17thJune 2010
Dear Editor,
Those who seek to point fingers and cast aspersions upon Timana Tahu for his brave stance in shaming the forlorn and pathetic Andrew Johns need to wake up to themselves.
It is an offence under the Racial Hatred Act 1995 (which is subservient to the Racial Discrimination Act 1975) to single out an individual or group based upon skin colour, nationality, religion or cultural background.
It must also be pointed out that it is an urban myth that white folk can’t take action against racial discrimination. Under the terms set out under the 1995 Act, any individual or group - regardless of skin colour - can forward a complaint to the Australian Human Rights Commission. Penalties for public vilification are severe.
That people may have gotten away with insulting Indigenous Australians 40 years ago is no justification for vilification.
Some say: “I called Aborigines all sorts of things years ago and no one said a thing”. It wasn’t OK then as it isn’t OK now. Indigenous Australians were non-citizens in their own land and had no legal recourse of action prior to 1975.
“If I want to call an Aborigine a black so-and-so I will” is a stoop to the lowest ebb of self respect.
“Grow thick skin and get over it” is a cop out that fails to put the shoe on the other foot.
When faced with a unified and strong voice, those meek of character, those who harbour small-minded prejudices, those fear-filled hearts who single out the un-empowered for self gratification turn to water and retreat to their abodes of fear in a manner that befits their gutlessness, lack of ethical fulfilment and complete disregard of the notion of human decency.
Nobody in their right mind would single out Jews or Maori in such a vilifying manner as Andrew Johns’ recent outburst against Greg Inglis.
Jews fought against institutionalised racism for thousands of years and won, albeit at a cost of many innocent lives over centuries.
The Maori stood up to racism, faced it with fierce pride and the wisdom of generations, and won.
As a result, those groups now have flourishing cultures built around language, tradition and belief that will not be broken by the self-hating rants of racists.
More power to Timana Tahu for drawing a line in the sand; his courage will go a long way to ensuring that future generations of Indigenous Australians have pride in their rich cultural traditions, help end the sad belief that it is OK to racially vilify Australia’s original inhabitants and spur on young Aborigines to face racism in a dignified and fiercely determined manner.
Yours Sincerely
David Fletcher
Forest Hill