We Are Not Primitive

A quick search for keywords associated with "primitive" turns up "untamed, wild, unruly, unrestrained, uninhibited, undisciplined".

Anybody who has lived in or known an indigenous culture knows that aboriginal society is quite the opposite of this. Why then are we described this way?

The worst thing about the term is that it suggests indigenous culture is a static artifact, a stoneage fossil that does not evolve and adapt. It relegates us to the past, the stoneage, and deprives us of basic rights as peoples.

I believe this is the intent behind the "primitive" label. It is part of the dominant culture's desire to progress towards a "final solution", and finally have closure around the nuisance and shame caused by the colonial history of blood.

This closure was referred to by White Australia policy makers (the fathers of federation) as "finality". Genocidal and assimilationist policies were designed to hasten this finality, and the ideology behind these still linger today.

How do we end the use of this racist term, and the sub-human ideologies behind it? Well, UK organisation Survival International has a plan. Click the link to find out more.