Andrew Bolt/Indigenous Australians

Fantastic dinner party last night, and for those interested I made Borsch as a starter, then Shaun and I made Squid with black ink Risotto (served with salad) and for dessert, Baked Cheesecake with cream. The meal was a resounding success and the colors of each dish so amazing; the bright red/purple of the beetroot, the deep black of the risotto and the creamy white of the cheesecake!

Since there was so much humbug floating around in the delightful conversation, I dragged out Dessaix's On Humbug and we each read from it, which produced spontaneous laughter and then after wards much discussion. My focus next week will be on Germaine Greer's On Rage, not sure, but doubt whether it will be as humorous as Dessaix's book.

At some point, just before everyone left, we turned back our clocks in line with the end of daylight savings and eventually I fell into bed at around 1.45 am or was it 12.45 am and woke this morning after 8 am to the sound of my Magpies warbling.

I read with interest this morning the reported next installment of the court case against Andrew Bolt and although I have a number of views on the subject, I suddenly feel gagged in light of the fact that 'free speech' appears under threat. However, after reading a number of posts Bolt made on his blog in regards to Indigenous Australians, I believe that, rather than being racist himself, he is proposing that an emphasis on skin color (light or dark) and racial identity (Indigenous or non-Indigenous Australians) by Australians (who are also of mixed heritage) is divisive, in that it sets one individual as different and apart from one another. As he said in his 15 April, 2009 post: ...let’s go beyond racial pride. Beyond black and white. Let’s be proud only of being human beings set on this land together, determined to find what unites us and not to invent such racist and trivial excuses to divide. Deal?

My question is: When light skinned Indigenous Australians are provided with funding and opportunities for educational and employment advancement does that reveal an inherent racism, in that funding bodies, Universities and other institutions more likely to support individuals who appear white on the surface, and have been fully inculcated into White culture, rather than those Indigenous Australians who are more obviously culturally and physically Indigenous?

Or does this simply mean that Indigenous Australians of mixed heritage are more informed and perceptive, since they are reaping benefits of the three decade fight for Indigenous justice and can take advantage of a range of opportunities already existing for non-indigenous Australians, which of course is their right?
As much as I applaud the success of those who identify as Indigenous Australians, I lament for the majority (particularly those aboriginals who live in regional and remote areas of Australia) who do not have opportunities to improve their living conditions, access to education and meaningful employment and remain geographically and psychologically on the edge of mainstream Australia. Which leads to my next question: Does providing financial, educational and other support for mixed heritage Indigenous Australians take similar opportunities away from aboriginal Australians who are not savy and unable to represent their needs? And if so, what can be done to overcome this, since their welfare is of concern.