SCS130 – Introduction to Indigenous Australia: Assessment Task 3-Personal Reflective Essay
Indigenous people in Australia have spent their lives in challenging and difficult circumstances. The following reflection is about their experience where they have made extraordinary efforts to be productive citizens of society.
Issue related to the text for this subject
The elements of the books that relate to my reflection involve the conditions faced by indigenous people. The most disturbing and cruel aspect revealed from the book is that an Indigenous child is considered to be independent at the age of 4. Later, she had to start a job at another place at the age of 14 (Hegarty, 2003). It shows how Hegarty had to develop new bonds with fellow girls to compensate for the separation from her mother and family. She reflected on her past and gave numerous lessons for us to understand the life of Indigenous people.
As far as my position is concerned, it has changed substantially from the autobiography of Ruth Hegarty, who has influenced my perspective and view of indigenous life. Some points have led to a change in my perspective on the issue. First, I learned that indigenous people were considered not equal, and they had to live their independent life. Their childhood was not like healthy children who had continuous and consistent support from their parents and family members. I could not imagine that even a teenager had to be forced to live without the help of his family. It is not possible because the family needs remain at every stage of life. Therefore, the issue concerned, I was about the inequality faced by indigenous children and forced separation from their families. It hurt Hegarty, and it must be worrying for any indigenous person. Earlier, I did not realize the context and resulting feeling of deprivation faced by Indigenous people, but I have come to know much now. They had to live a life that is not normal at all. For instance, they had to face hardships, much earlier than many of us. The book is so inspiring to learn these issues in Indigenous people’s life.
The autobiography by Hegarty can help understand the concept of sociological imagination. According to the concept, a person relates to his life as a result of past actions and experiences (Davis et al., 2018). Hegarty formed an association and bond with her fellow girls, and it gave her a feeling of strength and collective support. I want to add here that every child who is forced to live such a life has to look back at past experiences that led her to this current state.
It made me think and feel differently because the above reflection helped me understand the hardships of Indigenous people. Hegarty helped me to get familiar with her childhood and experienced hardships. It also helped how to relate experiences with a concept. I have chosen sociological imagination as the concept of highlighting the way. Indigenous people look back at their past.
Reflection with the help of Documentary:
The documentary chosen for this reflection is about Roelands that has been a nightmare for children decades ago. The video includes residents’ views on those grew there at Roelands. It was related to the above autobiographical account of Hegarty. Different people reflect on their experience that they had to face tough past and experiences in their childhood. Later, they formed a joint effort to protect the site and made it the center of diversity and intercultural harmony. They showed their love for the site. The documentary has presented a comprehensive view of the life of Indigenous people living in Australia (Dandjoo, 2015).
After watching the short documentary, my position has considerably changed because I learned how to adjust to the changing situation. Indigenous children would live at Roelands, and they were not treated in a good manner. It was because the infamous Australian law of treating them in bias way was in place. They could not see and remember their families, and later in their life, they had to search for their livelihood. The documentary notes that some people found a better place in society after escaping from the site, but many of them might not be such lucky. It inspires us to know how deprivations in childhood could affect one’s life. In another perspective, there is a great contribution from the community. People who spent their childhood at the site showed love and association with the place when they heard it was going to sell out. They joined together and raised a voice to protect the site. It was an example of how they had loved the place. I learned that everyone is responsible in society, and society should treat everyone equally. Otherwise, there would be inequality that is not good at all.
The video relates to the concept of critical consciousness. The concept is about the level of awareness about the social and political factors in society. An increasing level of awareness leads to understanding them about the place and position in the world (Brooks et al., 2017). In the given video, residents of Roelands could relate to their bitter past. However, they did not lose courage and remained connected to the site. After understanding the position in society, they took steps in taking the leading role. As a result, they could play a more productive and influential role in society.
The video has allowed me to think and feel differently. I learned how things might change gradually. The courage possessed by everyone must meet with respect and dignity. The struggle of Indigenous people of Roelands to be responsible and normal citizens of society shows that they know how to act responsibly. I learned that it is not a viable option to limit freedom of any segment of society. Instead, there should be liberty for everyone, and there is the option of discrimination and inequality.
Choice of Issues in this reflection:
The above reflection revolves around some key elements. They were about Indigenous people and their hardships experienced in the past, especially in their childhood. Moreover, they relate to their identity and responsibility for their area of land. In the case of Hegarty, the reflection focused on how Indigenous people look back at their past. The reflection on video shows how Indigenous people understand their position in society and act responsibly. As a result, the reflection has focused on two aspects of the population. One aspect was related to their past, while the other aspect was related to their future.
My personal position and opinion changed very much because I have come to know new aspects and perspectives of Indigenous life. Reflecting through the lens of sociological principles and concepts has led to finding out the effect of these events experienced by the population. Indigenous people find no hope when they look towards the past because they do not make sense of belongingness with family. They had to experience separation because of national policy in Australia. However, they did not remain separated for long and formed relationships with their fellow members around. However, they did not disconnect with their place or site, but remain connected and associated with the place. Before the reflection, I might think of showing sympathy for Indigenous people, but I have noted that it is not a viable option. I should understand them and learn from them as well. They have faced a hard time in the past, and they still face social discrimination or hardships. Even then, they have not stopped progressing and advancing in their life. They have shown their love with the soil, and it is not an ordinary quality that they have displayed the responsible behavior.
Overall reflection relates to the sociological theory of Intersectionality. It is the theoretical framework that develops an understanding of how aspects of one’s identity relate to unique modes of discrimination (Shaffner et al., 2019). The sociological concept has explained how Indigenous people experience discrimination and biased attitudes of society. The reflection has broadened the scope of understanding, but simultaneously, it has helped to understand how Indigenous people have to face discrimination. Therefore, one should try to understand their concerns and views in society. The concept of Intersectionality helps explain the concept.
It has helped me think and feel differently because I learned how Indigenous people have been struggling. They have to earn their place in society that is unique to them. The rest of us have privileges and rights for which we did not have to struggle. Still, there are instances of discrimination and bias attitudes towards Indigenous people, and things should change considerably. Reflection has become a means to think practically and effectively towards a more equal and just society for all.
Conclusion:
The reflection concludes that Indigenous people in Australia have been living a different life with the rest of us. They have gone through a bitter past as children. Now, they have managed to live a normal life with great effort. It is very effective to investigate their lives and experiences as they have struggled hard to be responsible and productive citizens of society.
References
Brooks, J.S., Normore, A.H. & Wilkinson, J., 2017. School leadership, social justice and immigration. The International Journal of Educational Management, 31(5), pp.679-90.
Dandjoo, N., 2015. Roelands Mission. [Online] Available at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PF_Yhn2o2M4 [Accessed 1 June 2020].
Davis, T. et al., 2018. Intersectional research stories of responsibilising the family for food, feeding and health in the twenty-first century. European Journal of Marketing, 52(12), pp.2273-88.
Hegarty, R., 2003. Is That You, Ruthie? 1st ed. University of Queensland Press.
Shaffner, E.C., Mills, A.J. & Mills, J.H., 2019. Intersectional history: exploring intersectionality over time. Journal of Management History, 25(4), pp.444-63.
