brycetaylorblog

[brycetaylorblog]

Misplaced fright.

Stop pretending, stop deflecting. 

•

Start acting, start taking responsibility. 

•

Or, just stop .............

The last two weeks have been draining. I couldn't work out why all of a sudden in the space of a week seemingly everyone was looking to engage us for work. Then we realised ... 

"Oh it's reconciliation week coming up". 

A week where Aboriginal rights, issues, and traumatic histories are thrust to the forefront. For a week.

 From a personal perspective though it's fine. What our ancestors endured and the dispositions they were condemned to make anything I face today pale and incomparable. So it is what it is.... 

I take the window of opportunity to work hard and elevate the voices and opportunities of our young people so we can continue to build stronger generations of fortitude and virtue - never far from the 80,000 years of culture and strength that courses through us all. 

Then reality slaps me in the face. 

An unarmed George Floyd is killed by police for allegedly writing bad cheques (he wasn't). Then bitterness returns. 

Bitterness resurfaces because since being in Melbourne I need to be honest this place is susceptible to at times being a pretentious echo chamber where I constantly hear of Indigenous this, first Nations that, RAP this, reconciliation that. But there's a very pressing question that needs to be asked and answered honestly - what do you honestly see and feel when you look at a black man? 

Because I hear the discourse, I hear the political unpacking  and dissecting and analysing on Twitter or panels. Even people who claim they support me I can't help but ask. 

Where were you when I had to wrestle a blade out of my loved ones hand? Where were you when I had to mediate with officers when my brothers face was in the pavement? Where were you when I slept on the floor because people at home  needed my bed more than me. - More so, explain to me why when I needed a place to stay before moving down my inbox was empty but whenever you need someone to support you you’ve ‘got my back’ and ‘support me’. But don’t even dare to step into my world even though I’ve worked hard to live in yours?

Because all this bullshit is exactly that.... Bullshit. All your systems change, all your social equity lunches and panels are gammin. Because the follow through isn't there. So as long as you view black and native people anywhere in the world as a cause to solve, and communities where its a  “help us, help you” situation. Knees will always be in our face, cars will always creep slow, and charges will always be acquitted. 

And you know why? Because our communities aren’t the problem. Your systems are and they don’t change. Because you don’t actually change them - Despite claiming to. 

Stop talking to us, and start talking to police. Stop trying to include us in discussions and start having them with judicial systems. Stop asking us for more and more input and start acting on what we’ve already told you. Have honest conversations with your family and friends. We can’t make you understand places you don’t tread, or people you won’t talk to - Outside a political scope. 

I think you’re scared...... But its misplaced fright, because you’re scared in offices, and cafes. Our people are scared whenever we hear that knock, hear that engine slowing down, or those flashing lights wake us up. 

[brycetaylorblog]

Necessary Work

Photo Credit: Will Bruinsma, Palm Street Journal.

Courtesy of: Take Pride Movement.

In 2015 I was working in the South Australian Community of Oodnadatta as part of a volunteer assignment. Literacy improvement in the school was my primary focus, in addition to various other smaller roles like after school engagement through sport etc. But the most important thing to note is that when you work in community whether thats in the city, on the coast/bush or out in the desert the work doesn’t finish when the clock does. 

Naturally I have alot of love for that community to this day, and all the communities that I have been apart of in some way shape or form. Its for that reason that without turning a blind eye to the very real and raw issues throughout the country, we need to hold together strong on empowerment, and defeat this stigmatizing narrative based on deficit language that has made disadvantage inherently tied to our young people’s identities before they are even born. 

That’s why I feel that we have an obligation to do necessary work. So in 2018, with the help and support of a solid bloke named Brad. We commenced working on a project called MIND that aims to maximize young people’s perception of themselves through equipping them with tools and techniques to support mental wellness. Unfortunately for us though, the more success the program garnered, the harder it was to sustain. Because although the demand was there from the community, the money to sustain longevity wasn’t. 

That’s why I am so thankful and appreciative of the Koorie Youth Council who have allowed me to continue the work in this space. Although I am not from Victoria, they identified the passion that I use to drive positive outcomes in a meaningful, non tokenistic way. Since being here I have learnt alot about the history of the strong nations that make up this region. In particular the Gunditjamara and Yorta-Yorta people, nothing resonates with me stronger than whenever Indi says “we stand on the shoulders of giants”. 

Because it was those before my time who have bared the brunt of colonization in its various insidious forms to allow my generation’s potential to shine through. When I speak and connect with the young ones now, it is my only hope that I and we can do the same for them.   

[brycetaylorblog]

Our Responsibility

Pictured: Myself.

Courtesy of: Take Pride Movement.

Photo by: Will Bruinsma/Palmstreet Journal.

I spend a lot of time thinking, consulting and working on the most effective ways to help our next generation to understand their strengths, what they are and how we nurture them. But today I ask, what about us? The established professionals in our respective communities. What is our role? Not what is our job. But what is our role? when does that role begin? When does it finish?

