12 September 1981 was the fifth anniversary of the death of the radical black South African activist, Steve Biko, in police custody. That day, the South African rugby union team, the Springboks, was playing a match against the New Zealand (NZ) rugby union team, the All Blacks (named for the playing colours they used). Members… Read more »
people of color
Farewell Veronica Brodie
Campaigners for Aboriginal justice lost a champion with the death of Veronica Brodie on the 3rd of May. Veronica, a respected elder, was a tireless freedom fighter from Ngarrindjeri-Kaurna nations. She was born Veronica Wilson at Point McLeay Mission, South Australia (SA) in 1941. Until the mid 1960s, her life was completely controlled by the… Read more »
Revolutionary Integration: A Marxist Analysis of African American Liberation
My hometown, Guilford Connecticut, had one African American family. The only other family of colour was from Puerto Rico, brought in as cheap labour for Pinchbeck’s prosperous rose farm, just down the road from my house. We kids went to primary school together. Our education system didn’t provide much for special needs, so my eighth… Read more »
Standing in solidarity with Muslim women
Bush’s “War on Terrorism” has the sickening stench of racism — as wars for profit always do. In the previous world war, Uncle Sam saved “Western Civilisation” from “Asian hordes.” Today, he’s going after “Islamic terrorists” from the Middle East and Asia. According to Fred Nile, Christian fundamentalist Member of Parliament in New South Wales,… Read more »
High Court legitimises dispossession: Racist judgement denies existence of Yorta Yorta Nation
In 1992, Indigenous Nations celebrated the Mabo Judgement, which finally recognised, partially, their traditional ownership of their country. Since then, both major parties have stacked the High Court with judges hostile to civil rights in general and Indigenous rights in particular. On December 12, a five-to-two majority effectively annulled Mabo — part of a ruling… Read more »
Eliminating sexism, racism & homophobia: Cuba’s achievements & challenges
For those of us who believe a better world is possible, Cuba is the beacon that shows us the way. Against incredible hardships, this tiny island nation has been able to provide for its people things we can only dream of — free, universal, high quality education, health care and child care. Cuba faces racism,… Read more »
No justice, No peace Letty Scott: The story of a fighter
Letty Scott is a fighter. Her husband allegedly hung himself at Berrimah Prison in the Northern Territory on 5 July 1985. For the last decade-and-a-half, Letty has used her anger to campaign for the reopening of his case to expose the truth surrounding his death.
Stealing Moments for Poetry
Nellie Wong is a citizen of the world. An off-hand comment by her boss, a skin irritation, a homeless person on the street, the smell of food cooking or tanks in Tiananmen Square . . . all these scenes from working class life are her inspirations. Her work is complex, evocative and rich with imagery.
Resisting Sexual Exploitation in the Philippines: A Necessarily Intensifying Conflict
Cecilia Hofmann and Melvi Gelacio are two Filipino feminists who toured Australia last September for the Women Cannot Be Bought National Tour. Alison Thorne spoke with them on the Melbourne leg of the tour.
Exclusive: FSB talks with Victorian Koori Elder, Liz Hoffman
Elizabeth Hoffman, is chair of the Yorta Yorta Clans Group. She shared insights into the hidden history of the Indigenous peoples of the continent’s south-east. Like so many other such histories, it is about the murderous onslaught of the white invaders and of the struggle of the people to survive.
