Is Peter Matera Aboriginal?

[Augustine]

If your aboriginal your aboriginal

It's very offensive to list %'s

Yes he's aboriginal and you can say other descents also, however saying %'s will offend them ...I work with them a lot

A cup of tea is still a cup of tea even with some milk in it, someone once told me. I can understand why it would be considered offensive for many given the history, but others are quite comfortable saying "I'm half aboriginal half Irish" or whatever.

 

[Sw3Et]

saying %'s will offend them ...

Why? How's it any different from saying somebody is half indian or quarter irish? Genuinely curious

 

[Adzam]

 

[Lucky Luc]

The Matera boys are from Italian heritage..& im sure they see themselves & identifiy with us wogs.

 

[Johnno22]

Daniel Kerr is Indian, okay okay!

I always thought he was a bit of a cowboy.

 

[beatlesmith]

Why? How's it any different from saying somebody is half indian or quarter irish? Genuinely curious

Because terms like "half-Aboriginal" and "half-caste" are relics of an awful and traumatic period of history.
"Half-castes" were removed from Aboriginal communities and forced to assimilate with European society, often by being married off.
There was a legal distinction between "full" and "part" Aboriginals, and it was not a pretty one. It broke up families, conferred different rights and changed the way people were treated.
Those kind of terms have historically been used to marginalise the Aboriginality of people by saying "well you're only half-Aboriginal".

 

[Hardhat11]

Why? How's it any different from saying somebody is half indian or quarter irish? Genuinely curious

Their culture is important to them

It's a bit like saying your half a player or half of something ....like you're not genuinely aboriginal.

People used to get called half casts ...which is highly offensive also

It's degrading to someone's heritage .......no worries and thanks for your curious post

 

[Hardhat11]

Because terms like "half-Aboriginal" and "half-caste" are relics of an awful and traumatic period of history.
"Half-castes" were removed from Aboriginal communities and forced to assimilate with European society, often by being married off.
There was a legal distinction between "full" and "part" Aboriginals, and it was not a pretty one. It broke up families, conferred different rights and changed the way people were treated.
Those kind of terms have historically been used to marginalise the Aboriginality of people by saying "well you're only half-Aboriginal".

Spot on

 

[Hardhat11]

A cup of tea is still a cup of tea even with some milk in it, someone once told me. I can understand why it would be considered offensive for many given the history, but others are quite comfortable saying "I'm half aboriginal half Irish" or whatever.

I,work with aboriginal people and have aboriginal friends ......none would say I'm half aboriginal

 

[Belltower]

Jesus. What a load of crap!
Firstly, there is no such thing as "part" Aboriginal. This term ceased to be used many years ago. A person is either "Aboriginal" or they are not (according to the approved definition). It doesnt matter if only their great-great-great grandmother was Aboriginal...if they meet the criteria of "Aboriginal", they are Aboriginal.
Secondly, people can claim to be whatever they like, but will be asked to prove this. Yes, Aboriginal people are often asked to prove that they are Aboriginal. This usually involves letters from elders in their community who know their heritage and are willing to confirm it.
Thirdly, what benefits do Aboriginal people get that other Australian's dont??.....I work extensively in Aboriginal affairs and I dont know of them. Can you please enlighten me by showing actual proof of this?? Proof isnt "My friends neighbour's cousin told me that an Aboriginal kid at his school gets paid to go to school" either
Finally, If someone has Aboriginal heritage, they can claim they are Aboriginal....But, to do this, they need to also be accepted by their Aboriginal community as Aboriginal. one could not wake up at the age of 50 and discover that a long lost family member was Aboriginal, and then claim that they are Aboriginal. They would have to go thru a process of community acceptance first. And they would have to "identify" and be "accepted" as being Aboriginal.
The "identify" as Aboriginal is a big part of this....this is why some people are seen as "Aboriginal", but their siblings may not be. This is due to one embracing their Aboriginality and one not.

In the mining industry they got a lot of benefit, as the mining companies have agreed to try and meet a quota. Aboriginals as long as they pass the drug test and medicals can get a job on the basis of race only not qualifications. My mate son got a scholarship to Wesley college because he is aboriginal, my daughter was not eligible for that same scholarship. There are lots of advantages of being of aboriginal descent and obviously still some disadvantages. I agree with what is being done to "bridge the gap" and was happy for my mate.

 

[WCEforeverman]

Does this thread really need to be open?

10 year old posts containing racial slurs don't really need to be revisited.

 

[lewigie]

Well hasn't this just been a great ****ing bump.

 

[Miguel Sanchez]

Yep.

Take it to the SRP board.