What are our responsibilites??

I’d like to begin illustrating a couple of points through the perspective of American intellectual Dr. Cornel West. 

“If you look at the world through the lens of the masses of people who are poor and working people. Under what conditions gives those people security? Under what conditions can they have security from domination?” 

Dr West then goes on to talk about what conditions enable dignity and that those conditions are quite often restricted by the 'is. Whether that be the feudalism of Europe or the capitalism of the United States. 

In order to expand and secure such conditions kings and Queens need to be overthrown. The crown needs to be rebelled and driven from such lands in the name of these liberties. 

A common theme amongst each is that by and large through every circumstance moral questions and dilemmas have arose.

Dr. West illustrates how the brother with property, the brother with resources or let's say in this context, 'a condition of comfort’.

Does this individual, this brother potentially risk his limited condition for comfort in favour of fighting alongside his brothers who have nothing  … Or does he be 'grateful' and remain content with the condition of which he is able to have comfort?

As professionals in any space. We have been afforded a condition of comfort from a system rooted in the dispossession of this country. Yes we worked hard to be here, yes we earned it. 

However that doesn’t negate the reality that many in our communities still don’t have the opportunity to do the same. So, given the position that we have been afforded, what could we do more of? Less of perhaps? 

With regard to mental health specifically…

I Initially wanted to share with you my thoughts on simplicity. The means I have found to be effective are enabling access for young people to develop coherence around baseline wellbeing. Eating better, exercising more, communicating and thinking kindly. 

However, I wonder if we as the professionals ourselves are coherent? We spend money on evaluations and admin because it's a given right? We spend money on training, we spend money on consulting. 

Yet I know community members who are dipping into their own pockets to fund art groups in the park. I know people who work fulltime and give up their weekends to facilitate programs for kids out of school. I also know ambitious and aspirational young people who have abandoned their dreams because they couldn't sustain their work. 

So what I would like to leave any person here today with any type of influence or power, or those who may be reading rather than listening in this case. Are you prepared to potentially sacrifice your condition of comfort to provide others with the condition of security? If you are what is the outcome? If you're not, what are you motivated by?

[brycetaylorblog]

It Hurts

Watching you care so much, making sacrifices for me. It hurts ..... 

Knowing you’re in pain. Me feeling helpless.... Useless..... It hurts.

Trying my best to do for you, give you what you deserve. Wanting you to heal, it hurts.

Watching your strength, your resilience, your beauty and grace as you grow. 

Your independence, your sincerity and power that is entirely and truly you... 

You don’t need me anymore, it hurts .... 

knowing that in time the happiness and pride you gave me, you will eventually give someone else, it hurts .....

You're healed now, you're strong. I’m proud and I love you...... 

But it hurts ...........   

[brycetaylorblog]

[brycetaylorblog]

We resist humanity, then ask where it went...

Pictured: 22 year old Alaa Salah leading a protest against former Sudanese dictator Omar Al-Bashir in Khartoum, Sudan.

Generally when I write I try to convey a message, an idea. A type of avenue that we as everyday people can follow to make our own little worlds better places one by one in the hope that if everyone does so, inevitably the world as a whole will become better. 

I try to write with a sense of hope, a sense that its all in our hands and that our minds and actions can will our hope into a reality for us all..... 

However as of now, I write with emotion ..... emptiness. Because as I write this now in June, it distresses me to think that it was only April that we witnessed the stunning and time will prove to be iconic picture of Alaa Salah, the young woman of Sudan who literally stood tall in the face of oppression in the events leading to former dictator Al-Bashir being overthrown.

The image at the time conjured feelings of immense hope, strength and pride as not just Sudan but the world witnessed this in awe.

However where there is thunder there is rain ... Because what followed this capture unfortunately has remained consistent with the pattern of destabilized states for thousands of years........ Carnage.  

It is at this point that I would like to make it explicitly clear that I am not a person who is in a position let alone an authority to talk about any of this... But I am, because I feel and I care. But more than that, I am tired from witnessing humans tearing themselves from their own sense of consciousness. 

This consciousness that we express when we hold a child, interact with an animal, provide a necessity to those who don’t have it, or offer protection to the defenseless.These are the things that make us as purely human as we can be to our very core. Yet we continue to follow these patterns that always lead to the same destructive outcomes.

It is for this reason that I feel helpless, useless. Because in Sudan, a country that produces an abundance of some of the most compassionate, charismatic and loving people I have met. They have finally, after years witnessed the end of a totalitarian regime.......... To then be replaced by another, resulting in ‘civil unrest’ which is a pretty means of communicating mass rape, torture and murder of innocent people in a continued perpetuation of indifference through protecting the senses and sparing the graphic details for those who live an existence so far removed from the infinite suffering inflicted upon our own brothers and sisters.   

