Marginalised groups in society are often forced to collude with the dominant cultures practices and beliefs in order to survive in a world of unequal power relations. Discuss. - TEE Q1 1998
When certain racial groups are marginalised, such as in a postcolonial society, they are forced to collude with the dominant culture's practices in order to survive. In Australian history, Aborigines were marginalised by paternalistic, oppressive policies instituted since Europeans first colonised in 1788. Not only were Aborigines seen as inferior and as 'other', but they were dispossessed of their own land and found it necessary to use the language of the colonisers in order to survive in a post colonial society. In No Sugar, Jack Davis aims to accurately reflect the marginalisation and indignities Australian Aborigines suffered at the hands of European Australians; and the extent to which Aboriginal families were forced to collude with practices and beliefs not their own in order to survive in a society of unequal power relations.
A 19th century engraving showing Australian "nativ...
English: From frontpiece of Legendary Tales of the...
INDIGENOUS AUSTRALIAN ABORIGINAL DANCERSThe European hegemony that existed in Australia in the 1920's and 1930's is what Davis has shown in No Sugar. Through the use of both personal and historical accounts of Aboriginal interactions with Europeans we are confronted with the marginalisation they faced. This is clearly seen in No Sugar from the very beginning where it is shown in the stage directions,
"Entrances front and rear for whites and Aborigines respectively,"
that the Aboriginal characters are relegated to the back door. Looking at Northam itself, we can also see the centre of town, where the jail and courthouse are located is where the power is centralised. This is a non-indigenous power, we are told the Millimurra-Munday's live on the outskirts of town. This not only emphasises their marginalisation within a society that was once theirs, but also...