Aboriginal Stereotypes

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The Indigenous communities of Australia are represented in mainstream print media through a variety of different perspectives, but most often negatively. The indigenous face hardships every day due to racism from the wider community, through 'demeaning welfare payments' and little funding from the government. Aboriginals are also viewed through many negative stereotypes which reflect badly on their community. Their culture is not fully understood and appreciated by Australians and it is not being shown accurately in mainstream media. The government and non-indigenous Australians are yet to fully appreciate Aboriginal cultures and respect their rights. In the letter "If Only" by Maureen Brannan (source 1) it is outlined the problems Aboriginals …show more content…

In the cartoon ‘Trying to stop the boats’ by Bill Leak (source 3), the Aboriginals are portrayed as savage, barbaric and angry people to convey the contention, that Aboriginal communities are uncivilised compared to the European settlers that came to Australia. However the Europeans are seen dressed in official uniforms and acting in mannerly, calm and polite ways. The cartoon victimises the indigenous through the Europeans assuming that they are illiterate and the way they are portrayed, violent with spears, ready to fight. The general asks the convict what he thinks the Aboriginal is saying, instead of asking the Aboriginals politely. The European settlers came to Australia with the preconceived notion of conquering Australia, without consulting the existing communities. The cartoon is biased in the sense that the Europeans are presented as smart and good people whilst the Aboriginals look aggressive and gruff. The Aboriginals are pictured with traditional body paint and in red clothing which indicates the threat of danger. These negative connotations are used with purpose to persuade the viewer to think of the Aboriginals as criminals and …show more content…

In this day and society, Australians rely heavily on print media like newspapers and the internet news outlets to present and deliver factual news about this country. If the media alters our perception of the Indigenous, how can there not be racial discrimination? Many news articles about Aboriginals are put out of context and the facts can be altered to seem more severe. Often, the major news corporations only report on Aboriginal news if a crime has occurred, such as an assault which causes Australians to view the Aboriginals negatively because our perception of them has been skewed. Aboriginals are often misunderstood through this distortion of issues because negative connotations have been placed upon them and they still ‘struggle from day to day.’ The media has an obligation to present truthful information because they have a large impact on societies’ knowledge of the indigenous. This biased view is evident in source 3 because they Aboriginals are viewed as angry, uncivilised people, when most, if not all Aboriginals are completely normal human beings, just with different backgrounds. The media should report on all aboriginal news, good and bad, to provide society with a balanced perspective of the

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