It’s no secret that social media – Twitter in particular – is a toxic sea of feel-pinions, dominated by ranting, foaming angry people.
But every now and then, it throws up something worth feeling inspired by (if not simultaneously also very ashamed).
This week is one such occasion.
On Monday night, One Nation leader Pauline Hanson appeared on The Bolt Report on Sky News. In doing so, she achieved what was previously though impossible… lowering the general banality of the show.
Hanson complained that there is “no definition of Aboriginal”. Which is a remarkable statement, given there has long been a definition of Aboriginal.
For the record it’s this: 1. You must identify as Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander; 2. You must have Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander heritage; and 3 (and most importantly) You must be accepted by the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community.
Not particularly complicated, but complicated enough, apparently, to send the synapses of thousands of white Australians misfiring.
In response, Ryan Griffen, the creator of the thoroughly excellent ABC TV series Cleverman tweeted this:
Can we all start a tag #DefineAboriginal
— Ryan Griffen (@RyanJGriffen) November 29, 2016
The rest, as they say, is history. What followed was a flood of Aboriginal and Torres Islander people ‘defining Aboriginal’, by detailing the racism that they stare down every day. The hashtag is still going off this morning, but here’s just a taste of what ‘fighting ignorance’ looks like… and, sadly, what being black in Australia feels like.
When Bill Leak draws a cartoon to save your kids #DefineAboriginal — BRIGGS AKA BIG SIGH (@BriggsGE) November 29, 2016
Explaining everything, up to and including justifying your own existence, all the time, to all the people, forever… #defineAboriginal
— Pearson In The Wind (@LukeLPearson) November 29, 2016
Being told you cant use any paint or brushes in your high school art class cause those are 4 students who pay school fees. #DefineAboriginal — NOOKY (@nookymusic) November 29, 2016
Having to explain why the mish isn’t scary to walk up.. #DefineAboriginal
— Tasman Keith (@TasmanKeith) November 29, 2016
Being 10 years old & watching your dad get locked up for skateboarding on a footpath & J walking #DefineAboriginal — Tasman Keith (@TasmanKeith) November 29, 2016
Being told by a school mate at my reunion that the day I was born was the darkest in my town’s history #defineaboriginal @RyanJGriffen
— Linda Burney MP (@LindaBurneyMP) November 29, 2016
making @SestaFunkoars hail all the cabs while i hid behind trees #defineaboriginal — The Funkoars (@funkoars) November 29, 2016
Being told by a white boy from Tassie that that his people pushed my people off a cliff #DefineAboriginal
— Miranda Tapsell (@missmirandatap) November 29, 2016
getting kicked out of tute for telling the White lecturer that domestic violence isn’t a “cultural thing” #DefineAboriginal — Charis Ballantyne (@CharisBallaz) November 29, 2016
White ppl, don’t actually define Aboriginal. We got this. #DefineAboriginal
— a Murri Aboriginal (@handsomemurri) November 29, 2016
Never getting to live on Ramsay St or in Summer Bay #DefineAboriginal — chelsea bond (@drcbond) November 29, 2016
Getting told “You sound angry and frustrated” when having to advocate hard for the prevention of Indigenous suicide #DefineAboriginal
— Dameyon Bonson (@DameyonBonson) November 29, 2016
(•_•) <) )╯ define / \ \(•_•) ( (> Whiteness / \ (•_•) <) )> instead / \#DefineAboriginal — a Murri Aboriginal (@handsomemurri) November 29, 2016
Being told I’m not A REAL AUSSIE cos I refuse 2 celebrate bein Aussie on a day that represents pain & grief for my people #defineAboriginal
— Leearna Williams (@watsupthisislee) November 29, 2016
#defineaboriginal Being abducted by police without charge for a 12 hr psych evaluation 4 challenging your GP’s assertions about “progress”. — Dr Y (@DoctaYunka) November 29, 2016
The last seat avail on the train/bus is next to you and EVERYONE stands up. Yes even the 80yo ladies #DefineAboriginal
— Phil Mairu (@Thisphilmairu) November 29, 2016