Now the Word “Aboriginal” is Offensive; Use Only “First Nations”! By James Reed
If one does a search via Google of courses at Australian universities, there are courses on Aboriginal studies, which is fair enough. And there is a government department of Aboriginal Affairs and Reconciliation. However, the latest big woke thing is that the term "Aboriginal" is now considered insensitive, and no doubt will soon be classified as "racist." Instead the lobby want to use "First Nations." This sets up the narrative to see Aborigines as a "nation," when their diverse group of tribes was nothing but. However, using the term will make the movement to state treaties easier, so the line is being pushed.
Resist it!
"A prominent academic and self-described 'part-Aboriginal Australian' insists there is nothing offensive about the word 'Aborigine' and he will go on using it.
Anthony Dillon, a well-known commentator on Indigenous affairs, said no one had been able to explain to him why the term was now considered insensitive.
He believed some Australians who identified as Indigenous might not feel comfortable that 'Aborigine' could evoke an image of a person who was 'clearly and unmistakably a full-blooded Aboriginal person'.
'I have no problem with the word,' Dr Dillon told Daily Mail Australia.
'Twenty, 30 years ago it was fine but then overnight someone said you're not allowed to use that word. I said, "Why?" and a reason was never given.
'It was like the term "part-Aboriginal" - that was fine for many years and then overnight someone said, "Oh, that's offensive".
'Now, I'm open to hearing the reason but no one has offered me a reason yet.'
Human rights group Amnesty International advises on its website against calling someone an Aborigine, even if they are Aboriginal.
"'Aborigine" is generally perceived as insensitive because it has racist connotations from Australia's colonial past, and lumps people with diverse backgrounds into a single group,' it states.
'If you can, try using the person's clan or tribe name. And if you are talking about both Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, it's best to say either "Indigenous Australians" or "Indigenous people".'
Dr Dillon, an honorary fellow at the Australian Catholic University, said there was nothing offensive about calling someone an Aborigine.
'I think it was just arbitrary,' he said. 'Also, perhaps "Aborigine" conjures up images like the guy on the $2 coin, that sort of thing.'
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