was a member of the Communist Party, the Union of Australian Women, the Aborigines Progressive Association, the Australian Aborigines League and co-founder of the Australian Aboriginal Fellowship. Her activism in the […]

While the Australian flag is draped everywhere, and the speeches sing the praises of this supposedly free, multicultural society, the Indigenous owners live day in and day out with the consequences of the racism rooted in the colonial project of occupation writes Sandra Bloodworth in Red Flag.

How about a collective flag burning across Australia at noon on Invasion Day to celebrate opposition to genocide, murder, rape, torture and slavery?