At a local festival street parade held recently, my husband’s colleague was disappointed at the lack of representation by her own section of the community, the Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islanders. She decided to try and do something about this and wrote to the Elders and other leaders of her community with an invitation to become involved.
She was having some trouble getting the right wording, so my husband offered to help. I’m so impressed with the message they came up with together.
“This year I was rostered to work the XYZ Festival Street Parade and while I watched all the floats pass in the parade in a celebration of being part of the XYZ community, I became aware that a section of the community was missing and unrepresented: the Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander community of XYZ.
I was disappointed and saddened to think that we have such a rich and diverse culture, that I for one would like to showcase to the wider community.
We talk about cross-cultural training, and educating the community to break down the barriers of ignorance and dispelling of social stereotyping, and wanting to foster a greater understanding of our cultures. I believe by participating and taking an active role in these types of activities and festivities we show we are part of and proud to be in the XYZ community, as opposed to being possibly perceived as being separate or unwilling to join in. What better way to get our message out and show that our communities have so much to offer to enrich our total XYZ community and the enhancement of understanding and unity.
“We are all working toward the goal of having understanding. I have spoken with some of the Police Officers I work with, and I have come to understand that some of the youth in general in XYZ feel outside the community resulting in them engaging in anti-social behaviours such as graffiti, gang violence, damage to public property, etc. The result being the continuation of the stigma associated with XYZ. This is not isolated to any particular community or group. However we are all aware of the problems facing our youth today.
“Perhaps as Elders, leaders, and respected members of our communities we lead by example and make an effort to join together with the larger XYZ community. Let us show the youth and our children that not only do they belong to our communities but they have a place in the wider community XYZ, and the world.
“If by doing this we may be able to encourage our youth to take an active role in these activities and to develop a sense of general belonging to XYZ, taking an active interest in the area creating pride and ownership in XYZ. Possibly diverting their energies into something productive, creative and away from being drawn into the anti-social activities or ways of thinking which is not only destructive to the community but the individuals involved.
“I accept and know that all of us are flat out with work/family and have little time to do anything but, I don’t believe that we alone are the only ones in this situation, and that if other organisations and community groups can make the effort and take the time to participate, I believe we can too.
“I would like to get together with people/organisations and discuss ideas, suggestion and obtain feedback as to how we can best achieve an active participation in organised events in the XYZ area such as the parade, so that next year our community is involved and represented. To show and encourage the talents of our community and youth and children, and the pride we have in our community and the greater community of XYZ, joining in and having fun, working to create the type of society we would all like to live in.”
Perhaps it is a simple thing to be part of a street parade, but grass roots is where the message spreads and hope for the future begins.