ipl-logo

Summary Of Is That You Ruthie

642 Words3 Pages

The popular myths of the 1930’s attributed to Indigenous Queenslanders were based on preconceived assumptions; which, inevitably impacted those subjected to them as highlighted in the 1999 autobiographical account, ‘Is that you, Ruthie?’ by Ruth Hegarty. These assumptions were racially motivated to include: need to be controlled, had no family structure, unable to be educated beyond elementary level.

The prevalent myths of the time were perpetuated by the hegemonic ideologies of biological inferiority and consequently theories of eugenics which established a pattern of racial supremacy that became ingrained in Australian culture. (Hollingsworth 2006: 33-35,79-84,100; Woods 1879: xxxvii-xxxviii cited in Hollingsworth 2006:100; Bottoms 2013:191; …show more content…

The establishment of these reserves was instrumental for the management, control and segregation of Aboriginal Australians (Hollingsworth p 101; Fozdar, Wilding & Hawkins 2008: 116). Hegarty’s own experiences of: constant supervision, segregation and separation, police escorts and patrols, physical restrictions, ‘strict discipline and unfair treatment’, and regimented structure; highlight the extent to which control and discipline were the instruments for indoctrinating the rules and regulations of the settlement (Hegarty 1999: 3,14,17,20,23,25,26,30,34,36,39,42,43, 53-55,57,58, 61,75-77,79 93,95,103,123,129,130,135,140). Moreover, reserve inmates were isolated and ’were subject to strict discipline, loss of privacy and autonomy’ (Hollingsworth 2006: 102). The basis for this oppressive regimented institutionalised racism was the intended outcome: a disciplined employable farm labourer or domestic servant; who understood the rules and therefore their position in society. (Hegarty 1999: …show more content…

‘The immediate survival of the family’ was paramount to her grandfathers’ decision to move to the mission (Hegarty 1999:7,9). Furthermore, ‘his family was his life’ and his ability to provide for the family had been affected (Hegarty 1999:7-8). In addition, Hegartys grandfather in his role as the head of the family made all the decisions, this right was abolished upon arrival at the mission (Hegarty 1999:12). Consequently, the move meant that all cultural and family connections were broken (Hegarty 1999: 9,10). In Hegarty’s account; the family were forced to separate, the children were institutionalised into segregated dormitory housing; her grandparents were sent to the camp that was isolated from the rest of the settlement (Hegarty 1999:12,13). Further disconnection occurred because the children were automatically made ‘wards of the state’ (Hegarty 1999: 20). However, the impact of the regulations; to their freedom, way of life, and structure of the family unit as Indigenous Queenslanders; became evident after they had entered the reserve (Hegarty 1999: 12; Donovan 2008:

Show More
Related

Analysis Of Seven Sins Of The Change Australia Day Movement By Andrew Bolt

613 Words | 3 Pages

The integration of an anecdote - from an Indigenous frontbencher, is a tactic to undermine Linda Burneys claims by unveiling that she was has a strong Scottish ancestry. Following on to establish that “more that half of Aboriginal married non- Aboriginals”. This forces the reader to break the historical stigma that this debate is between Aboriginals and white people, but there is in fact, more at

Read More

Review Of Graeme Dixon's Poem 'Coolungar Thieves'

598 Words | 3 Pages

Acknowledging the wrongs against Indigenous communities in Australia is critical, as this poem shows. The Stolen Generation was a dark chapter in Australia’s history that still affects Indigenous peoples today. From the late 1800s to the 1970s, thousands of Indigenous children were forcibly removed from their families by the Australian government. The policy was designed to assimilate Indigenous children into White Australian culture, and many suffered abuse and neglect.

Read More

How Did Rob Riley Influence Australia

691 Words | 3 Pages

Australian History has been notably marked with themes of conflict among; culture, race and nation since the beginning of time. Similar to many other culturally diverse countries, Australia has slowly become two distinctly different races, disjointedly connected to create ‘one culture’ (Ward, R. 2017). Along this journey, there have been various significant political figures contributing to the recognition and progression of Indigenous issues within Australia. Namely one of the most determined and instrumental political warriors within the local and national Indigenous political domain is Rob Riley.

Read More

Aboriginal Deaths In Custody Case Study

1583 Words | 7 Pages

Here, the Aboriginal Protection Act 1869 (VIC) was made to establish an inclusive scheme of control over the lives of First Australians (Australian Institute of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies, 2014). New South Wales’ equivalent to this was the Aborigines Protection Act 1909 (NSW) which was to provide protection and care of Aboriginal People but rather legislated for the control of their lives. The policies of assimilation directly related to and relied on segregation and protectionism policies. This policy reflected the views of all governmental bodies of Australia, in that they thought it necessary that Aboriginal people were to eventually exercise the equivalent method of living as non-Indigenous Australians and to live as members of a sole community appreciating the same rights and freedoms, accept the same responsibilities, observing similar duties and be predisposed to the same loyalties, hopes and

Read More

Is That You Ruthie Analysis

531 Words | 3 Pages

TThe 1999 autobiographical account, Is that you, Ruthie? by Ruth Hegarty provides an insightful portrayal of the harsh realities experienced by Indigenous Queenslanders, under the control of The Aboriginals Protection and Restriction of the Sale of Opium Act 1897 (Qld.). Hegartys’ account of the limited education of Indigenous Queenslanders living on reserves, highlights the intention for preordained employment outcomes governed by the 1897 Act. The Governor in Council was responsible for all matters pertaining to Indigenous Queenslanders (The Act 1897, s31.).

