When I heard the news of George Floyd’s killing I was really sad, but not the least surprised. Now I am actually hopeful now that something will be done to stop the ingrained racism in this country. Most Australians choose not to see it.
I see Aboriginal deaths all the time in The Koori Mail and the National Indigenous Times as well as the news on Facebook. We as a community share the information in the hope that the wider community will see what we see and demand that things change.
The racism in this country is a disgrace and unless you’ve experienced it then you just don’t understand what it is like to be Aboriginal.
I remember when I went to Aotearoa New Zealand I was shocked at how respected and acknowledged the Maori people were, truly shocked and ashamed that my people are treated so badly here.
My people have been fighting oppression for far too long. If you are angry about the treatment of Black people in the USA then you should be angry, very angry, about the treatment of Aboriginal people in your own country.
In the 1950s my father, Valentine Moloney, was a guest of the communist countries where he promoted Aboriginal human rights. His comments on returning were ‘I am no longer an Aborigine. I am now a Communist. It is the first time in my life (early 30’s) that I have been treated with dignity and all my fellow Aboriginal Brothers and Sisters deserve the same’.
'I long to see a new Australia that prides itself on the treatment of First Nations Peoples, that reveres the cultural heritage of this land; where every child who goes to school learns about the First Nations people as the Guardians and protectors of Mother Earth.'
Are we treated with dignity? Are we treated with respect?
We have to be tougher, more vigilant, second thinking about everything, always on time or we are judged. This is a fact. I have faced racism throughout my life from early primary school. My children have all faced racism head on, in schools and workplace just because they identify and are proud. They have called out racism as I have done and I am proud that they have.
For me the judging is not for being Black, but for not being Black enough! I am constantly questioned on the percentage of my Aboriginality. I can be judged as being not ‘really