A voice in the Koori Mail

A letter to the Editor of the Koori Mail raises some interesting points:

 

Where is our Obama?

Where is our Aboriginal Obama? This question has been asked many times since that magic day on 4 November 2008 when Democrat Barack Obama became the first black American to be elected President of the United States of America. A number of Australians are now asking who will be the first Aboriginal man or woman in Australia to rise to such a high position in politics. While many of us are left wondering, perhaps we should take a moment to reflect on a few things. Firstly, it should be pointed out that the original people of the United States are Native Americans. Barack Obama is African-American. While not belittling this historic and inspiring occasion, or the oratory powers of Obama, perhaps a better question to ask would be 'who will be the first Native American President?' Comparing the first African-American President with a future Aboriginal Prime Minister is worthwhile, but it is a little off the mark. A far more accurate comparison would be between Aboriginal leaders and Native American leaders, of whom very few have risen to political heights. In Australia, two Aboriginal men have been prominent politicians (Neville Bonner and Aden Ridgeway). Several other Aboriginal men and women have held, or currently hold, ministerial positions in State and Territory governments. In comparison, in the United States to date, Charles Curtis, from the Kaw Reservation, has been the highest placed Native American in Federal Government. He was the 31st Vice-President of the United States of America in 1930s under President Herbert Hoover. This political achievement is a very important milestone in world history that is rarely taught. Its significance should never be underestimated. Why African-Americans have achieved more politically than Native Americans or Aboriginal Australians is an interesting question. Is it because of the oratory powers of people like Martin Luther King who drove the civil rights movement, or is it due to the militant efforts of people such as Malcolm X? Some people may say that militant African- Americans were prepared to fight and die for their recognition and equality, while other minority groups around the world have not been ready to fight or die. Perhaps in Australia, some of us have been too divided to achieve solidarity or have been too focused on being the 'victim' to inspire and empower our people to greatness. Perhaps the reason that so many African-Americans and Native Americans have risen to political prominence is because they took up the opportunities that they were given and made the most of these opportunities. Maybe it was because the civil rights movement in American saw the establishment of a 'knowledge nation' of university-educated black people that led to employment in prominent positions in society where they could influence change. Regardless of the barriers in Australia, we can overcome them. In Australia we have some catching up to do before our country has an Aboriginal Obama. But can we achieve this milestone? By supporting other Aboriginal people who have political aspirations to better the whole of Australia – YES WE CAN! NEIL WILLMETT* Brisbane, Qld *Neil Willmett is an Aboriginal businessman and a regular facilitator in the Commonwealth Government Indigenous Men's Leadership Program. He will be attending Barack Obama's Inauguration Day celebrations in Washington on 20 January 2009 to watch Obama become the 44th President of the United States.