Book Review: Colouring the Rainbow

Colouring the Rainbow

Blak Queer and Trans Perspectives

Life Stories and Essays by First Nations People of Australia

Editor:                          Dino Hodge

Publisher:                     Wakefield Press

Type:                              Soft Cover

Pages:                             252

Genre:                            non-fiction

Published:                      2015

ISBN:                              9781743053935

 This book is exactly as described on the cover, we have stories and essays about being both Aboriginal and Queer. 
 While some of the essays delve a little too deeply into "UNI-speak" for me personally, i still found them interesting reads. 

 The real gems here though are the true life stories, we see Australians fighting for basic human rights in our modern world while struggling to keep their inherent spirituality. 
We hear of people who survived horrific accounts of homophobia / transphobia, in isolated outback town. 
We hear gut wrenching stories of bullying, violence, discrimination and the depression and suicide that this can cause. Reading this it reminds me jut how important the Safe Schools program is, and how instead of being scraped it should become mandatory in all schools. Surely the fact that the vocal opponents of Safe Schools  do not want LGBTQ children to survive until adulthood, is a perfect example of why Safe Schools is so needed. Sorry i digress.

 We also find within tales of acceptance, and did you know that before invasion/colonisation at least some tribes accepted LGBTQ people as they recognised the natural diversity of human sexuality. If you want to talk about traditional marriage in Australia you would have to start here.

 We hear how at least one contributor is trying to make amends for their own homophobic behavior, which they adopted at school as a way to protect themselves, yet another example of the need for Safe Schools.

 One poor soul even drew the reportedly malicious attentions of the, (legally confirmed) racist and  homophobic (by his own words) Andrew Bolt. you may remember Andrew Bolt from his recent major hussy-fit after he (by his own admission) violently "assaulted" someone for merely playing a prank on him. Andrew Bolt's defenders are saying that Bolt should escape charges because Bolt's homophobia runs so deep that the mere physical contact with glitter enrages him into hysterical violent attacks.
I should note that as of this writing charges of assault have yet to be applied to him, and i believe he is trying to play the victim in this encounter, it seems apparent that the mainstream media are quite willing to side with him.
 But that event was only recent and is not related to the matter in this book, it would appear Andrew Bolt has a long history of seemingly attacking minority's while being a very sensitive snowflake himself. 

 Please for your own safety do not try and enlighten Andrew Bolt by sprinkling glitter about him or his person. In fact its best not to glitter anyone against their wishes, no matter how disgusting they are.

 

 The book has an extensive notes section, glossary, bibliography and index. I would highly recommend this book if your interested in Australian history, LGBTQ issue, or Aboriginal Australians.
 Every commentator on Aboriginal, or LGBTQ issues in Australia should read this book before next opening their mouths, or putting finger to keys.

 Why does the media consult homophobes about LGBT issues and racists about Aboriginal issues? It just seems ass-backwards to me, why don't we instead see the opinions of scholars and the people these issues actually effect. It would be like the media getting the opinion of the Nazi groups every time a local Jewish school held a fete, no one wants or needs their opinion!

                                         Helpful Links:

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community Website. 

NAIDOC Week

ACON Aids council of NSW

QuAC QLD Aids council

Open Doors Youth Service

Beyond Blue 

Australian Pride Network

Book Review: Burrunjor

 BURRUNJOR

 The Search For Australia's Living Tyrannosaurus 

Author:                           Rex & Heather Gilroy

Publisher:                         URU Publications

Type:                                 Soft Cover

Pages:                                336

Genre:                               non-fiction

Published:                        2011

ISBN:                              9780987226204
                                         9781326839390 

 This book explores the fascinating fact that people, often through no fault of their own, continue to encounter large reptilian beasts in the outback and rugged bush of Australia.