As a friend of mine has stated, we need to be uncomfortable about this ALL OF US. Lets stop thinking about other countries and people as less than us, fuck this ‘poor African’ rhetoric to make yourself feel better. If that was your brother would you give $3 a month and put his picture on your fridge? Or would you find a way to fucking help him. 

As I've said .... This isn’t a well thought out structured piece as much as it is me venting (thats why I started this shit cut me some slack) I don’t have the answer. But I know that were guilty of complacency, so lets start with that.  

Every time an event like this happens we ask “where is the humanity?” This has come to sound like a cliche, but only because it has been asked so many times and yet nobody has bothered to answer it. My answer is that its there but we resist it..... 

We resist it when we don’t ask someone if they’re okay or if they need some help because “they’re probably on drugs or did this to themselves”. 

We resist it when were rude to hospitality workers because somehow they’re below us? Or when we observe the plight of people at home or abroad, feel bad for a second, have a pompous conversation and then move on with our lives.

We resist it when we buy the exclusive rights to an oppressed people’s flag, profit off their identity, and subsequently attempt to shut down health organizations that exist to keep people alive.   

We resist it when we support the institutionalization of this opposition to humanity by supporting  the likes Trump or Pauline because we are so far removed from our human requirement that is to socialize and communicate in order to find common ground and solutions. 

Because that is what should be most concerning about Sudan. Is that the only reason these people have been faced with the disposition of war and brutality for decades is because the individuals who demonstrate such contempt for humanity through a lust for power and authority have been enabled to do so. 

Were doing the same thing both consciously and subconsciously ....... Unless, we urgently re assess what it means to be human, starting with ourselves. We as a species will continue to decline into a social and psychological illness that is beyond repair. . 

[brycetaylorblog]

The power of individuality

Photo Credit: Will Bruinsma, Palm Street Journal. Courtesy of ‘Take Pride Moment’ 

Just for a moment .... I would like us to think. Let’s just think about where we are right now. Where are we in terms of socio-political discourse? Where are we in terms of the way we think of others, and relate to them? How about ourselves? Who are we and what is our role? 

The reason I ask is because I feel like the answers are absent from the collective psych. As a result, we see a multitude of manageable, perhaps even preventable issues manifesting because we fail to pay them any mind. 

Yet, we pay so much attention to collective tribalism. 

“I’m a man so I need to be this way.” 

“I’m a woman, or a feminist so I need to be this way.”

“I’m a person of colour so I need to be this way.”

“i’m a conservative so I need to be this way” 

“I’m a progressive so I need to be this way”

“I’m a proud, Aussie, American whatever so I need to be this way.”

The question nobody answers amidst this collective tribalism however is 

who are you though? ... 

All of our greatest minds, and all round humans have been people who refuse to confine themselves to a singular idea as to who they should be. The reality is once we decide to be whoever the fuck we want to be. That’s when society will become less anxious and we will coexist maybe even cooperate without animosity, 

I’m going to be very blunt right now and say that every issue facing the world right now stems from this very issue, and it is an issue of mental health. 

Is the Islamic State a faceless entity of arbitrary evil? Or is it a collective of individuals with individual stories who through similar conditions and circumstance have found themselves yielding the weapons of a previously occupying force as a means to retain some type of their identity that has been manipulated by more violent men than them since birth?

What about school shooters? Complex subject, but In short they’re people who are fearful and feel inadequate. Again, their identities subject of scrutiny in a culture that has decided for them what they are and that they have no choice in this matter, in many cases not because they reject society but in actuality its because they have built their entire metric for happiness on what society tells them what they should be. So when they fall short they can’t cope.

Now, It would be easy for me to say ‘killing is wrong’ end of discussion. But that’s lazy and its weak. In my case it would make me a hypocrite. Because how often do we hear people dismissing Indigenous kids this way “don’t do the crime if you can’t do the time” blah blah blah. Simplistic and lazy. We need to cut that shit out.

Particularly when from a community standpoint we have all seen the benefit for our kids when culture and an affirmation of their identity is reinforced.

"you are strong, you are valued, so do what you want and thrive!"

This is why I started my business and why our moniker is “empowering every young person to be the best version of themselves”. 

This is where the world can learn from Australia’s first people. We know what the problems are, we know why they’re there. But most importantly we know how to fix them. Because we have and continue to fix them. The trouble however is that we receive inadequate support. Why? Politics. What is politics? Nothing more than collective tribalism! Notice the pattern?

The recent election is a prime example of that. I wasn’t surprised, nor was I dissapointed that scomo was elected. Why? Because from my standpoint we represent 3% of the population. The basis of a two party democratic system is that the aim is to favor the majority something Indigenous people are no where near and yet we hold our hopes high that these bludgers will represent us? Bullshit.

The sooner we realize this the better. Its on us. Its evident that Indigenous people have overachieved well above their weight in every field we endeavor. So why when it comes to the future of our children would we rely on these white blokes whose idea of the outback is Toowoomba?

The answer is Individuality. 

Have you ever wondered how some of these politicians get to the positions they’re in when they’re so blatantly inept? The answer is once again collective tribalism. ‘Who can tow the party line the best’. 

