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The Language of the Unheard
New passions are coming to the surface in societies around the globe. Popular uprisings and social critiques are emerging in response to disempowerment, exclusion and the dismantling of public services and disinvestment in public goods. Martin Luther King once observed that: "a riot is, at bottom, the language of the unheard"; a cold shoulder comes at a price...
This book explores some of stories that lie at the heart of the current upheavals, from the perspective of a country that is still yet to resolve its fundamental contradiction of invasion and colonisation, opting instead for a paternalistic and punitive programme of control over its First Peoples.
Change does not come from above. The history of social justice and change has been written by social movements. However, first, we must all acknowledge these problems as our problems and not someone else's.
Dr John Falzon is an advocate for a more equitable society. He trained in sociology and poetics. Falzon has worked in academia, research and advocacy in civil society organisations and community development. He has been the Chief Executive of the St Vincent de Paul Society in Australia since 2006. He has been a poet since 1973.
This book explores some of stories that lie at the heart of the current upheavals, from the perspective of a country that is still yet to resolve its fundamental contradiction of invasion and colonisation, opting instead for a paternalistic and punitive programme of control over its First Peoples.
Change does not come from above. The history of social justice and change has been written by social movements. However, first, we must all acknowledge these problems as our problems and not someone else's.
Dr John Falzon is an advocate for a more equitable society. He trained in sociology and poetics. Falzon has worked in academia, research and advocacy in civil society organisations and community development. He has been the Chief Executive of the St Vincent de Paul Society in Australia since 2006. He has been a poet since 1973.
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First published November 1, 2012
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October 21, 2017
Passionate, heart-tugging. Stirring stories of broken people, silenced by circumstance and the privilege of others, yet persevering in hope despite the evidence around them that all is hopeless. There are remarkable pages (p 36ff) that speak of the wound of colonisation deepened by the policies of interventionist governments. This is no dry academic report but a cry for mute voices to be given a hearing.
Falzon's poetics emerge constantly in his own language and choice of quotes:
'A cause isn't hopeless just because its objectives aren't reached in one's lifetime.' Gioconda Belli
'If you follow your star, you cannot fail to reach a glorious port.' Dante Alighieri
'We cannot afford the luxury of defeatism. We are the ones we have been waiting for.' Hopi saying (p 76)
'For Aboriginal Australians there's no such thing as justice, there's just us.' Aunty Janet Phillips (p96)
Falzon's poetics emerge constantly in his own language and choice of quotes:
'A cause isn't hopeless just because its objectives aren't reached in one's lifetime.' Gioconda Belli
'If you follow your star, you cannot fail to reach a glorious port.' Dante Alighieri
'We cannot afford the luxury of defeatism. We are the ones we have been waiting for.' Hopi saying (p 76)
'For Aboriginal Australians there's no such thing as justice, there's just us.' Aunty Janet Phillips (p96)
Displaying 1 of 1 review