Stan Grant has written most tenderly about his ancestors, particularly his grandmother Ivy Sutton ("Out of the box", 4-5/5). Quite rightly, he feels affection for the different strands in his make-up. Most Australians have a mixed ethnic make-up, are proud of the various peoples whose blood runs in their veins and respect the pride of others in theirs. Grant is also correct that at times box-ticking on forms is simplistic; but sometimes there's not room for everything. Why, however, does he suddenly end with the assertion that "all across Australia" people just like him "are being asked to deny their family members" and even betray them? What's his evidence? And why when, as he reveals, he is part-white, does he define himself as "born black"? He seems contradictory now. Why the special pleading? Is he trying to gain constitutional favouritism for "blacks"?
Nigel Jackson, Belgrave, Vic.
Authorised by K. W. Grundy
13 Carsten Court, Happy Valley, SA.