Thread by @IndigenousX

‘Not all Indigenous people agree on thing’ is still a legitimate angle for a news story in Australia even though all white people have never agreed on anything.

We aren’t homogenous. We aren’t two dimensional. We don’t share a hive mind.

https://twitter.com/scotttrindall/status/1345213589955645442

‘Indigenous leader’ is still an acceptable phrase in media too, even though it’s problematic af for perpetuating a homogeneous view of Indigenous peoples, and because it’s usually white editors who get to decide who is an Indigenous leader and who is an Indigenous activist.

I tried to point this out a couple of years ago when I did a parody article in response to an australian article titled ‘Indigenous leaders back Kerri-Anne Kennerley in racism row’ (The ‘Indigenous leaders’ in question were all Liberal party members’)

I called my article ‘white leaders condemn Kerri-Anne Kennerley over racism row’ and I elected @jrhennessy @firstdogonmoon & @svfitzpatrick to be my white leaders and it was one of the most fun things I’ve ever written. indigenousx.com.au/white-leaders-…

The white leaders were all so gracious working with me to come up with their quotes... my fave was from @svfitzpatrick when he says “You’re not actually going to call me a ‘white expert on Indigenous people’ though, are you? Please don’t do that.” because he actually said that 🤣

He agreed to it in the end tho - I wouldn’t have done it without permission!

Had so much fun writing that article tho...

Also, huge kudos to @jrhennessy who was the only one of the three I’d never spoken to before... I contacted him out of the blue, explained the pitch to him, and he was straight on board.

Soon after, I also wrote a proper article explaining why 'Indigenous leader' is super problematic and only serves editorial convenience while damaging Indigenous representation, but you'll note that it hasn't stopped many white ppl from using it. indigenousx.com.au/debunking-indi…