 The book itself is well made, it is resplendent with black and white photos and drawing thorough. One criticism i have of some of the photos is that rock art and foot prints seem to have been outlined. While i understand this is so they appear easier in print, i can also see some "skeptics" scoffing that the evidence was just drawn on in chalk. While i am sure this is not the case, it is a shame that maybe two pictures couldn't be included for some of them, one with outlines and one with out for comparison.

 Speaking of evidence we have examples of whiteness testimony, and remember one witness claiming you did a crime in court is enough to get you killed even in some democracy's. I don't think any of these witnesses had any benefit in coming forward, in fact most were ridiculed by friends and family when they told of their harrowing encounters.
 We are shown tracks many of them have been measured, photographed, sketched and even cast in plaster. I should note that these tracks match no accepted extant animal species in Australia, or the world for that matter. And it should also be noted that these tracks are not fossilized! Meaning they are from recent footfall of some unknown animal. 
 Evidence of kills that could only have been from a large carnivore have been discovered, in some cases witnesses have caught the culprit in the act. Some of the poor animals have been prize winning cattle, not something any farmer is going to kill on a lark.
 In a similar vein the beast has been seen destroying property, I can attest to the difficulty in dealing with an insurance claim for a natural disaster, i cant imagine the insurer being any less helpful, but i recon blaming property damage on a creature thought to be extinct might get you there.

 Now for those who, due to a woeful misunderstanding of scientific method, believe that such a creature can not exist because it has not been declared extant by established science, a common theme will emerge upon reading any Cryptozoology book. When witnesses go to establishment scientists they are often ridiculed, scientific institutions in Australia have a long history of "losing" evidence, and so called "skeptics" professional or not, have a bad habit of making unfounded claims without looking at or considering the available evidence. The witness only "obligation" is to provide whatever evidence they have, then it is up to "the scientist" to investigate that evidence.

 So enough of my ranting lets get back to this book. The forward entices the reader into exploring the subject of tyrannosaur like beasts that have been sighted within Australia (and New Guinea) from way back in the Aboriginal Dreamtime to at least the publish date of this book.

 The book looks at what the beast could be and how it might have come to still be roaming the Australian bush. It should be noted that this book appears on some whack-a-doodle young earth websites. These donkeys seem to think, by some fantastic leaps of acrobatic style logic,  that any existing prehistoric creature somehow proves their particular brand of religion. For the record this book does not in any way support a "young earth" fallacy, the book even shows some fossilized prints and skeletons. It also does not support any unscientific anti-evolutionary nonsense. 
 Rex Gilroy has been an avid explorer of Australian mysteries since 1957, he is known as the father of Australian Cryptozoology and associating him and his work with such anti-science does a disservice to him and to the whole scientific field.

 I can recommend this book to anyone interested in Australia, history, Aboriginal culture, dinosaurs, and Cryptozoology.

Also

Dishonoring the Australian flag.

Dishonoring the Australian flag.

 

 In the lead up to Australia day,  George Christensen the homophobic and child hating Liberal senator has introduced a bill into parliament in order to make burning the Australian flag illegal. It should be noted here that the bill relates to the Australian National Flag and the Australian Red Ensign flag. It does not effect the treatment of the Aboriginal flag or the LGBT flag strangely enough...

 Some claim that people fought and died for the flag, this is admittedly an 'alternative fact', which actually means its a lie. People don't fight for a flag, they fight for the ideals it symbolises. Ideals like freedom to protest, freedom of religion, our constitution, equality and a fair go for all, and sticking up for the underdog.

 As you may be aware bigots and Australian terrorists have draped themselves in the Australian flag. They have succeeded in making our flag a symbol of hate and fear. They may have desecrated the flag beyond all hope of salvation.

 Knowing that, if burning the flag is an act against hate crimes, oppression, racism, bigotry, homophobia, religious intolerance, and terrorism, is that act really a bad thing?

  Again the problem is what the flag has come to symbolise, not what is done to the flag in protest of that symbolism. If we are not going to police what the flag stands for, is it time for a new Australian flag?

