1_Systemic racism- WHY?

1_Systemic racism- WHY?

1. Colonialism

   • over-riding of Indigenous culture with white culture
     • establishing white culture as the norm
       • Aboriginal people considered inferior/un civilised
         • Because they are different
           • different skin colour
           • different belief systems
           • different way of living
           • greater connection with land
           • different religious beliefs
         • seen as wasting land because they used it differently
       • to feel safe
     • unwilling to accept ways of living other than their own
     • fear of difference
     • framing difference as wrong
       • didn't know any other way other than own
     • trying to establish power through dominance
       • to feel safe
     • fear of being wrong
     • fear
   • wanting to 'conquer' existing culture to establish their own
     • couldn't share
       • because Indigenous cultures had 'best' spots e.g. close to water sources
         • to ensure own survival
           • Afraid of new/unknown land
     • view that two cultures cannot co-exist
       • Because white culture more sophisticated
         • Indigenous culture seen as primitive/ savage
   • acquiring land/countries seen as power
     • because every one else was doing it
       • becomes a race for power

2. fear

   • Fear of being the only one who speaks out
     • not supported
       • policies/ procedures/ frameworks
       • peers
       • superiors
       • The system in general
       • time pressures
       • resources
       • to be flexible
       • operate outside of the 'norm'
       • to have an opinion
       • to access mentorship/ advice/ training
     • fear of being outcast
     • being seen as a trouble maker
       • making it about the person instead of the situation
   • difference and things/people you don't understand
     • Not exposed to other cultures
     • don't acknowledge own culture and beliefs
     • subscribing to sterotypes
       • media
       • government
         • Influence over masses
       • personal experience
         • generalising exp. to whole population
           • human nature
           • not being taught that's the wrong thing
           • inability to acknowledge own prejudice/ beliefs
       • experiences of others
   • Racism anxiety
     • Because being a racist makes you a bad person
     • losing own power

3. The media/ government

   • government/ media making things into 'buzz words' e.g. close the gap
     • to make money
     • to generate interest
     • to influence opinions
     • To pay lip service
       • To disguise the fact that little action has been taken
   • misuse of terms to have different/ skewed meanings
   • Misrepresenting racist occurances
     • Turning it into a media frenzy
   • Band-Aid solutions
     • As get support politically

4. Health care is catered to white people

   • Because white is still considered the norm
     • EBP under represents minorities
     • Because Indigenous people aren't recognised in constitution
       • No link between Indigenous human rights and health outcomes
         • Because Aboriginal health is outsourced to NGO's
           • No consensus on who's "problem" Aboriginal Health is
             • Federal vs. state
               • No overarching frame work in place to navigate Indigenous health
                 • Top down approach
                   • Whiteness as knowing best
                   • Based on behavioural approaches
                 • Trying to change outcomes without changing source of problem
             • Belief that money translates into outcomes
     • Still don't acknowledge dispossession and colonialism as a country
     • 'out of sight, out of mind' mentality
       • We are not asked to think about the lived reality of Indigenous people
         • People don't think it's their job to tackle racism
           • its too hard
           • don't know how
           • dont care?
           • happened a long time ago
           • don't realise that racism occurs every day for some people
   • Because country sill run by upper class white men
   • whiteness is invisible
   • Bio medical model is a Western model
   • Operates on a western view of health and wellbeing
     • Doctor knows best
       • because they have academic background
         • had money/opportunity to study
           • Social determinants of health
     • Don't cater to difference
   • white priveledge
     • We don't think there's a problem