Ill-informed comment. I was asked about Australian racism by a recent Pommy migrant and I explained that Australia has always been racist against two races – the most recent mob off the boat, and Aborigines. So when my Latvian grandparents arrived in 1947 among the first mass non-English migration, they were subjected to racism. But that died away quickly when the Italians and Greeks arrived, and they became the target instead. Then that died off when the Vietnamese and Chinese arrived in the 70’s and 80’s and they became the target instead. Then that died off shortly after Pauline Hanson was promising to reduce Asian immigration when mid-eastern Muslims became the new target instead (even Hanson doesn’t mention Asians anymore).

But Aborigines have always been discouraged from living in areas where white people live, they were treated as sub-human in our constitution until only 50 years ago, they were pummelled for generations like no other Australians and this still has effects today. And then dicks like Tony Abbott as PM who declared that Aborigines living in the only areas they’ve never been kicked out of are making a “lifestyle choice” as an excuse to cut funding support programs.

If you wanted to completely dehumanise an indigenous population, the white treatment of Aborigines between 1788 and 1980 would be a great starting point. Anything that’s happened since is mostly window dressing too, although finally health and life expectancy statistics are starting to improve.

I’m Australian, nearing 53, white, gay, and have always believed in respect, equality and equalism for *all*, not just for some¤ (¤aka: “equality: conditions apply”). Race, culture, age, gender and sexuality, etc., all deserve *equal* equality and respect. Last year, the term “Love = Love” popped-up quite rightfully as a clear and direct equation for the marriage equality campaign. I believe we should also champion for an equivalent term and equation: “Equality = Equality”.

Our country is sadly, constantly, embarrassingly and shamefully behind the times when we have to rely upon our ‘government’ for equal positive progression for all: no matter what party is in; and, frequently, no matter what the issue. For example: “Innovation!” smarms Turnbull. “BUT WHEN?!” scream the rest of us (thus: Turnbull …as useful as a lace parachute).

Why none of our ‘leaders’ can do what other countries’ leaders have done by giving their Indigenous peoples the respect of a treaty just screams further inequity and hypocrisy of that Australian some-time ideology: ‘The Fair Go’.

Zachary… you can certainly count me in for empathy and support of Australia’s Indigenous peoples. Best wishes.