What this means for all of us. But in particular Indigenous Australia, is that we need to start backing ourselves and each other. David Unaiapon was one of the greatest innovators of the 20th century and are you to tell me that we can’t take control and manage our own programs? Were already doing it!

Let me be clear. The federal and state governments of Australia are nothing but institutions  of colonial power. The same colonial power that put our people in such dispositions. So it is irrational to believe that the oppressor would act as the solution to the very structures and systems that it relies on to survive.

Therefore the message I will leave you with is don’t get caught up in trivial politics. Identify your strengths, build on them, encourage your circle to do the same, and support each other.

 Because that alone is infinitely more powerful than any shithead with a clipboard has to offer. 

We dictate our own futures by dictating our own futures. If they have more important things to worry about, let them worry about them. And together lets pick up the slack they’ve left behind since the referendum. 

[brycetaylorblog]

“You Speak to Me With Respect”

Dissecting privilege, for the sake of productive discourse 

Pictured: Revolutionary of the Black Panthers Movement Stokely Carmichael. 

Background: This post has been inspired by Stokely, and my friend Nadine Silva. Nadine is passionate and works hard in addressing the current position of privilege people unknowingly take when engaging in dialogues with people about their community, and the way certain dynamics effect their community this will be the premise for the analysis that follows. She is a journalist and a model striving to represent her community in a positive light, and serve as a role model for young South Asian girls globally.   

Stokely’s relevance is through his influence. Ironically Stokely’s importance and presence in today’s time is that the most intimidating thing about this man is how well spoken he was and how he articulated the thoughts and feelings of his community. He didn’t gain notoriety through wielding shotguns and AK-47s, whilst tailing police. He gained his notoriety, by making it known that America is on notice and his community refuses to be scared anymore, and will no longer take the back seat. I respect him immensely, and try to emulate the characteristics of him as an individual and as a movement.

“Our grandfathers had to run, run, run. Our generation is out of breath. We aint runnin’ no more.”

- Stokely Carmichael. 

So lets begin .....

First and foremost let it be clear that no race nor creed or colour has the authority to take the moral high ground on any issue that effects everybody. That means no race or people is more or less entitled to control any one narrative that involves all. However, that in itself is indicative of what the issue is I am about to discuss. 

Now I could sit here and explain through several paradigms how privilege operates and has transcended since that first boat left Britain, to the way our politicians engage in dialogue about issues that effect communities that are not their own. Most evidently of late, how majority of our government on both sides of politics have backpedaled in light of the recent atrocity committed in Christchurch. But that would be pointless .... Because the reason as all diverse people are aware, is that privilege and accountability to rhetoric is not about knowledge or discourse. It is about the retention of power, and hegemony. 

What is discussed, and how it is discussed comes second to the position of the conversation. But i’ll stop there......

Rather what i’m going to do, is include in an interaction I had with an individual from the US to exemplify what POC mean when they refer to privilege. Typically I don’t engage with people online who are inclined to be argumentative, but on this occasion I thought I could document this interaction, and turn it into an example of something that can be used for productive purposes.

The interactions and my commentary are as follows:

*The original post was referring to someone I follow regarding how the Christchurch attack is indicative of ‘hate winning’ *

My initial comment was long winded so I’ll keep it punchy to the part that triggered this individual: 

Myself - “They’re resorting to desperate measures, because they’re realizing that just by the virtue of being white doesn’t count for anything anymore.” 

Lets call him Fred, initiated as follows:

Fred: “Virtue of being white? Your jumbled sentence with racist tones seems to have the desired effect of the gunman’s motive.”

| Note how he included the word ‘virtue’ whilst quoting me, but his response neglected the context that word provides? Never mind that a supremacist just murdered 50 innocent people, i’m racist because I addressed White virtue signalling and the unfounded fear that these people frequently share. So therefore i’m part of the problem. Deflection is a tactic that is commonly employed, this is a fine example. | (Lets continue) ....

Me: “This is a fair point (it wasn’t) one I am happy to discuss. As an Indigenous person of Australia in particular one that has spent a large part of my childhood growing up in the same community as the gunmen many people in rural NSW have only typically been there for 3 or 4 generations. They killed a lot of people in that time. Given that it was only someone’s grand father or great grandfather who were doing the killing. It is not unreasonable to claim that someone of today’s generation such as Tarrant grew up with a similar disdain for brown people. Given the contempt these people hold for people who were already here. It is not difficult to comprehend the psychological effect that would have on someone with the disposition that ‘foreign’ people are coming to take what is ‘his’ with the supposed threats of sharia law threatening this mans status as a white man in the West. 

So to answer your comment do I think that by the virtue of being white you are inherently bad? Of course not! But given the very recent history where this man comes from, in context with today political climate it is hardly unreasonable to suggest that perhaps this man was defending his “whiteness” despite none of these people having actually threatened it.” 

