Well, hopefully margo will come along, cos it is a Sydney thing.
Redfern is the pits - major urban Aboriginal community - one of the most troubled spots in Oz. Huge drug, alcohol, violence, crime problems - everything you can imagine.
Also, a centre of Aboriginal activism and radical pride. Lots of money has been poured in, to little effect, it seems.
Bad relationships with police - there have been police "no-go" zones - some efforts to repair things, Aboriginal community leaders involved - some Aboriginal dissonance re police role - some want crime fought, and see police non-presence as racist - many see police as violent agents of white supremacy.
Sadly, an Aborigina youth impaled himself and died when he fell off his bicycle yesterday.
Police say a police car DID pass him, but was about other business - did not even know of tragic accident until summoned to it.
Some/one (?) Aborignal young folk say said youth was being chased by police - and this is why he fell from bicycle - see this as part of police persecution.
Grief +politics + anger + maybe alcohol = riot.
I have no idea if the cops did anything to inflame the situation or not.
40 cops injured - don't know how many residents.
All due to start again tonight.
I do not know where the truth lies.
Sounds like an unfixable mess, doesn't it?
Me too, but sounds like they've been working on improving things there for ages & are a bit stumped ...
Hmmmm - yes - but, the media seldom publishes good news. Who knows? Margo may stop by with words of wisdom.
We've had similar problems with our first nations peoples here too. And of course, so has the US with, most particularly, african americans. And while many communities demonstrate fewer problems, certain areas take their place at the top of the curve, where Redfern seems to be. It is depressingly difficult to repair the consequences of the degredation our culture has forced upon others.
blatham wrote: It is depressingly difficult to repair the consequences of the degredation our culture has forced upon others.
A sad 'amen' to that, Blatham.
Goddamn! This thread is becoming SERIOUS!!!! Stop it!
That was just great, blatham! Just what I needed this morning. I think I know a few Harold the Committeds.
I suspected as much. BTW, the uniform looks great on you!
It's the long black leather boots...you ladies are too too predictable.
Lovely, dys. And then followed by a burst out laugher from deb. Very funny indeed.
dys, I recognize those and I love them........they're as good as black shiny ones. Fashion, fortunately allows for variety. Can I have some of both please?
Ooh! Men in boots! Ooh, ooh!!!
