I have had a student make a complaint in a module I was running - one out of almost 200 hundred students - that one student's comment was seen to be more relevant than the other 200. I decided, due to the stress created, it wasn't worth presenting anymore, so worked out another way to provide the information for the students. I spent a lot of my childhood in a rural town and in remote communities on school holidays. I am subject to lateral violence on a daily basis at work. I live with mental health issues and my incapacity to function to my full potential when I'm unwell is always equated to my intelligence being diminished. I was wished a Happy Australia Day Ignored excluded from social/work invites. In past employment at a hospital people thinking I got the job because I'm Aboriginal and making it difficult to work with them as they would speak to me. In spite of being the most highly qualified Aboriginal academic my contract was not renewed - the reasons why were shrouded in mystery, gossip and innuendo Indigenous colleague placed racial discrimination complaint against myself and other Indigenous staff. Management did not want to deal with it because of the risk that the complainant would take things further It is covert and difficult to describe. XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX Justification of my role. Lack of respect for Aboriginal culture and knowledge. Made to work in hot conditions, had to listen to racist remarks involving the local people ( mining industry ) Mostly, a lack of respect for my prior community and academic experience. My first job was an identified position and people I knew and other work colleagues didn't think I was deserving and that I only got the job because I identified as Aboriginal. I have since gone on to mentor and support other identified entry level workers and found colleagues treated them the same. One referring to my trainee as 'nothing but a little gin' My knowledge and contribution are minimised because there is a perception that Aboriginal people are outside of academia, not within it. References to Aboriginal people as though I/we are not in the room. Invasive questions about myself and my family that other staff don't get asked. Negative student feedback is sometimes racially motivated. XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX Not being invited to meetings in my unit that discuss Indigenous issues as I have been told I am too sensitive. Not respectful to older or long term community workers or activist. Often hear racist attitudes about indigenous students and staff and in the wider community. one student said she didn't have to come to my lectures, as i don't know enough to teach Previously described - but also I am kept on 1 year contacts when non-Aboriginal staff seem to get 3 to 5 year contacts.
50
Page 50 of 56
I’m STILL not a racist, but...