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Frank
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My father is the nation’s first Aboriginal police officer, an achievement he is proud of, though not a title he flaunts. He did not see colour, but only saw people. In the 1980s, the Fitzgerald Inquiry gave him the opportunity to speak about the stand he took against corruption in the Queensland Police Force. While praised by the public, he was despised by crooked police, but of course was not surprised by this. However, in his final job as a police officer (having earned the rank of inspector) he was put in charge of the cultural advisory unit. In his book Code of Silence, he describes that this appointment ‘wasn’t at all favourably received by the indigenous community, many of whom accused me of being a traitor and of selling out my own race… I was as hated as much for my efforts to improve relations between indigenous people and the police as I had been for taking a stand against corruption in the Licensing Branch.’ After a stellar career serving the people of Queensland, that is how ‘his people’ responded.
If we are not seeing as many Aboriginal Australians rise to the position of leadership as we would like, then perhaps it’s because many of them decide that it just isn’t worth it. Why bust your guts in trying to help the most disadvantaged Aboriginal people only to be slandered and hated by other Aboriginal people? For those who have stepped forward, you are to be applauded. Not only are you trying to solve complex problems like violence, unemployment and crime, but you are doing so while being opposed by those who should be supporting you. You are great role models.
For those Aboriginal people who delight in sitting back and criticising those who are trying to make a difference, perhaps you might like to consider getting out of your comfortable lounge chair and offering some genuine solutions. Breaking the cycles of generational disadvantage will mean making tough decisions. Protest marches and walks across the country just won’t cut it. Real problems require real solutions, and Aboriginal leaders require the support of other Aboriginal people.
https://www.spectator.com.au/2017/10/australian-notes-149/
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