Me: And if you won’t accept any of that. You can read it in his manifesto because he has literally admitted to everything I have outlined himself.

Fred: Why would I read the manifesto of a nutter?

| Note the deflection again, no attempt whatsoever to address my response to an unfounded claim that I am a racist. But if you throw around words I will hold you accountable for them. |  

 Me: Well initially your comment stated that what I said had undertones of racist sentiment based on the “virtue of being white”? This tells me you received this as me saying this is generally how how white people think and feel when it was merely a reflection of this particular individual and many like him. So from an objective standpoint despite him being a ‘nutter’ it would give you an insight as to his views, and where my original comment derived from.

Fred: Lot of words finally getting to the point. People focusing on colour do not have the ability to see things clearly. When we stop giving people little ethnic terms people will actually co-exist. You’re definitely overthinking my comment with all that unneeded info.

| Quick summary: I wouldn’t need to write a paragraph breaking it down for Fred if he took the initiative to understand what the single word ‘virtue’ meant but that is how privilege works. “I’m right I don’t need to consider anything.” 

Secondly, for anyone reading this for good intentions. This is a prime example of trying to control narratives. Because never mind hundred of years of colonial destruction and minimization. Fred has all the answers ... All we have to do is stop seeing colour! THEN the world will finally coexist. Fred knows this! Fred knows everything. Thanks Fred. | 

Me: Is it unneeded because its irrelevant? Or because you personally don’t care? I feel as though you’re trying to oversimplify a complex conversation to give yourself the higher moral ground. Which ironically plays into the whole “virtue of being white” thing that you initially disputed. I didn’t originally place you in that category, but am now starting to see why my original comment may have caused a reaction from you. 

These “little ethnic terms” you down play is quite condescending. Because to many ethnic people they represent a great deal of importance. So for you to suggest that i’m ‘overthinking it’ when 40 (now 50) people have been murdered. That is pretty arrogant of you. “A lot of words finally getting to the point” that’s condescending and exactly the type of attitude i’m talking about. You can disagree with me, but you will speak to me with respect! 

| Note* I demanded respect in this manner for two reasons. Number one is that I deserve it. Number 2 is that for the purpose of this experiment I know that when you address people of privilege accustomed to dominating discourse the fight or flight response is triggered. Typically they will either get quite defensive and resort to aggression, or they will flee. The response that comes next is telling. | 

Fred: You’re clearly disgruntled, i’ll just let you hit your keyboard. 

|Note: For someone who initiated this interaction he was pretty quick to want out as soon as he realized that though emotionally driven, I am not emotionally operating. I am more than willing to hold him accountable for not only his comments but his motives, through reasonable dialogue. He is not.

Some will say he’s just a troll others may believe he holds white supremacist views himself. Perhaps a combination of both. The lesson for us no matter who we are though is that we maintain composure and refrain from giving these people the reaction they want. But also ensure that we hold them to account for their views. Whether it be an internet troll or a politician. 

As a side note, whats also very indicative of privilege in this interaction. Is how quickly he removed himself from the conversation as it suited. People of colour don’t get to do this. Muslim women have their clothing debated in public domains, Aboriginal people have their blood percentage and pigment debated in public domains, African people have the morals of their children and their parenting debated in public domains. If you reserve the right to opt out of a conversation, my suggestion would be don’t enter one. Unless you’re willing to learn. Because sometimes, only sometimes, certain conversations aren’t about you. Unless you feel like the shoe fits. | 

My final response: I’m definitely disgruntled 40 (50) innocent people were just murdered.....

[brycetaylorblog]

Disregard & Diminish

Artwork by Charlotte Allingham @coffinbirth

This blog is titled ‘reflections’ meaning, there is no agenda, though always a purpose. Stemming from pure emotion and honest thoughts...

 As of right now, I feel drained.

 Drained from stupidity, drained from hate, drained from sheer incompetence.

 Any Indigenous person who has been online or present for any discussion baring any relevance to Indigenous Australia whether the context is negative or positive understands this feeling. It's insidious, and it makes you ask yourself what is the point?

More so for any Indigenous person who has made significant strides to be proactive and break down systems so that they can then be rebuilt into something of benefit to our kids, rather than systemically diminishing their worth as it has over generations, and across the world for many marginalised people.

We all deal with these feelings differently, me?

I try to take negative energy and channel it into something positive by way of learning. Thinking about what I know, what I've experienced and how I can turn ideas into a practical strategy, that when applied can really contribute toward solving problems that affect our people.

Generally, I like to learn from people who have been around longer than me and have tried and tested methods. So I turn to a Ted talk, I want to try and see who's doing what and how I can apply that to what I'm doing. I stumble across this woman.

 Dr Monique W. Morris | Award-winning author | Social Justice Scholar | Deadly Woman.

 Her, talk: “Why black girls are targeted for punishment - and how to change that”.

