Human?: A lie that has been killing us since 1788

by Ziggy Ramo

So-called Australia is built upon a that 97% of the population are human, and the others simply 'Indigenous', devoid of the same basic rights.

Human? is the story of acclaimed Wik artist Ziggy Ramo's experience growing up under the weight of this lie. We've had 236 years of continued destruction in the name of 'civilised progress', under an oppressive colonial system that punches down on almost everyone. We all deserve more. But to move forward we have to be honest about the past.

Written on the precipice of becoming a parent, this is Ziggy's offering for the future – an attempt to bridge a nation-wide knowledge gap, and start a new conversation. Prerequisite reading for anyone searching for a way forward, together.

Human? is a book, an album and an exhibition by one of the most exciting voices of this generation. With his powerful debut, Ziggy Would you still fight for human rights if it meant giving up your privilege?

A groundbreaking, provocative call-to-arms.

Genres: Nonfiction, History

287 pages, Kindle Edition

Published April 30, 2024

Reviews

[Callum's Column · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ziggy Ramo is one of about a million Original People of "so-called Australia". Most Original Peoples' voices are suppressed or ignored in this nation. Ramo refuses to accept this status quo. "Human?" is Ramo's deeply personal journey navigating and calling out Australia's racist past and present. It is part memoir; part history; and part political analysis. In sum, it is a piece of art. Powerful institutions have attempted to silence him. He even considered silencing himself, having been hospitalised for suicide ideation underpinned by intergenerational trauma. Fortunately, Ramo survived, and Australia can not afford to ignore his voice.

Ramo is a gifted writer. Each chapter corresponds with an eponymous song of his. An already great book became a masterpiece with its incorporation of QR Codes to listen to these songs and view artwork by his sister--Brydi Fatnowna--at the end of each chapter. However, there is one slight historical inaccuracy. Ramo mentions that Australia fought to stop genocide in WWII. The holocaust began in the early 1940s, and its true extent was not discovered until the latter stages of the war. Moreover, as Germany invaded Poland in 1939, Prime Minister Menzies stated: "Great Britain has declared war upon [Germany], and that, as a result, Australia is also at war."

Australia went to war to defend the British Empire, not to stop genocide. This is the same empire that committed genocide against Original Peoples throughout the world. Moreover, it is perhaps unsurprising that it was a Yorta Yorta man named William Cooper who led a protest against the German consulate in Melbourne following "Kristallnacht"--a paroxysm of violence against German Jews in 1938. In contrast, Australia refused to increase Jewish migration pre-WWII. Ramo's minor historical imprecision nonetheless proves in a roundabout way his point--"so-called Australia" is generally apathetic to genocide, and always has been.

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[Peta · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have so many thoughts about this amazing book! It’s a well researched book about invasion of so called Australia as well as more recent disgraceful acts such as the NT intervention.
Ziggy also provides his perspective on mental illness, family, racism, and his journey into fatherhood whilst being a part of the show ‘Black Snow’ that describes black birding and the South Sea Islander culture and the importance of these people to the sugar cane industry.
I cannot recommend this book enough!
My final thoughts are that this is not just a book but music and artwork from himself and his sister!!!!

[Timothy Price · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brilliant read for all to recognise the injustice in the system we are all apart of. Ziggy’s story is inspiring & makes you think about your core motivators & the type of person you want to be

[Vincent · Rating 2 out of 5]

Well intentioned, but flawed, amateurish and very self-absorbed.

[Courtney · Rating 5 out of 5]

I struggled with this.

And in turn I struggle with how to rate it.

In one way I don't want to rate it at all. It's one of those books that defies a rating system. That to select a number of stars, diminishes its content. Human? Is part memoir, part manifesto, part art project, its a number of things that defy the simplistic nature of rating. Ziggy Ramo writes with a raw passion that is deeply affecting. There was occasions I could only manage a chapter before I had to put it down for awhile (and, in fact, I ended up reading a book in-between which is something I don't normally do, just because I needed a break). In fact, it's slightly uncomfortable to write a review because who am I, to judge this? However I do think that this is an important read.

Ramo details how his music and lyrics are inspired by his life and experiences as an Original Person (this is the description Ramo himself uses within the text) as well as the expectations and trauma that entails. It's a difficult read because Ramo has no problems shining a mirror on hypocrisy but also doesn't shy away from how that hypocrisy and denial has manifested in years of trauma and how that has affected his mental health. There are trigger warnings at the beginning of some chapters as what Ramo delves into is quite heavy, I ended up skim reading the chapter titled Hopeless as it's content was very hard for me to read but I felt compelling to at least parse the narrative.

This is an important text.

[Jane · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ziggy Ramo lifts the lid on exactly why the original inhabitants of this country and countries around the world were, and still are, treated so inhumanly - and it all boils down to the rise of Christianity in the western world and a certain papal of bull of 1493 (the Doctrine of Discovery) that stated in essence: if you ain’t a Christian then you ain’t human and all your thousands of years caring for country and living in a sustainable way with codes and beliefs that govern your way of life don’t count at all and because we’re Christian we can rape, pillage and plunder because we’ve got God on our side. That and the love of money which goes hand in hand with Christianity and which we all know is the root of all evil.

A really good book, well written and researched that needs to be read and understood and acted upon so we don’t keep on with all this hate and hypocrisy and start seeing the love and humanness in everyone alike.

[Eden Shoo · Rating 5 out of 5]

Without a doubt, one of the most important books I have ever read.
I can’t emphasise the depth of honesty and rawness Ziggy shares. His work has changed me and I want to buy a copy of this for everyone I know.

[Jas · Rating 5 out of 5]

A personal account of the history and ongoing genocide in 'so called Australia'. A gentle invitation to non Original people in Aus to change their thinking. Highly recommend. Love the ending of each chapters with powerful songs from Ziggy and visual artwork by Brydi.

[Caitlin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic blend of memoir and history along with the songs and artwork, this concept book is a must read for every so called Australian

[lookga · Rating 5 out of 5]

Every person should read this especially if you are living in Australia, come from this land (invaded it)

[Malakai · Rating 4 out of 5]

There are a couple of books a year that move me to tears. This is one of them. I'd love to come back to this in a years time and see if I've changed, grown or stagnated. And in what way. Although I miss my lil family, Western Australia is such a beautiful place with great people. 🇦🇺

[Felix · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing. So emotive and sparks so much introspection. Amazing book, amazing album, and amazing art.