Australia, we need to talk | Cally Jetta | TEDxPerth

TEDx Talks

9 Dec 201609:48

Summary

TLDRThe speaker, a high school teacher with a decade of experience, addresses the audience with vulnerability about her nervousness and the challenges of discussing Aboriginal issues. She shares personal experiences of racism, the media's negative portrayal of Aboriginal Australians, and the strength of the community despite daily discrimination. She reflects on the reconciliation movement's flaws and the importance of acknowledging the past to move forward together. The speaker emphasizes the power of social media to share authentic Aboriginal stories, urging the audience to challenge racism and seek deeper understanding.

Takeaways

😨 The speaker feels nervous addressing adults despite being an experienced high school teacher, indicating the intimidating nature of discussing Aboriginal matters.
🤔 The speaker experiences a sense of insecurity and judgment when discussing Aboriginal issues, suggesting a broader societal bias.
😔 Racism is prevalent in everyday life, as illustrated by the contrasting treatment of the speaker's husband at a doctor's office.
💪 Aboriginal people are described as extremely strong, enduring constant demonization and stereotypes, highlighting their resilience.
😡 The speaker recounts personal experiences of racism, including derogatory names and jokes made in school, showing the deep-rooted nature of prejudice.
🏠 The speaker's husband's ancestors were victims of a massacre, a historical event that has been glossed over in favor of a more palatable narrative.
🤝 The reconciliation movement of the 90s is critiqued as flawed, suggesting that true harmony has never been achieved between Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal Australians.
📣 The 2008 apology to the Stolen Generations by Prime Minister Kevin Rudd is acknowledged as significant but marred by a lack of understanding and support from some Australians.
👦 The speaker's son's interaction with a peer about being Aboriginal shows a positive shift in younger generations' attitudes.
🌐 The power of social media is recognized as a tool to share stories and perspectives, influencing change and fostering understanding.
📚 The speaker's work with at-risk teens and sharing their stories online has had a profound impact, demonstrating the importance of representation and support.

Q & A

What emotions does the speaker express at the beginning of the speech?
-The speaker expresses nervousness and intimidation at the thought of addressing a crowd of adults formally, despite having experience as a high school teacher.
What does the speaker feel when discussing Aboriginal-related matters?
-The speaker feels judged and insecure, as if they are being scrutinized and their knowledge is doubted by others.
Why does the speaker's husband face racism despite the speaker's knowledge in indigenous history, culture, and language?
-People often bypass the speaker and assume that her husband, who is visibly Aboriginal, is the expert, based on his appearance rather than the speaker's qualifications.
What was the speaker's husband's experience at the doctor's surgery?
-The receptionist treated the speaker's husband differently, asking him if he had a healthcare card and suggesting he should apply for one at Centrelink, which was not asked of the speaker.
How does the speaker describe the strength of Aboriginal people?
-The speaker describes Aboriginal people as extremely strong, enduring daily racial treatment that many on the outside are oblivious to.
What is the speaker's perspective on the media's portrayal of Aboriginal Australians?
-The speaker believes that Aboriginal Australians are constantly demonized in the media, often resented based on stereotypes and perceived benefits that do not exist.
What was the speaker's experience with racism during their school years?
-The speaker experienced racism in their private high school where peers made derogatory comments about Aboriginal people and the school was named after a historical figure with a negative history towards Aboriginal people.
What was the speaker's view on the reconciliation movement of the 90s?
-The speaker initially saw the reconciliation movement as positive but later recognized its flaws, such as being a government-funded campaign and the concept of reconciliation implying a return to a harmony that was never truly had.
How did the speaker feel about the apology issued by Prime Minister Kevin Rudd to the Stolen Generations?
-The speaker felt the apology was significant but was disheartened by the lack of support and compassion from others, including friends who considered it irrelevant and unnecessary.
What positive change has the speaker observed in their children's generation?
-The speaker's son was able to confidently explain his Aboriginal identity to a peer, showing that positive change is happening and that younger generations are more open and accepting.
What role does the speaker see for social media in promoting understanding and change?
-The speaker sees social media as a powerful tool to give voice to alternative perspectives and to reach more people with a fresh perspective on Aboriginal issues.
What is the speaker's message to the audience about combating racism and supporting Aboriginal people?
-The speaker urges the audience to challenge racism when they see it, not to believe stereotypes about Aboriginal people without investigating further, and to value and listen to Aboriginal voices.

Outlines

00:00

😨 Facing Racism and Insecurity

The speaker, a high school teacher with a decade of experience, expresses her nervousness about addressing adults formally on Aboriginal matters. She feels judged and insecure, especially when her Aboriginal husband is present, where others assume he is the expert despite her knowledge. The speaker recounts an incident of racism at a doctor's office, highlighting the daily struggles faced by Aboriginal Australians. She describes the media's role in perpetuating stereotypes and the personal impact of racism, including the fear of children growing up and realizing their second-class status in society.

