Mundine does not speak for all indigenous Australians

I WAS overwhelmed by the varied NAIDOC coverage and content that appeared in the Townsville Bulletin some weeks ago. Thanks to the editor for that reconciliatory gesture.

The recent article regarding racism contributed by former indigenous Advisory Council member Warren Mundine ( TB, July 25) could be seen as being divisive within our black community.

Not all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander families can relate to the somewhat privileged upbringing Warren Mundine has had. I intend no disrespect to Mundine’s father when I say that he at least had the “support of the union” in his quest to gain equal pay.

Aboriginal workers in remote areas and missions simply did not have any union support. Admittedly there will always be contention within our black community relating to those who have and have not. The same stigma applies in white society.

Generational circumstances and the continuing impact of alcohol dependency resulting in family disintegration, unemployment, chronic health issues and ongoing racism are major contributors why some descendants of the First Australians would beg to differ on Warren Mundine’s comments.

Has anyone ever considered the fact that “racism” did not exist prior to the invasion?

Successive governments have perpetuated the present racial divide by classing certain people as “such and such”. Our current lower- socio citizens of various multicultural backgrounds ( Australia- wide) bear testament to the fact.

I imagine that they too exchange racial slurs among themselves. Even though we proud Aborigines may be a minority group in our ancestral homelands we stand united on January 26. The White Australia policy had a short lived life. Oz is now more “black and white” than ever. CORALIE CASSADY,

Heatley.