The blokes got a point

Originally posted by groundzero ↑

TB, I see it all. We will never completely agree because we are actually talking of 2 different peoples, the Top Enders and the ones in the Goldfields. I agree you are right in what you say about the people on the communities up the top end. But you havent seen the ones down here in action. When they seiged the Laverton Pub years back, bricking all upper and lower windows and trying to drag the publican out, the Police just watched and did nothing. They are not afraid of the Police, its the other way round. Especially since the Skull Creek incident at Laverton about 1974. Its all very political here, mate.
I'm not racist against any skin colour or creed. My first exposure to Aboriginals was in the Pilbara, playing with the kids in the communities on Mt Florence and Mulga Downs Stations in the early '50's. Was never any trouble there.
Another thing that helped was they werent allowed alcoho back then.
Trouble began when idiot do-gooders drove these people of their traditional lands and turned them into Fringe Dwellers on the towns. If only they had let things go as it was. Everyone was happy, they had pride and self respect, they adopted the surnames of the pastoralists on whose land they lived.
My next exposure was in the Eastern Goldfields, where since about 1970, the problems increased.

I dont have a problem with muslims in general ( Jihadist types excluded). I worked among them in Java in 1990 and 1991. Never had any probs. Even had my English translation of the Q'ran. But in recent times if I spoke up for Muslims in general, I was tagged as an apollogist. What would I know, they reckoned.
I feel very sorry for the local fringe dwellers here....... every few months I see more and more in wheelchairs or with artificial limbs. Diabetes, mate, from junk foods, foraging in garbage bins, and alcohol. A lot congregate around Chicken Treat here, foraging in the bins. You frequently see the cops there tearing off the tabs of any cans of beer they might have and pouring the beer out. The oldies are no problem.... its the young ones who cause trouble.
I'd say its a lot different to what you experience up there. They are doomed to be welfare recipients, with not much future or hope. All the Native Title monies seem to go to the Fat Cats, not the people who need it most.
Hey, hope to do the Top End before I die. Want to do the Gibb River Rd from Derby to Kunnanara , across to Darwin, and over to the very top of Queensland. I've only been as far north as Port Douglas. I'll send you a post of how it all seemed to me if I get to do it.

GZ

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Hey, I get it.

But I think what you may be missing is that they are still scared, it is just the consequences don't matter; under certain circumstances. It is difficult to explain unless you have lived it and I can understand if you don't believe me. Sometimes overcoming your fear is the least of your problems. If you have very little to live for other than working out where to get your next paint can or bottle of petrol from, then getting hurt isn't a big deal; at the time. Unfortunately, the coppers become the focus of the rage.

Many a time I have seen friends and relatives get locked up on purpose, just for the opportunity to spend some time with relatives, as it was the only option to do so. I've also seen young fellas smart enough to get locked up on purpose, as they only way they are going to get off the chrome and survive.

All the things you have mentioned, I have seen first had, especially at Wujal Wujal and Lockhart River, growing up. I hated the places, Lockhart in particular. Being scared doesn't stop the community rioting and it doesn't stop them hanging themselves in the watchhouse either. The truth is, often it is the case that you are going to get a flogging from the coppers, whether you deserve it or not.

I'm not saying any of that is right or wrong, and I know much, and in many cases most, of the blame falls squarely at the feet of the Aboriginal or less often Islander peoples. But it is not always the case, I can assure you.

I was very lucky to get off the communities when I was young enough, and I see what has happened to many who lacked the opportunities I had; many (most?) through no fault of their own.

I you do head up the cape, let me know and I can give you some pointers. I just came back from a trip up the cape to the Islands and PNG, island hopping with my boat.