05:01

🌱 Seeds of Reconciliation and Change

The speaker discusses the concept of reconciliation, questioning its feasibility given the lack of a pre-existing harmony between Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal Australians. She reflects on the historical relationship marked by misunderstanding and lack of respect. The speaker mentions the 2008 apology to the Stolen Generations by Prime Minister Kevin Rudd, expressing disappointment at the lack of support from some friends. She shares a personal story of her son's interaction with a peer, demonstrating a small but significant act of understanding and acceptance. The speaker emphasizes the importance of raising strong and resilient children and believes that positive change is already happening, as evidenced by the online community's response to her stories about at-risk teens.

Mindmap

Keywords

💡Aboriginal

The term 'Aboriginal' refers to the indigenous peoples of Australia, who have a rich history and culture that predates European settlement. In the video, the speaker identifies as Aboriginal and discusses the challenges and prejudices faced by Aboriginal people, such as being perceived as second-class citizens and the impact of racism on their lives.

💡Racism

Racism is the belief in the inherent superiority of one race over another, which often results in discrimination and prejudice towards people based on their ethnicity or skin color. The video script highlights personal experiences of racism faced by the speaker and her husband, including being treated differently at a doctor's office and the broader societal implications of such attitudes.

💡Stereotypes

Stereotypes are generalized and often oversimplified ideas about a particular group of people. In the context of the video, the speaker talks about harmful stereotypes of Aboriginal people, such as being seen as 'primitive' or 'criminal,' which contribute to their mistreatment and misunderstanding by society.

💡Reconciliation

Reconciliation refers to the process of establishing understanding and friendship between groups that have been in conflict. The video mentions the reconciliation movement of the 1990s in Australia, which aimed to mend relations between Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal Australians, but also points out its flaws and the ongoing need for genuine harmony.

💡Stolen Generations

The Stolen Generations refers to the children of Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander descent who were forcibly removed from their families by the Australian government. The video script mentions the 2008 apology by Prime Minister Kevin Rudd to the Stolen Generations, highlighting the significance of this event and the mixed reactions it received.

💡Indigenous history

Indigenous history encompasses the historical experiences, cultures, and narratives of indigenous peoples. The speaker in the video emphasizes her knowledge of indigenous history, culture, and language, and how it shapes her perspective on the ongoing struggles and the need for recognition and respect for Aboriginal people.

💡Cultural appropriation

Cultural appropriation is the adoption of elements of one culture by members of another culture, often without understanding or respecting the original culture's history and traditions. The video script indirectly touches on this concept through the speaker's critique of how Australian history is often sanitized or misrepresented to fit a more palatable narrative.

💡Social media

Social media refers to online platforms that enable users to create and share content or participate in social networking. The speaker discusses using social media to share stories about her students and to challenge stereotypes, demonstrating the power of these platforms to foster understanding and support for Aboriginal youth.

💡At-risk teens

At-risk teens are young people who face challenges that may put their well-being, education, or future at risk. The video script mentions an alternative program for at-risk teens that the speaker is involved in, highlighting the importance of educational initiatives to support and empower vulnerable youth.

💡Resilience

Resilience is the ability to withstand or recover quickly from difficult conditions. The speaker talks about raising her children to be resilient in the face of racism, emphasizing the importance of strength and adaptability in overcoming adversity.

💡Voice

In the context of the video, 'voice' refers to the expression of one's thoughts, feelings, and experiences, particularly in advocating for oneself or one's community. The speaker encourages others to use their voices to challenge racism and to amplify the perspectives of Aboriginal people.

Highlights

The speaker expresses nervousness about addressing adults formally despite being a high school teacher for ten years.

Feeling judged and insecure when speaking about Aboriginal matters, with imagined eye rolls and dismissive thoughts from the audience.

Experiencing frustration and awkwardness due to others assuming the speaker's Aboriginal husband is the expert on indigenous matters, despite her own knowledge.

The husband facing more overt racism, such as being treated differently at a doctor's office based on his Aboriginal background.

The constant demonization of Aboriginal people in the media and the resentment they face based on stereotypes and perceived benefits.

The personal impact of being scrutinized and having one's identity questioned by strangers in everyday situations.

The dread Aboriginal parents feel knowing their children will eventually realize they are perceived as second-class citizens.

Racist jokes and names directed at Aboriginal children in primary school, with little value placed on their contributions and culture.

The speaker's realization that her school was named after a man involved in a violent attack on Aboriginal people, which is often overlooked.

Reflections on the reconciliation movement of the 90s, questioning its effectiveness and the government's true intentions.

The idea that reconciliation implies a return to a pre-existing harmony that has never truly existed between Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal Australians.

The mixed reactions to Prime Minister Kevin Rudd's apology to the Stolen Generations in 2008, with some showing lack of support and understanding.

The importance of persisting for positive change despite encountering negative attitudes and resistance.

A personal story of the speaker's son confidently identifying as Aboriginal and educating others about his heritage.

The belief that positive change is already happening and will continue despite denial or resistance.

The speaker's work teaching an alternative program for at-risk teens and sharing their stories online to humanize Aboriginal youth.

The power of social media to give voice to alternative perspectives and the opportunity it presents for the speaker as an educator.

A call to action for the audience to challenge racism, look deeper into Aboriginal issues, and value Aboriginal voices.

The message that Aboriginal people do not need to 'get over it' but rather wait for non-Aboriginal Australians to catch up in understanding and respect.