 This is something important to me as I am trying to gradually introduce education for students around respect and relationships. Given that I am not a girl nor woman, I feel it is a necessity to first, understand these perspectives when developing programs. Second, that I can find the right women to support the needs of our girls where it is not appropriate for me.

I need to listen and learn from people like Dr Morris, and every female if I am to be serious about the outcomes I aim to achieve.

She goes on to eloquently contrast the positive outcomes for her personally as a result of a school system that knew how to adequately respond to her needs. By contrast, many girls of colour, unfortunately, experience the opposite. (This can be exemplified to a shameful extent in Australia, hence the work that needs to be done.)

She speaks to the structural inequities and the individual misconceptions that make up many educational institutions. The result is that schools are generally not a pleasant place for many girls of colour. However, as a point of difference, Dr Morris goes on to highlight strategies and foundation points that can make an attempt towards valued change. I'm not going to be a spoiler. But as an educator my key take away from her presentation was this:

“It might seem like a tall order in a world so deeply entrenched by the politics of fear to radicalize schools as places where girls can heal and thrive, but we have to be bold enough to set this as our intention.”

-          Dr Monique W.Morris

 I felt that there was a lot to take away from conversations like this, both thought-provoking and thoughtful at the same time. Identifying issues, followed by strategy.

Unfortunately for naïve Bryce, I made the mistake of thinking that an internet comments section in 2019 might have more thoughtful, productive input (its YouTube bra pull ya head in.)

In short. I was wrong. The comments ranged from “the divisiveness of identity politics” to comments questioning the girls in question’s actions rather than paying attention to the cause for the frustration a point I try to highlight as frequently as possible.

But that’s just the real world, and everyone is entitled to their opinion, right? Yep, they are. But opinions are like movies, some are a lot better than others and actually follow a coherent plot.

It is this, that is the main issue with the way society treats women today, and especially women of colour.

Because in this instance we can all observe an accomplished doctor, years’ worth of achievement in a specified discipline, speaking of her experiences as a black woman, presenting her findings as an academic, and elaborating on her outcomes as an active participant of social justice.

From A to Z she has covered every conceivable standpoint to be considered somebody who knows what she’s talking about….. I mean to me? A black woman talking about being a black woman seems like a valid qualification on its own without mentioning years of study and research to go with it….. But this wasn’t enough, hence the problem.

When boys and men of all backgrounds, all ages and all walks of life feel entitled to question an accomplished doctor speaking about her own self, her own experience, and her own professional field, what is it exactly that would legitimize anything that she has to say?

Disregard and diminish.

Any time a woman speaks about being a woman.

disregard and diminish.

Any time a woman of colour speaks about being a woman of colour

disregard and diminish.

When Tupac said:

“Might even know hard it is being a woman, and a black woman at that (shit) in this white man’s world”

Objectively, speaking that is all a man should say when a woman of colour speaks of her experience… “Shit”.

Because as men of any background none of us know what that’s like, but when you listen to the experiences and thoughts shared, they are all consistent. African girls, Indian girls, Asian girls, Middle Eastern girls, Island girls and of course my beloved Indigenous sisters.

We don’t know. We don’t know what its like to have your aptitude weighed against your physical aesthetic, what its like to make a valued point in a work, office or educational setting and have it almost instantaneously undermined because it challenges the safety of righteousness that many of us as men confide in. “I'm a good guy I'm not a misogynist I should be held to high regard.” - No, the reality is that you are purely a functioning member of society and that standing idly while vulnerable girls and women are undermined makes you complicit, and ultimately accepted as a standard.    

Women don’t expect us to agree with them, they don’t expect us to put them on a pedestal. They want one thing, Respect. That’s the bare minimum, yet most crucial thing we can offer. I’ve taught grade 6s and grade 7s who understand that.

We know the consequences … Of what happens … When we neglect girls and boys who are vulnerable. Yet, by contrast very few are willing to change the systems that allow this to happen. But this is perhaps the most important point I can make. Social systems are not automated robots, they are made up of individuals. This means that the more individual people who object to the comfortabilities of ‘business as usual,’ and apply their independent values of equity and respect to all aspects of life from personal to professional, then real change will push through the cracks.

“There has been a revolution, the pavement has been cracked…. Now is an evolution, our job is to push roses through those cracks so that only beauty can flourish.”

[brycetaylorblog]

Lessons from Brooke.

Remember who you are.

Picture: Musgrave Park, Naidoc 2017.

"What are you?" "But you're not like a real Aboriginal are you?" "How much do you have in you?"

If you're Aboriginal in this country, then you have heard this before, and in many cases even people who are clearly black get these questions not just fair skinned ones like me.

This confusion, denial and sometimes even irritability that this white person in their eyes has the audacity to identify himself as an... "Aboriginie"... " a black"... Sometimes even "coon".

I haven't selectively chosen this language to be provocative, these are examples of the literal language directed at me as a result of honestly answering questions surrounding my identity. On one occasion I was actually enjoying myself at a pub, that was until I was asked: "you're not a coon are ya?"...

