A historically significant day for Australians

[Aliantha]

OK, with regard to what PH is proposing, indigenous people in Australia had their own governing body for a while. It was set up in an anglo saxon form, but was run by indigenous people for the benefit of indigenous people. There were elections and referendums. There were news letters and all sorts of other stuff. Web pages and the like. The list goes on. The point of the body was to improve indigenous lifestyles and to give indigenous people in this country a voice.

Unfortunately, not enough indigenous people actually participated in the process. There simply wasn't any interest - or so the word is anyway - so it was closed down a few years ago.

I think this body was a fantastic idea and should have been workable. I hope that it is reinstated now that we have a new government, and I believe it will be. But like what happened here, sometimes even the people they're designed to help don't want to get involved.

anyway, I just thought I'd share that with you so you can ruminate on it.

BTW PH, have you changed your views at all?

[piercehawkeye45]

Originally Posted by Aliantha

BTW PH, have you changed your views at all?

My views are constantly changing and being redefined. The question is how much have my views changed.

Right now, I'm not exactly sure where my ideas fall under the realistic or idealistic area because of a lack of experience and knowledge of the area. I have talked to people that truly believe that they can make reforms, and people that have views more similar to Clod where the situation is so bad that one type of reform won't accomplish anything.

Until the true problems are found, if they already aren't, there isn't much that can be done and I firmly believe that what will help the most is a major change in the social forces in the area. This will not only come from parents, but from peers and other role models as well, which I am 99% sure is strongly lacking as of now. The idea of having black institutions or at least the appearance of black institutions is that it will hopefully spark something that will make the social forces in favor of education stronger in those communities. Will it work, I have no idea.

Originally Posted by Lookout123

I'm not saying you're wrong and I'm right. I think we're both a bit wrong and right.

I agree. On topics such as socio-economics I firmly believe there is no wrong or right, but just personal preference and what is realistic according the situation at hand.

With reference to what you just said, I tend to see people more influenced by social forces than being a true representation of who they are as individuals.

[xoxoxoBruce]

Rap and Hip Hop don't help, either.