Analysing Events surrounding the Day of Mourning (1938), the Freedom

Ride (1965) and the Tent Embassy (1972)



Analysing Events surrounding the Day of Mourning (1938), the Freedom

Ride (1965) and the Tent Embassy (1972)

Introduction

There is no outcome for the fight and struggle, unless there is recognition of it. This is evident from the struggles of Aboriginal people of Australia in their efforts of the Day of Mourning (1938), the Freedom Ride (1965) and the Tent Embassy (1972). All these events ended only as the illegal activities and till the present time, there are only memories of these events but no success. Australian activists fight against inequalities and injustice. All these efforts resulted in getting attention of national and international organizations such as Australian Human Rights Commission (humanrights.gov.au). 26 January 1938 is marked as the Day of Mourning in the history of Aboriginal colonies in Australia. These people kept struggling for their rights and justice. The Freedom Ride (1965) was against the problem of non recognition as a citizen on the basis of racial segregation and the Tent Embassy (1972), was an effort to ask for their right of land. All these events ended with giving new thought and way to fight for their right as a citizen.

Discussion

The 1938 Day of Mourning

It was the day of celebration for the British population in Australia for their colonization of Australia. In contrast to their celebrations, Aboriginal communities in Australia stand against the mistreatment and injustice of Australians with the Aboriginal communities (Maynard, 2007). This protest was led by William Cooper and there were different organization established for the rights of Aboriginal people. Organizations such as Australian Aborigines League (AAL) and Aborigines Progressive Association (APA), provide assistance and support to Boycott the Australian Day Celebrations (www.aiatsis.gov.au). There were many appeals to the Government of Australia and United Kingdom, but there was no recognition for their rights and justice. These people suffered due to the lack of proper facilities of health and education (Maynard, 2007).

There was no proper arrangement for their food or other necessities of life. There was lack of pure drinking water due to which, unhygienic conditions resulted in increase in the morbidity and mortality rate. There was problem of unemployment because, due to insufficient education, these people had no chance to get employment (Sutton, 2009). There were also major issue of injustice, inequalities and there was no right to assist and safeguard these people. These communities suffered mistreatment in Australia and never considered as the Australian citizens. This day was against the White European and Australians who never cared for these Aboriginal communities (www.aiatsis.gov.au). By that time all the efforts and struggles by the aboriginal communities were ignored by the Government and media. This was the final solution to get attention of media and government, and to ask for their rights for equality and justice.

There were many influential figures of that time who played major role in providing assistance to these people. One of the most prominent names was, William Cooper ...