Comparing We Are Going By Oodgeroo Noonuccal And Earl Grey

We Are Going by Oodgeroo Noonuccal and Earl Grey by Laurie May are moving poems that explore themes of displacement and the impact of colonization on future generations of Aboriginal people. Noonuccal uses powerful imagery and symbolism in "We are the old ways, / The corroboree and the bora ground" to highlight the cultural and spiritual dislocation of Indigenous Australians. By beginning with a third-person perspective, Noonuccal portrays Indigenous people as "strangers" in their own ancestral lands, emphasizing the alienation caused by colonization. The repetition of "We are" reinforces their collective identity while mourning the profound loss of cultural connection and land. These metaphors evoke a sense of loss and resilience in the reader,

The critical tone in these lines emphasizes the irony and tragedy of losing one's cultural heritage under the guise of "civilization." May's poem critiques the government's efforts to "civilize" Indigenous peoples, paralleling Noonuccal's depiction of cultural loss. The line "They were talking about me / So now, I’m 'civilized' you see" uses a bitter, sarcastic tone to criticize the notion of civilization imposed by colonial forces, revealing the deep wounds and identity crises caused by these efforts. Both Noonuccal and May use their respective poems to highlight the profound and lasting impacts of colonization on Indigenous identity, using a critical tone and vivid imagery to reveal the deep wounds and ongoing struggles faced by their people. Through their exploration of cultural loss and the complexities of assimilation, both poets emphasize the resilience and enduring spirit of Indigenous culture in the face of relentless external