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Natalie Cromb

1 Apr, 13 tweets, 5 min read

@amymcquire

On the issue of Black media - I remember @amymcquire saying years ago (I am paraphrasing) that Black journos and media are not impartial bystanders, there is experiential contribution, advocacy and accountability in all that Black journos and media do.

She is right - that is why I seek out Black media when I see something making headlines concerning us in the MSM. Black media can be trusted to be the source of truth because it is accountable to community and doesn’t report/publish in an exploitative and damaging way.

@amymcquire

Too often we see the language used in MSM that is racially charged and part of the systemic practice of undermining our people & community. This is why the work of Black journos & media is critical.
@amymcquire wrote this for @IndigenousXLtd

indigenousx.com.au/we-must-build-…

@koorimailnews

Another element that is so important with Black media is the connective capacity and for this - I cannot go past @koorimailnews
While dealing with the heavy hitting news, it also is so about community. I love picking up my copy and looking for mob in the pages.

So much has been taken from our people but Black media makes us feel like something is ours. Makes us feel our voices being heard and it tells our stories with respect and our best interests at heart.
This week I will share some incredible work done by Black journos/media 🖤

So while we read and sit with the work of these Black journos and media outlets this week, I hope you feel compelled to make it YOUR source of news too. This is critical in disrupting the power dynamics in the Australian media landscape - you have the ability to be impactful.

We are about to enter a difficult few weeks for so many families and communities and reading their stories told with respect is something that is so important for their well-being. In addition to switching to Black reporting - we must also hold other MSM accountable.

They do what they do because they do it without consequence. Ensuring you are being impactful in disrupting the power dynamics means making them feel the consequences.
Every outlet reporting in a racist or insensitive manner should be help accountable. Make their pockets hurt.

@IndigenousXLtd

While doing this, make sure you support our media. Goes without saying - you should (if you can) support @IndigenousXLtd :

indigenousx.com.au/donate/

@koorimailnews

You should also subscribe to @koorimailnews - it will be the best fortnightly delivery you get. News, connection and community.
You should also get copies for your local schools, cafes and doctors surgeries. Our news should be out there for all.

koorimail.com/subscribe/

@amymcquire

There are also some innovative thinkers who are carving out their own space for their reporting - @amymcquire has long been a trailblazer. You can support her work here:

amymcquire.substack.com

There are also incredible radio stations doing the work - keeping news accessible for mob. Radio Skid Row is one of many I will share this week, you can support them here:

startsomegood.com/radioskidrow20…

Caama radio is also doing incredible work - you can support them here:

caama.com.au/departments/do…

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More from @IndigenousX

Natalie Cromb

@IndigenousX

3 Apr

This thread is some of my foundational reading that has not only validated my views as a Gamilaraay woman - but it has reinforced my knowledge. Coming from a matriarchal clan - women have been my foundational knowledge keepers and teachers. This list is no different.

@LarissaBehrendt

This book by @LarissaBehrendt was what settled my inner turmoil as a law student navigating the dichotomy of law and lore.

This right here - from ‘Aboriginal Dispute Resolution,’ by Larissa Behrendt:

Read 15 tweets

Natalie Cromb

@IndigenousX

3 Apr

One thing that has been interesting is the recent centring of Indigenous land management practices and fire practitioner work. Too often, this space has been dominated by non-Indigenous academics. Recently - there has been space afforded to our knowledgeable countrymen.

With the relatively recent wildfires, discussion turned to the Indigenous practices that had been swept aside for white methodologies of land & fire management. There was sudden interest in another way because, low and behold, what had been implemented by settlers wasn’t working.

@bradmoggo

There has been some incredible work done in this space by mob. @bradmoggo comes to mind instantly for his work on ecosystem protection and water system management.

google.com.au/amp/s/amp.theg…

Read 10 tweets

Natalie Cromb

@IndigenousX

2 Apr

Today I will unpack some of the work that is being done by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander academics. The enormity of this is something that should be understood by those outside the academy because these institutions are not all they seem on the surface.

Some universities have been unwelcoming to Blak students, let alone academic staff. Having a place in the academy is something hard fought by mob and this fight continues in trying to ensure cultural safety and respect for the work being done by mob for mob.

Being acknowledged and cited is a constant battle for Blak academics because they are up against non-Indigenous academics that have built their careers on the study of us. “Us” being the abstract research project.

Read 24 tweets

Natalie Cromb

@IndigenousX

2 Apr

In the Black media landscape - there is something beautiful about seeing our journos flourish. They are on the precipice of some of the most jarring and emotionally charged news - reporting on our stories is heavy and they carry it so well.

Sometimes this comes down to the environment they are in. Reporting our stories is heavy enough, but to do that in media outlets that don’t understand us or our stories and try to mould a Black journo in a culturally unsafe way is so harmful.

I have seen so many incredibly passionate and talented Black journos lose their love for their craft because of the environment they were in - their employer. Mainstream Media outlets need to be accountable for being hostile workplaces for our mob.

Read 15 tweets

Natalie Cromb

@IndigenousX

19 Mar

Cultural safety in educational institutions - a thread. Mob, please feel free to share your experiences. What I am about to share are from my own personal experiences and I want to shed light on where we are and where we need to be.

Our identity is absolutely not up for discussion by education staff based on what your idea of what Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples are supposed to look like

I expect First Nations staff to be prioritised to lead any First Nations programming and education. If you don't have First Nations staff, you need to correct this

Read 15 tweets

Natalie Cromb

@IndigenousX

18 Mar

Good morning from Dharawal Country. I sat and listened to Country this morning to unravel the web of emotions that have been surging through my mind and body. I have been trying to find answers to heavy questions on a constant loop and it is exhausting

The emotional, mental, psychological, physical, cultural (so many more) loads that we as blak women are carrying can be debilitating at times. It is through sitting with Country and yarning with tiddas that I have been able to continue functioning

We are often praised for our resilience and ability to overcome challenges, but I need everyone to know that there are times when we need the space to be vulnerable so that we can break and release.

Read 11 tweets

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