Senator Lidia Thorpe made headlines during King Charles III’s visit to Australia. Her protest raised some important questions about colonialism and Indigenous rights, and it’s crucial for us to understand the full context of what happened. Let’s dive in!
What Did Senator Lidia Thorpe do when King Charles Visits Parliament?
Rather than recounting what happened, let me show you in this video clip from The Guardian. Many other News Media do not show the full clip. Please note that extraction of some of the event while sharing other parts can be the expression of bias and presentation of a calculated narrative by those news media companies. So as a good rule of thumb is to find footage of the whole event rather than consuming snippets of it. This’ll enable you to get a good grasp on what occurred and protect you from being manipulated to believe a particular narrative.
What Did Senator Lidia Thorpe Say? The full quote
When King Charles addressed Parliament, Lidia Thorpe—a Gunnai, Gunditimara and Djab Wurrung Aboriginal woman —protested with a powerful message. If you missed it (or didn’t watch the video) Senator Thorpe said:
“You are not our king!
You are not sovereign!
You committed genocide against our people!
Give us our land back!
Give us what you stole from us… Our bones, our skulls, our babies, our people!
You destroyed our land!
Give us a treaty!
We want a treaty in this country!
You are genocidalist!
This is not your land!
It’s not your land!
You are not my king!
You are not our king!
Fuck the colony!
Fuck the colony!
Fuck the colony!”
- -Senator Lidia Thorpe
Lidia’s message was clear:
1- she rejects colonial rule and is calling for Indigenous sovereignty recognition by means of a treaty.
2- Senator Thorpe was also calling for the return of bones, babies, and other Aboriginal people. And
This protest isn’t just a moment; it’s part of a larger struggle against the ongoing impacts of colonisation on the Aboriginal community and the land, some of which Senator Thorpe referred to in the above quote.
The Media Bias
I’ve already mentioned the importance of sourcing full length videos rather than clipped pieces. Now, let’s talk about how this is being covered. A lot of the focus was on Thorpe’s tone or choice of expression rather than the substance of her message. This is a classic example of tone policing, where the delivery overshadows the content. By emphasising her emotional response, the media can create a narrative that portrays her as confrontational, rather than highlighting the valid grievances she represents.
Moreover, the be mindful of the coverage that includes Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal voices that criticised her actions without balancing it with the voices that support Thorpe. This selective focus can lead to a distorted understanding of the protest, it’s validity, or the issues at hand.
Why This Matters
When we allow media narratives to dominate our understanding, we risk reinforcing harmful stereotypes about Aboriginal people. If you want to know what the Aboriginal community really think about the issues that Senator Thorpe is raising, then listen to many Aboriginal people – and not just a few hand picked ones.
News media do not speak for or report the voices of Aboriginal people adequately, they never have. They usually cherry pick the voices of the people who are saying the things that align with their narrative (FYI this is called confirmation bias).
This not only distracts from the real issues of colonisation and sovereignty that were raised but can also lead to an “us vs. them” mentality among the Australian community at large.
We need to recognise these biases and their potential to silence crucial conversations about justice and equity here in Australia.
How to Be a Better Ally in Light of the “You’re Not Our King” protest.
So, what can you do as an ally of Aboriginal people? Here are some actionable steps to guide you:
- Listen to the Message: Focus on what Senator Lidia Thorpe is saying, not just how she’s saying it. Her anger stems from a history of oppression, and it’s vital to understand that context.
- Challenge Your Own Biases: Reflect on the thoughts and feelings you had while consuming content about this protest. Critically examine them as a human being, rather than through the filter of personal identifiers or societal norms.
- Challenge Media Bias: Be aware of how stories are framed. Ask yourself why certain voices are highlighted over others and seek out diverse perspectives to get a fuller picture.
- Amplify Indigenous Voices: Follow Aboriginal activists and leaders on social media, share their insights, and support their initiatives. Use your platform to uplift their voices.
- Educate Yourself: Learn about the history of colonisation in Australia and its ongoing impacts. Understanding these issues deeply will enhance your allyship.
- Show Up Consistently: Support Indigenous rights not just when it’s in the news but as an ongoing commitment. Participate in rallies, volunteer with Indigenous organisations, and advocate for policies that support Indigenous sovereignty.
- Take action: Identify ways to actively support Aboriginal rights in your own life or business. Whether it’s through personal choices, public advocacy, or business practices, take steps that make a difference.
A path to recognising social justice
Senator Lidia Thorpe’s protest is a rallying cry for justice and recognition of Indigenous rights in Australia. As allies, it’s your responsibility to engage with the issues, challenge biases, listen actively to the voices of Aboriginal people, and take allied action to support the progression of rights.
Let’s move beyond the sensationalism and focus on the real struggles the Aboriginal community face. Together, we can stand in solidarity and contribute to meaningful social change and justice.
Closing Note
If you found this blog insightful, I encourage you to share it with anyone who might benefit from reading it. As an Aboriginal woman and an inclusion and diversity coach, I know firsthand the ongoing impacts of colonisation. If you’re looking for support with identifying and unpacking your biases, or you need help creating inclusive content or taking actionable steps as an ally, feel free to reach out to me on Facebook or Instagram. Let’s work together to create meaningful change.
Until next time, together we stand in the pursuit of justice. Xx