  After taking a look at the bill it seems Christensen might be working against his own interests here. The bill actually includes the terms; 

  'Dishonoring the flag with intent to offend, insult or intimidate any group of people would be illegal'

 He doesn't seem like the most informed or reasoned person so he probably doesn't realise that the hate speech he and those like him spout about non-Christians, LGBT Australians and children could never be spoken anywhere near a flag again without legal repercussions. 

 The terrorists and racists who don the flag would have to be arrested on the spot.

 Pauline Hanson would have to be very careful with her many media appearances, she has a history of using the Australian flag and its difficult to find a speech where she didn't intentionally offend, or insult some group for political gain. 

 Obviously police numbers would have to be increased just to arrest and charge right wing politicians.

 While it would be good to see fear mongering, child bullying, racist, science denying, sexist, homophobic, bigots out of politics and in prison. 

 I am sure if this was not a right wing bill it would be called "political correctness" gone mad, and the alt-right would moan that people shouldn't be charged for hurting the delicate feelings of the triggered special snowflakes. But such arguments are only used by the right when they disagree with something.

 

 I honestly don't know how i feel about this bill, if it is implemented justly it could do some good, but i fear it would only be enforced when it serves the current right wing governments agenda.

 Perhaps its a little late for this bill, or perhaps the burning of the flag part should be removed.

What do you think? What does the flag symbolise to you now? What do you feel it should symbolise? Do we need a new flag? Is Christensen's bill a good idea, would you change anything in it?

http://parlinfo.aph.gov.au/parlInfo/search/display/display.w3p;page=0;query=BillId%3Ar5628%20Recstruct%3Abillhome

 http://www.ausflag.com.au/

 

Reactions to the dondale chrisis.

Reactions to child abuse.

 Most Australians were appalled and disgusted by the horrible revelations made by the four corners program. This program exposed the government sanctioned abuse and torture of children in detention. 

 Some Australians however reacted in a very different way. They took to Parliament to try to water down our anti-discrimination laws. I am so ashamed that some Australians reaction to seeig Aboriginal children tortured was to try to remove the limited protections they have under the law.

 It should be noted that our anti-discrimination laws are only ever used in the most heinous and public of cases.

 We can see a few familiar faces behind this pro-racism push. 

 There is Cory, who made a name for himself with his homophobia, but he seems to be spreading his prejudice around. Cory has loudly attacked the freedom of speech of his victims, when those victims accurately describe his attacks as homophobia.
 It should be noted that he did not seek to change the fact that the big religions are exempt from most anti-discrimination laws.

And we cant forget Pauline ruler of One Nation, who has made racism and bigotry her platform as a professional politician. Pauline is well known for her attacks on freedom of speech and expression.

 Roberts of One Nation seems to be a conspiracy theorist. I think the fact someone voted for him means we need a re-think of our voting system, like at least making information on the candidates available to the voting public.

 I cant see much information on Brian Burston, being that he is pro-racism and willingly joined One Nation we can probably assume sadly, that he shares its other bigoted views.

 Rod Culleton is another One Nation member, i cant see much about him, other then he claims to have helped farmers against the banks, and has had a larceny conviction annulled. One wonders as he is with One Nation, if he would support farmers of another race, religion or sexuality?

 These people and their pro-racism reaction to the Dondale kids expose sicken me. If they are your government representatives please let them know we need to strength anti-discrimination laws, not weaken them.

Review: Australian Poltergeist

 Australian Poltergeist

The Stone-Throwing Spook of Humpty Doo and Many Other Cases.

Audio Review

Author:                                Tony Healy & Paul Cropper

Publisher:                            Strange Nature

Type:                                    Soft Cover

Pages:                                   292

Genre:                                  non-fiction

Published:                            2014

ISBN:                                   97819211340

 The book itself is well made, it is seven inches wide, ten inches tall and over half an inch thick. The book has a great amount of black and white photos thorough and a few newspaper clippings and sketches.

