Australia’s double standard: Blak protests vilified while white rage tolerated

The same people who applaud Pauline Hanson’s antics condemn Lidia Thorpe’s actions — because she doesn’t fit their agenda.

When Lidia Thorpe disrupted an event with King Charles to protest the monarchy’s long and brutal history of colonisation, some responded by saying she should just quit politics, and Australia all together, if she doesn’t like it.

It’s an ignorant, obscene assertion.

And if only it were that simple.

Being Aboriginal, the topic of land rights and treaties is often discussed at my family dinner table.

Monarchy is a reminder of genocide for many Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. Picture: AFP

The King coming to visit doesn’t excite all of us. It clearly enrages many of us.

Like Senator Thorpe, many Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders are reminded of the genocide of our people by the monarchy.

The argument that Aboriginal Elders have welcomed the King and therefore Senator Thorpe should “fall in line” assumes all First Nations people have the same beliefs.

That assumption alone is racist.

Just because Elders have shown forgiveness and kindness does not mean they aren’t hurting themselves.

After all, peace has always been the desired outcome — an outcome we’ve sought even while constantly having to endure injustice.

And no, not wanting to accept a system that puts the lives of our people at risk is not waging a war.

At last night’s dinner table discussion, my mother said something that hit me hard.

She condemned the Senator’s actions, then followed with, “our people are such a minority in this country that if you don’t play the part they want you to, they will push you out and make it even harder for us.”

There’s no denying that she’s right. Mum may not have agreed with Senator Thorpe’s tactics, but she does support her message.

As do I.

The issue I’ve always had with Lidia Thorpe is the spectacles. I’ve often believed in what she stands for, but felt her tactics made a mockery of our culture.

She has continuously given the racists in this country a reason to cast hate.

I thought the important issues she fought for were never taken seriously because of the chaotic way she drew attention to them.

But why?

Peaceful negotiations and simply asking for respect and recognition haven’t gotten us very far.

Take a look at history — Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders have tried for decades to work within the system, to have our voices heard. From land rights marches to the countless peace talks, how much has really changed for our people?

We still aren’t even recognised in the constitution, and gaps are widening.

After The Voice was denied, I thought this might happen.

When the basic rights of someone are denied over and over again to the point they’ve been pushed to the edge, what do you expect them to do?

Just roll over or fight?

Yes, Senator Thorpe makes quite the commotion and takes very questionable, extreme measures.

But peaceful protesting has proved to be redundant. The YES campaign was met with blatant racism and aggression for just speaking their truth.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders have tried for decades to work within the system. Picture: Supplied

The voices of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders just don’t seem to want to be heard by many people in this country — no matter the approach.

So, Senator Thorpe’s actions convey: ‘If you don’t want to listen, I will make you listen,’ and it’s generated a lot of conversation.

Has it shifted policy or dismantled the monarchy? Not yet.

But it has forced people to face the ongoing resistance, and that’s a start.

So now, I say … get it, sis.

This country doesn’t seem to care as much when the same theatrics are conducted by others, especially when they aren’t directed at White Australia.

We are so accustomed to the racist actions of Pauline that it is accepted. Often not batting an eyelid, “Oh, that’s Pauline being Pauline.”

Is it more acceptable when a white woman stands up for what she believes in, even when it’s extremely harmful?

Pauline Hanson’s supporters applaud her for ‘having the guts to say what you’re thinking’. Picture: Supplied

Taylah Gray shared that “the same way Pauline Hanson’s supporters applaud her for ‘having the guts to say what you’re thinking’ is equivalent to Blackfullas supporting Lidia Thorpe’s royal reception interruption. The only difference is, Pauline gets away with the rhetoric of hate speech and Lidia gets escorted out.”

Let’s take a look at what has been let slide.

During Senator Hanson’s maiden speech to parliament in 1996, she uttered her now infamous words: “I believe we are in danger of being swamped by Asians.”

“We’re bringing in people from South Africa at the moment. There’s a huge amount coming into Australia, who have diseases; they’ve got AIDS,” she said in 2006.

Then, of course, one of the most outrageous acts in parliament was when she wore a burqa.

There’s a fixation on Senator Thorpe’s “disruptions” while letting Senator Hanson’s racially charged outbursts go unchecked. The hypocrisy is deafening.

Lidia’s actions convey: If you don’t want to listen, I will make you listen. Picture: Getty Images

So why is it that Senator Thorpe’s actions — a fight for justice and survival — are vilified, while Senator Hanson’s hate speech is tolerated and normalised?

Is it because it’s harder for Australia to ignore the truth when it’s being screamed from the mouths of Blak women?

It’s time we stopped focusing on the spectacle and started hearing the message.

Originally published as Australia’s double standard: Blak protests vilified while white rage tolerated