I’ve read two books* lately which use fiction to examine what happened as white men spread out across this land. It’s funny that, when I was a kid, the emphasis in stories about early Australia was always on our convict past. I can remember it being referred to as ‘the stain’.
These books don’t lend any more weight to conviction in England than you would to a plot device designed to keep people here even after they have been ‘freed’. Rather their focus is on relations between white and Indigenous populations in frontier locations.
From the white perspective the relationship was characterised by an unshakable belief in their own superiority, and in the superiority of their way of life. This led to the absolute conviction that, because the aboriginal population did not appear to have cultivated the land for the purpose of raising livestock and crops, indigenous people would benefit when whites took over the land and made it productive. There was also the conviction that because aboriginals did not dress or worship in the same way as whites, they must be uncivilised. In short these books paint a picture of a white population determined to take over the land, civilise the blacks and drive out of existence those who would not take their inferior place in the dominant culture.
Both stories are told from the white perspective, leaving the reader to interpret the motivation of the Indigenous people from the actions described by the white characters. My interpretation of these actions is that the Indigenous people were initially curious about the newcomers to their home. Over time they observed that the white people did not understand how to live off the bounty provided naturally by this land, and that their efforts to create something else were not very successful. Worse still, these efforts ruined what had existed before. Aboriginals tried to offer advice about the home they knew and loved so well. But this was ignored by all but a few. Although some Indigenous people remained curious and tried to learn more about the white man, over time they came up repeatedly against that implacable insistence that whites were superior. They learned the only way they were going to be able to get along was if blacks accepted white superiority and behaved accordingly.
When they did not, the white response was murderous and terrifying, leading to the destruction of whole populations of Indigenous people. Many others were forced away from their homes on the land. Children of Indigenous people were stolen by whites.
Both books depict the psychological impact these shameful truths have on the white people in the stories. As time passes the realisation seems to dawn that early assumptions about the land being empty and unproductive, and aboriginals being sub-human might be wrong. And people lose the moral defense they have clung to for what they have done. The realisation that your actions have contradicted deeply held beliefs and values is shameful. The stories show how the people with the courage to face up to this shame start to change their behaviour. For those lacking such courage, the shame turns inward and manifests outwardly as rage, leading to more and more murderous violence and destruction.
The awful truth is that this is still happening in Australia. Right thinking people today understand that the basis for the relationship between black and white in this country is an invasion and forced occupation lasting more than 200 years. Right thinking people, both black and white, have been calling for a treaty, for formal recognition of Indigenous people as part of our nation, and for the return of stolen lands.
However there is still a vocal minority – with platforms in parliament and in the media – who cannot face up to the shame of the past and become enraged when confronted with reminders of their complicity. Reminders such as the rates of aboriginal incarceration and mortality. Reminders such as proud indigenous people like Adam Goodes, who refuse to bow their heads to white superiority. And reminders like the repeated objections of right thinking people to the offensive celebrations held every year on 26 January.
I can only hope that the emergence of stories like these, told by white voices, will lead to a reckoning by all Australians about the real stain on our past. I hope we will be able to face up to the shame, end the rage and do what is necessary to restore dignity and honour to all our people, no matter the colour of their skin or the culture of their heritage.
* The books are:
- The Secret River by Kate Grenville – actually I read this ages ago but re-read it after seeing the excellent TV adaptation last year.
- Salt Creek by Lucy Treloar – if you haven’t read this get on it. It’s amazing!