If this is an example of what someone who looks like me deals with simply for identifying as Aboriginal, that says something about how this country perceives Indigenous people.

But am I a victim of it? Of course not... Because as you're about to read, I refuse to let this post be an affirmation of colonial mentality controlling us, in fact, it's the opposite. Here's why...

Recently I've observed the backlash Brooke Boney has faced as a result of her statements on January 26th.

"She's so oppressed with all her university education paid for by tax payers" commented one patriot amidst a sea of confused, angry and incoherent comments.

"If it wasnt for white people she wouldn't have anything."

God forbid an Aboriginal woman be intelligent enough to achieve success through hard work.

This ties in with my experience earlier, that our identity is something to be scrutinized, assessed and deliberated on, so too is the validity of our success.

Because we're all alcoholic, child abusing degenerates until someone like Brooke achieves what she has. Then its because we get an 'advantage' as if the same person hadn't previously looked down on Aboriginal people for being born into poverty. A constant back and forth between us either taking responsibility for inherent poverty or being thankful for success as if it was gifted by them personally... Or to even to go one step further and claim that "you're white anyway" as if to suggest that is where the success comes from.

That is why Brooke is my new hero the way she's carried herself through this whole thing with conviction and grace. Is not only inspiring, but she lives as a fix of reality for every misogynist and racist who is yet to fathom which direction the world is headed. She doesn't need to argue with them, she's already exceeded all perceptions of what a misogynistic racist can muster as to what an Aboriginal woman can achieve on her own.

She's demonstrated to us all how we can deal with this beast. Because the reality is they aren't angry because were below them, they're angry because we have a collective voice with the credentials to match now.

At 3% of the population we're lawyers, were doctors, speakers, writers, and leaders.

So as frustrating as this time of year can be for our people understand that each and every single one of you is powerful. Think of Brooke, rise above it, back yourself and go after whatever future you envision for yourself, and if you need support? Reach out because if no one else is, I'll be here... I'll be your number one fan!

"Keep ya head up stick ya chest out and handle it."

- Tupac Shakur

[brycetaylorblog]

Reconciliation, Why?

How an observed double-standard lead me to question what reconciliation actually means in 2018/19

Picture: Byron Bay 2018. 

Last year, I stopped off on my way home from Grafton and noticed European tourists/backpackers blacked out drunk in the park while I went to enjoy and take some photos of our mob’s paintings. 

This was an interesting moment. Because When I look at our people’s artwork I become overwhelmed with emotion. I see a visual record that exemplifies generations of stories, resilience ... Pride.

But I can’t deny the uneasy reality that our culture has become intertwined with the inescapable connotations of dispossession and trauma. 

In a perfect world? 

I’d be able to enjoy these pieces...  Look at those hung over and laugh, then move on.

But unfortunately, I can’t do that. Why? Because while they doze off in their intoxicated slumber, the works of our people serve as a stark backdrop that depicts the raw contrast ..... That our people? The same people who these people come from overseas or interstate to be entertained by... 

Are persecuted ... Violated ...... Left to die. 

For the same actions... They blissfully enjoy.

This year’s NAIDOC theme is ‘voice, treaty, truth.’ 

I want right now to use my voice (through my keyboard) to tell the truth. This post is not to be divisive, but rather to reflect on a few realities some people may not necessarily want to hear. 

That is the primary narrative surrounding reconciliation that suggests two sides coming together. 

“We want to reach out” “we want to learn more” “reconciliation!”

That’s cool, I appreciate that. 

But I’m not every Aboriginal person in this country. I’ve been lucky. Whereas other people in this country have had the police at their doorstep from childhood to parenthood over neighbourhood complaints, security following them around stores, condescending/dismissive phone calls and interviews from schools. 

Bearing in mind that what I just outlined is only external societal stigma faced by Aboriginal people. That’s without even addressing the internal social issues our communities and families face every day.  

Every waking day ..... For what? To come together? 

Think about that. Why should Aboriginal people be made to come to the table to break bread? After centuries of not being allowed in the room? 

Personally? I believe we can move forward.

But I believe in truth first. The truth is we need honest with ourselves about how we respect one and other. Because until that happens there is no reconciliation, unity, progressing whatever you wanna call it.  

We can paint with ochre, we can learn language and local clan groups. But until we address the external stigmas, followed by the internal issues we will struggle to function as a society let alone have “reconciliation”.   

[brycetaylorblog]

Rainbows of Red, Black & Yellow.

Prioritizing our at-risk community members.

For my followers on Instagram, you may have noticed that recently I made a post regarding our accountability to support those who may be affected by mental health issues. The nature of this post was in reference to those who may be visibly affected by a clinical condition, or a negative response to drugs or alcohol. 

The purpose of this post was to highlight how those at their most vulnerable are for the most part overlooked. This is something I don’t think Australia as a society can continue to not address.

In saying that, however. There is another group of people within our own communities, who are again, for the most part, overlooked.

