The Complexities of Addressing Racism and Reparations in Australia

Progress has been made in addressing racism, but it's not completely solved. Some argue that previous government programs like affirmative action were a form of reparations. However, there are challenges in finding the right solutions. Pouring money into remote areas can affect entrepreneurialism, while a self-reliance ethos may not work without educational resources. The response to these issues has swung between militarization and softer approaches. Historically, there was a significant gap between the British Empire and the indigenous civilizations in Australia. Attempts to resolve these differences since 1967 have been complex. However, there has been a positive cultural and intellectual shift in recent decades. Nevertheless, some expressions of this new awareness can be perceived as shallow, such as the practice of acknowledging the land at every event.