Ben's Blog

October ’23

For the racists who opposed the voice I have this to say,

You are a bunch of numbskulls!

For the well meaning but confused folks who opposed the voice l say,

Please do not listen to hot-heads like Lydia, who have no constituency.

It is written in the ‘blackfella constitution’ that we must listen to our wise elders, good people like Megan Davis, Marcia Langton, Pat Dodson, Noel Pearson, Rachel Perkins et al.

People with a great track record on fighting for black justice.

You did not have to believe it would improve Indigenous lives,

you just had to believe it probably wouldn’t harm them.

If you believe that having a voice in parliament would actually hinder your ability to achieve your lofty ambitions, such as a fair treaty, then by-all-means, go to the wise elders and do your utmost to convince them of their folly. But if they do not agree with you, what ever you do, do not go making public statements that undermine the cause of your wise elders and the vast majority of your people.

Cop it sweet. Take it on the chin. Take one for the team.

Your personal opinion is not relevant here.

At no time in history has anything ever been achieved via disunity.

Sure, argue the toss amongst yourselves till you are blue in the face, then please shut-the-fuck up!

The idea of rejecting the voice in favour of ‘more concrete measures’ would be laughable if it was not so tragically naïve. We have all seen what an enormous effort it has taken to get people to even consider the concept of a voice, what on earth makes you think they will be more willing to accept more concrete measures instead, like a treaty.

Don’t forget that you have no leverage what-so-ever!

The only people with any leverage in this system are those who can threaten to withdraw their money, their labour or a large block of votes.

Our version of ‘democracy’ has no place for small tribes. It panders to the biggest tribe, the Bogans! They are easy to placate with football and flat screen TVs. Tiny little tribes of angry blackfellas don’t get a look in, as you are no doubt aware. Lacking leverage you must appeal to the better nature of the bogans. Good luck with that! 

To reject the voice in favour of a treaty sounds just like a child who is offered a vegemite sandwich, throwing it in the dirt and demanding,

“No! I don’t want a sandwich, I want an ice cream”.

Well, after losing your sandwich, how are going to get your ice-cream?

What can you threaten if you don’t get it, other than a tantrum?

If you help get the referendum rejected, you won’t be getting much help from all those people who signed ‘The statement from the heart’ after you have undermined all their hard work and crushed their ambitions. You won’t be getting any help from the racists who will feel emboldened by the blow they have dealt to the black rights movement, with just a little help from confused members of that movement.

I myself wonder how things might have looked if the voice had been successful. I imagine it could  have been like the ‘90s under Paul Keeting:

The Redfern speech, ATSIC, blackfellas like Louitja O’Donahue having a say on important issues, being sought out by the press for their opinion and advice.

You never know, it might just have turned out alright.