Diversity Q & A

Have you been discriminated against or faced prejudice?

Lex

My people have suffered prejudice since first contact with the British.  I feel I need to explain that within two generations of Aboriginal people mixing with whites, our colour is gone.  So from a personal perspective, being a white Aboriginal I face prejudice on a regular basis and have to justify who I am.  I am seen as not black enough for some Aboriginal people and not white enough for some of the white community.  However, new immigrants, very rarely question my Aboriginality.  A lot of my people were shamed and scared to admit that they were Aboriginal because if they did, they could lose their kids.  My aunt is 80 years old and only now is brave enough to admit to her Aboriginality.  For most of her life, she said she was Spanish, because of the fear and shame she was taught to feel.