 The book delves briefly into the history of the Poltergeist starting off in 355 CE and examines cases up to 1998. I will note that the book does use the antiquated BC/AD instead of the secular BCE/CE. The difference between Poltergeists and Ghosts in examined as well as possible causes, folklore, and some very poignant observations about 'skeptics'.

 This book is at its heart a catalogue of cases. Each case is given a five star rating with the weakest accounts getting zero stars and the most documented getting five stars. Each entry is also listed by the name given to the case, the location it occurred and the year or years the Poltergeist manifested.

 Chapter one deals with the Humpty Doo Poltergeist from the title, from there each chapter deals with a particular case. 
 The second chapter in addition to detailing the Mayhap case from Western Australia, also references Min Min, UfO's and Phantom Hands. 
 Chapters three and four deal with a haunted cowshed and a haunted prostitute respectively.
 The cases in chapters five and seven are from 1935 and 1887. It is interesting to hear the language of the times used in the reports.
 Chapter eight may detail a gay ghost.
 The Dubbo poltergeist of NSW in 1891-1894 details an Australian Kobold and parallels the Bell Witch phenomenon.
 Chapter twelve is different in that it shows all fifty two cases in lesser detail. These cases come from all over Australia and manifested in1845 to 1998. 
  Chapter thirteen takes a closer look at some possible causes and some interesting scientific findings. 
 The appendix takes a close look at three Djinn cases, with some short descriptions on fish falls, ball lightning, spook lights, UFO's, cosmic prankster, Yowie, alien big cats, and astral travel among other topics.

The book has an extensive bibliography and index. Every page has footnotes where they are relevant. 

 This is an amazing book, and i can highly recommend it to anyone interested in Australian history, folklore, and of course Parapsychology.

Fair Dink'um: Murrandoo Yanner

Fair Dink'um 

 Murrandoo Yanner

 You have to admire the true Australian spirit of those who stand up for the little guy, who defend the underdog and say it like it is.

You can watch instead of reading

 Pauline Hanson a professional politician from the One Nation party. One Nation has racist, homophobic, Islamophobic, and unconstitutional policy. Hanson herself has a long history of racism towards Aboriginal Australians, Asians and her latest target are Muslims.  She has been consistently prejudiced against LGBT Australians.
 She is popular among 'low information' voters who see her calculated fear mongering and oversimplified "solutions" as common sense.

 Pauline Hanson recently took a film crew unannounced to an Aboriginal art exhibit presumably to try to fool gullible people into thinking she was not racist. 

 Murrandoo Yanner is an Aboriginal community leader who defended his people and common decency by saying what most Australians are thinking. He was having none of her nonsense and colorfully told her where to go saying:

'-You picked on Aboriginal people. 
Now you are kicking the Muslims around, you are just a racist redneck with your red hair,
Go away, go back to Ipswich and your fish and chip shop, you're disgraceful, you are intellectually dishonest and you are not welcome here.'

 Unfortunately only part of the exchange was caught on camera. But we see Mr Yanner defend his people and then go on to defend Australians freedoms. As Hanson walked away not wanting to publicly address her behavior the crowd applauded Mr Yammer. 
 Perhaps she didn't expect Aboriginal people to be there or didn't expect to be called out on her past behavior, in any event she couldn't get out of there fast enough. 
 If i truly believed Hanson was just ignorant i would hope that this episode might show her how her abuse effects real people. But I don't think she is just ignorant, she has had many years to educate herself and to see how her abuse effects people, yet she seems to continue to offer scapegoats and illogical over simplified 'solutions' to 'problems' she herself often exasperates.
  Sadly we will see other racists try to twist this around and defend her racism. But i have an admittedly naive hope that some of her followers may see this and actually look into her past racism and realise discrimination and prejudice is not the answer.