Last week I met Taz Clay, a proud Kalkadoon brother boy and staunch member and advocate of our LGBTI community. I've been in Taz’s presence a few times, but recently had the pleasure of meeting officially, working together and then talking more in-depth about the current systems that are, or are not supporting our people.

With a unique pairing of academic basis that naturally intertwines with a unique brand charismatic passion that our people are renowned for I was really in awe. The way in which Taz sheds light on the issues that specifically affect our LGBTI community was not so much a shock to me, as it was a prompt that we all need to put in a lot more effort into thinking about these issues, as simple as ensuring that they always have a seat at the table, with the opportunity of making a valued contribution is nothing short of a necessity. 

Why this is of such particular importance from my perspective is simple. Our LGBTI community is not as it is portrayed by the Australian media as another faction of the ‘leftist’ agenda. No, these are our brothers and sisters, our cousins, nieces nephews, uncles and aunties. And what’s more? They’re hurting. And we need to be responsible to support them as equals in our everyday individual lives rather than treating them a separate issue for someone else. It's a shit attitude. 

When I woke up last week and boarded a flight. At no point did I think:

“I’m going to write another blog post today.”

It was more the thoughts that Taz prompted through our discussion that made me think what we need to consider, in particular, those with skin in the game in terms of mental health, suicide prevention or hold any type of influence over community action.

Is this... 

“For every statistic that validates how marginalised Aboriginal people are in this country. Suicide, incarceration, isolation/displacement, overall health and wellbeing. What does this look like with specific respects to our LGBTI community?”

There’s barely any stats available in a specified sense, but common sense dictates that if you’re an Indigenous person marginalised by this society, think about to what extent our LGBTI brothers, Sisters and non-Binary mob must experience? Going right back to my point that our most vulnerable must be prioritized. This comes right back to something that incidentally I outlined in my previous post, and the same words came from Taz recently which were. 

“When we prioritize those most at risk, we build communities from the ground up.” 

Rather than as a mob getting caught up in the trivialities of bureaucratic politics, we need to have a very raw honest look at who in our communities are hurting most, and then ask ourselves “well what are we going to do about it?”   

[brycetaylorblog]

Connected Through Power

Taking control - The why and how?

Why a Blog? Before I answer this question. I’d like to introduce you to Levi.

Levi, a Worimi brother like me who I initially met in Sydney last year. Levi Having grown up in Sydney, myself in Qld. Offered on the first day we met to take me to Redfern to connect. Since then that connection has grown into staying at his home in Melbourne talking in depth about the things that mean most to us: Aboriginal health, civil rights and empowering our people as individuals to be the best versions of themselves.  

See, Levi is my brother. Not in the way all blackfellas are brothers, but quite literally like an older brother. We may not speak for months but he is always there to care, tell me to pull my head in and offer advice and open my mind to things I wouldn’t on my own (hard headed you see).

Now, if anyone else earlier this year would have told me that I need to go back to university I would have quite literally told them to fxk themselves (sorry). But in the midst of a 3.00am rant about my disenfranchisement with the current system responsible for our people’s wellbeing on a cold Melbourne morning Levi opened my eyes to something very important. 

That is the tools at the disposal of our people which we have never had before. Tools we must not take for granted. Think of it like this, it wasn't until Whitlam that people from low socioeconomic backgrounds could even go to university. Your parents had to be rich. Now, in 2018 going on 2019 there are so many opportunities for our people to not only be included in conversations but dominate them.

It was that conversation where I made the decision to stop being a mediocre person and start making a decision. Not asking, hoping, waiting for some opportunities to come to our people. It was time to take them. I’ve since backed my mouth up on that one. I’ve walked away from money because I didn’t trust where it came from, I am in my first year of studying psychology and most importantly I've sat and spoken with the most important people. The members of different communities who these issues touch the most. Its time we take control back of our communities from the ground up, rather than the top down! 

Now, a way in which our people have been doing this is through social media. Levi and I have been talking in depth about this over the past couple weeks about how were late to the party, and its true! Just like education offers our people a voice social media is a platform which for the first time since colonisation gives our people a collective uncensored voice on matters that affect us. 

Many are already doing it, its time the rest of us start creating content regardless of your followers, regardless of your ‘marketablity’, we have the opportunity to create a very strong community effectively by reaching only one like-minded person, the potential to establish a solidified community on platforms such as Twitter, Instagram and Facebook is unprecedented. 

I know this isn't exactly news to anybody... But my message here isn’t to anyone with an online account. It’s to those with something to say but may be apprehensive. Write a blog, start a podcast, be a youtuber all you deadly people with something to say. In the words of the famous Condom man don’t be shame be game!

As mentioned a lot of inspiration for this platform has come from Levi. This bloke is phenomenal, he’s a young software engineer, but most importantly a profound young Aboriginal thinker who I have no doubt will be well known in years to come.   

Levi's Blog: https://levimckenziek.com/

Youtube video on why social media is an important tool for our people: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WYeB0fw0jBI