Then again, alot of what of 2×5/326=89 says is meandering rubbish, so in effect, it’s like having a discussion with most Murri’s and Koori’s after all.

At the end of the day what choice do aboriginals have? Assimilate or die? If assimilation is a good option what would be a good way forward?

Like Kev, I too have some experience with Aboriginal communities. At the last one I visited, a local told me he could see no future for the kids, as any that attempted to excel at school were pulled back by the others.

Is this why so few full blooded Aboriginals make a mark?

I don’t doubt there is any amount of the will to succeed that you saw in Aboriginal communities such as Wujal Wujal, Aurukun, Hopevale and Naprinum but the point is to succeed one needs education. You are obviously educated so you know what I mean. When I say education I mean English, maths, science etc with a touch of culture, both black and white, on Friday afternoon. I do not mean dot painting and recently choreographed tribal dances.

I saw school kids at Nullunby, Yirrkala and surrounds whose education (or lack of western style education) was setting them up for permanent victim-hood (some good dot painters among them though)and I knew a young man, son of Galarrwuy, whose third language was English. Every time an elder died he was dragged out of school for two weeks. Three times in one year didn’t help his final grades. and his third language English wasn’t enough to get him a good pass through a good college with every body helping.

Hate me all you like but until people like you, the educated ones of your race, fight for the young kids education across the board then it is a wasted emotion. Every kid at school every school day learning that which will set them up for jobs.

If that standard isn’t available at Yeundemu or elsewhere then move to where it is.

If the parents are in trouble then help them to the point where they are able and conscience of getting their kids to school every school day.

I don’t count a mans skin colour, Mick, just his ability to accept responsibility for his wife, kids and where he lives. What I do dislike is the Lefts misguided take on life that supports victim-hood, poor bugger me mentality, outstations and sit-down money. For the last 30 plus years the Left have done your race a huge disservice and are a part of the cause of the tragic problems we are encountering in far off towns – substance abuse and all it’s causes and effects.

I have neither racism nor hatred in my bones and I am compassionate about the problems of some Australians; causes beyond their ken have dragged them down. They need uplifting, maybe even guiding for awhile, but they do not need poor bugger me stories or antics and/or statements by their leaders that don’t address the real problems.

Get used to the idea Mick. Whatever you have been told or learn’t in the circles you travel in, they are not the opinions of the majority. Most of the population wish you guys well but are getting sick and tired of ideologically based ‘hand-out, keep ‘em in the outstations and out of site’ type programs.

I am aboriginal, Australia Day is a day that your comments about aboriginal people “marks the day your race started coming out of the Stone Age” confirm has underlying racism. The day to celebrate Australian culture could easily be moved to the 27th of May when all Australians were recognised as citizens of this country.

The comments that you posted help no one and play to small minded individuals who will use your comments to fuel their hatred and ignorance towards aboriginal people. You say you have sat down with aboriginal elders so why do speak about Indigenous Australians with such disgust.

I have travelled to aboriginal communities in Cape York such as Wujal Wujal, Aurukun, Naprinum, Hopevale and Kowanyama and have worked mainly with young people in the communities. What I see is a will and determination to succeed as much as any other young Australian.

Mick Dodson is the Australian of the Year because he is an advocate for reconciliation but your comments aim to do the opposite and continue to spread hatred and fear.

You talk about us all being Australian yet you judge Mick Dodson by the colour of his skin not on his achievements in trying to bridge a gap that your comments only serve to widen.

I totally agree. And for me I think, if -for example- Glen McGrath was another heritage, be it aboriginal Australian or Indian, but was still an Australian, would he still receive his NSW award? Yes he would!

If Mick Dodson was not aboriginal Australian then he would not have even been nominated, in effect it was a racist choice.

Not to mention the ideas of Mick Dodson hurt his own people, and Glen McGrath for example is fighting a battle in the name of someone else.

I have traveled to communities on numerous occasions and have engaged in training programs with the youth in Aboriginal communities such as Wujal Wujal, Aurukun, Hopevale and Naprinum. What I have seen with the young people in these communities is a will to succeed just like any other young people in Australia.

Mick Dodson is Australian of the Year because he is an advocate for reconciliation. You are just an advocate for hatred.

Wake up the world has changed

The ‘many’ people who want this sort of symbolic change come from a very small group of the society that also wants them kept in outstations without education or jobs leading them to substance abuse and all its associated problems. They want them to be taught only about their culture and language at the detriment of their lives as they live in our culture and need English to climb up above their problems

Mick Dodson is not helping at all with his ‘Grab the Media’s attention’ statement but while shallow thinkers like you support him then the problem festers.

You need to wake up to yourself and get out in the country an maybe visit an outstation or two and witness first hand what damage left wing policies have wrought on a troubled people.