Read More

Vicki Chartrand Unsettled Times Summary

952 Words | 4 Pages

Her article discusses that even in the early 20th century the British Columbia penitentiary advised that white prisoners should associate as little as possible with Indians and Half-breeds (Minister of Justice, 2895:113, as cited in Chartrand, 2019). She traces back to the colonial era and explains that Indigenous people were punished and imprisoned for resisting the rules. She argues that we need to address the issues within the Canadian penitentiary system there is a need for decolonization. Decolonization allows for the restoration of colonized groups whose power was stolen. Decolonization in the prison system is an important step to reducing systemic racism and can produce fairer outcomes for Indigenous people (Korchak, 2017).

Read More

Jasper Jones Character Analysis

960 Words | 4 Pages

Introduction Good morning distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen. I welcome you to the 24th annual Queensland Literary Symposium I’d like to highlight another prominent book that has captured readers with its engaging and thrilling storyline alone with significant aspects of human society and culture The story I specifically refer to is none other but the novel Jasper Jones Written by the Australian author Craig Silvery, Jasper Jones was set in the scorching summer of Western Australia in 1965.

Read More

Stan Grant's Speech 'Racism Is Destroying The Australian Dream'

1292 Words | 6 Pages

Grant utilises traumatic anecdotes, allusion to contemporary issues and his first person’s point of view to bring forth the readers values and attitudes of accountability for the past, and criticalness of previous actions against Indigenous people. For example, Grant details personal tales of how his grandmother was turned away from the hospital because “she was giving birth to the child of a black person”. The anecdote attacks the latter part of the Australian Dream, stating “(..)deep sense of belonging that allows all Australian to thrive” which was unfortunately not the case where Grant’s elder was reprimanded of her right to treatment. Furthermore, Grant talks about his grandfather who fought wars for Australia but came back to a nation where “he couldn’t even share a drink with his digger mates in the pub because he was black”. The anecdotes again contradicts core Australian values of mateship and equality as Grant’s grandfather who served alongside his caucasian friends was not recognized as a citizen thus was denied the ability to socialise with his soldiers.

Read More

1967 Referendum In Australia

870 Words | 4 Pages

3. The gradual development of a new administrative and practical definition of ‘Aboriginality’. This definition was based on community and self-identification, not just a person’s DNA or

Read More

Racism In Jasper Jones

748 Words | 3 Pages

The novel ‘Jasper Jones’ by Craig Silvey is centred around a young man named Charlie Bucktin living in the little Australian town of Corrigan in the late 1960 's. Charlie is presented with the issues of racial prejudice, shamefulness, and moral dishonesty. He is tested to address the idealism of right from wrong and acknowledges that the law doesn 't generally maintain equity. The thoughts are depicted through Silvey 's utilization of story traditions which are to either challenge or reinforce our values, states of mind and convictions on the issues brought before us. The 1960 's was an extremely dull period for numerous individuals whose race was recognizably unique - different to that of the “white” population.

Read More

Institutional Racism In Australia

904 Words | 4 Pages

From the British name ‘Terra nullis’, the stolen generation and the failure of the government to issue a formal apology for the Aboriginals.  (dhhds p.) The healthcare in Australia has a significant issue of institutional racism. Aboriginal healthcare is much more neglected than those of non-indigenous backgrounds and those in remote Aboriginal communities receive less Medicare and pharmaceutical Benefits, in contrast with a wealthy Sydney suburb, where people receive more of those that are non-indigenous (Aboriginal health care, p.). Leaving an unfair and lack of social and national identity for those targeted to this type of racism.

Read More

Aboriginal Identity Essay

1190 Words | 5 Pages

Abstract Being an aborigine in a white dominated society is a complicated identity. Australia, one of the white governed nations, also owns many aboriginal tribes. They lived harmonious lives in the early period. But European colonization has made a profound effect on the lives of Aboriginals in Australia, which led to the total demolition of their native culture, identity and history. As a result the new generation Aboriginals have lost their Aboriginal heritage and have been accepted neither by Aboriginals nor by whites.

Read More

Why Is Shared History Important In Maintaining Cultural Identity?

700 Words | 3 Pages

A large majority of Australians have been presented with a version of Australian history that has minimised and ignored important events regarding Aboriginal people that include many violent and painful deaths that until recently have been hidden quietly. History is extremely important in forming cultural identity which in turn leads to an increased sense of security and belonging. Therefore a need for shared history is required in Australia for recognising the history of both Aboriginal and non-aboriginal people (Gore, 2008). When studying the history of Australia it is important to recognise that it is a shared history. The shared history of Australia acknowledges that the history of Australia began long before the British started to

Read More

Post Colonialism Theory

2412 Words | 10 Pages

The rationale behind these polices was to protect children, a though that aboriginal people would die out and the belief that aboriginal people frowned up miscegenation. Other claims suggest that this was part of the attempt to whiten Australia. The horrific irony here is that there are few if any aboriginal families which have not been impacted by these child removals. It has created an array of psychological issues, an increased risk and exposure to sexual abuse, a taught rejection of their culture, a loss of links to the land, an inability to participate in cultural and spiritual life with their communities and not being able to have a native title. Quite often the intuitions and families in which these children were placed with were more damaging and detrimental to their health and wellbeing that if they had remained with their families.

Read More

Follow The Rabbit Proof Fence Summary

944 Words | 4 Pages

In 1931 in Australia it is the official order of Mr. Neville, who was the Chief Protector of the Aborigines, that all “half caste” Aboriginal children must be taken away from their

Read More

More about Summary Of Is That You Ruthie

Related Topics

Open Document