04 June 2020

Faith Matters - Helpless

Article by Mr Brendan Nicholls

Faith Matters - Helpless

As we celebrate Reconciliation Week in Australia we have been confronted by scenes of racism, violence and hopelessness across America in response to the death of George Floyd. The lack of dignity afforded to African-Americans and the endless examples of justice not being afforded to those at the margins each day has been gut wrenching and visceral. However, the oppression and exclusion based upon to racial differences is a human and universal problem. In Sydney yesterday a young Indigenous man was violently arrested after being confronted by police officers who chose to escalate rather than communicate. As Reconciliation Week concludes we find that there is much work to do locally and as a global family to resolve the lack of human dignity afforded to those who are different.

As we watch the scenes of desperation in America we are drawn to the image of a man killed by those in authority. Who in the pursuit of maintaining control of those who are oppressed chose power over compassion. Deaf to the cries of a dying man the officers rejected also the anguished cries of those who watched him die. The death of Indigenous man David Dungay in 2015 is similar except for the fact that his name is not known and those involved were cleared of wrong doing. In Australia we do not see scenes like these in the media as they occur out of the public spotlight and far from our community.

In Australia we may not see racism or institutionalised oppression daily. The manner in which Indigenous people are disempowered, marginalised and abused happens out of sight and because of this we as a nation are much further from change than they are in America. In the Outback and far north of our Country and in our prisons the treatment of our Indigenous brothers and sisters is significantly more dehumanising than what we see in America. The imprisonment rates for our First People has doubled in the last decade in Victoria alone. Nationally the imprisonment Indigenous people is more than eleven times higher than non-Indigenous people. These facts are not indicative of a violent or bad people but an illustration of their alienation and disempowerment.

Hopelessness is a devastating emotion. Hopelessness can lead people to reject others and society. It can make people live reckless lives without thought for how their actions affect others. In our faith we are well aware of how adherence to the status quo and a vision of power can crush and destroy a person. Jesus was treated in a similar way to George Floyd. A public display of power and authority that those watching could not stop. David Dungay died in a similar way but is not remembered by the public because it happened behind closed doors. David’s death has not bought about any change or sparked a national debate. In fact, tragically in clearing those involved of any wrongdoing the response to his death ensures others will be treated in the same way in the future.

The reason Reconciliation Week exists in Australia is to highlight the need to move forward as a whole community. The issues involved are too big for any person or group to resolve. Collectively though we can respond to the issues we face and offer our compassion and empathy to bring about the changes needed to achieve equity. To be able to respond to the issue we need to be aware of the facts and the reasons that cause the injustices and imbalances that lead people to end up in prison or behaving in ways that are antisocial or violent.

Reconciliation Week encourages us to become aware of the issues Indigenous people face and in empathy of their powerlessness advocate for change. The confrontation in Sydney yesterday was controlled by the police officers and the choice they made to use force was wrong. How though can we open up dialogue and respect? How could yesterday’s incident have ended differently?

If we listen to our Indigenous brothers and sisters we can find a solution to these types of situations. There is a meditative practice called Didarri that Indigenous people have practiced for many thousands of years. Didarri is a practice of deep listening and awareness. It involves waiting and listening to the things around us and the Spirit that moves within us. In doing so we become aware of the connectedness of all things.

If we apply the practice of Didarri to the incident yesterday we can learn a lot about human dignity and how we as a nation can respond to those who are marginalised and powerless. If we listen without judgement and respond in the understanding that we are all connected the structures of oppression and ingrained beliefs can be dismantled. If we hide the truth or use stereotypes to explain a situation we dishonour ourselves and the other.

As Reconciliation Week concludes let us be guided by our faith and it’s teachings, the Spirit that guides or conscience and the deep listening Didarri inspires. If we enter into Reconciliation in this way as an ongoing process we can be bringers of hope and honour all those who are and have been oppressed.

Yours in Christ,

Brendan Nicholls Religious Education and Liturgy Coordinator

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