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A review by pran
Truth-Telling: History, sovereignty and the Uluru Statement by Henry Reynolds
challenging
dark
informative
medium-paced
5.0
This book basically challenges the idea that the British annexation of the antipodes was 'normal for the time' or 'to be expected'.
It is densely packed with evidence that even at the time, in the 18th and 19th centuries, the colonial settlement of the British in Australia was unlawful and did not go along with international law. Reynolds draws parallels between Australia and other countries where similar such settlements occurred, such as the Canada, where there was significantly less loss of Indigenous lives. There was an almost total lack of humanity shown to the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities; Reynolds focusses specifically on the colonist assertion that they did not own the land because they were nomadic and they would not have had the means to understand agreements and treaties because they were 'savage' and 'backward'.
It is very accessible and quite short, making it a relatively easy way to learn more about Australian history. I found myself learning something new on almost every page (although my knowledge of white Australia's beginnings were limited). I am not Australian myself, but I am British, and I feel this part of history is very much neglected in schools. I believe it should be taught so children are aware that parts of British history aren't all sunshine and building railways.
Although the book is short, I can't imagine it would be an easy read for anyone- I found lots of it upsetting. Australia is a beautiful country but the more I learn about its history the more the shameful nature of its founding is exposed. And the thought that this is celebrated every year on Australia day is deeply concerning to me. It is certainly something I noticed when I visited Australia that there are so many monuments and memorials dedicated to the soldiers lost in the World Wars, I saw none for the lost First Nations people.
Would highly recommend.
It is densely packed with evidence that even at the time, in the 18th and 19th centuries, the colonial settlement of the British in Australia was unlawful and did not go along with international law. Reynolds draws parallels between Australia and other countries where similar such settlements occurred, such as the Canada, where there was significantly less loss of Indigenous lives. There was an almost total lack of humanity shown to the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities; Reynolds focusses specifically on the colonist assertion that they did not own the land because they were nomadic and they would not have had the means to understand agreements and treaties because they were 'savage' and 'backward'.
It is very accessible and quite short, making it a relatively easy way to learn more about Australian history. I found myself learning something new on almost every page (although my knowledge of white Australia's beginnings were limited). I am not Australian myself, but I am British, and I feel this part of history is very much neglected in schools. I believe it should be taught so children are aware that parts of British history aren't all sunshine and building railways.
Although the book is short, I can't imagine it would be an easy read for anyone- I found lots of it upsetting. Australia is a beautiful country but the more I learn about its history the more the shameful nature of its founding is exposed. And the thought that this is celebrated every year on Australia day is deeply concerning to me. It is certainly something I noticed when I visited Australia that there are so many monuments and memorials dedicated to the soldiers lost in the World Wars, I saw none for the lost First Nations people.
Would highly recommend.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Genocide and Racism
Minor: Racial slurs and Rape
It's also worth mentioning that this book should have a trigger warning as it discusses violence against Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.