Noel Pearson

Noel Pearson

By Paul, Melanie, Steve & Quinnie

Details of the Speech

Composer: Noel Pearson Title of the speech: “An Australian history for

us all” Date of speech: 20th November 1996 Purpose: To present an argument against

Australians who disagree with the idea that Australians should accept responsibility of past injustices towards Aboriginal Australians.

Audience: Guests attending the Chancellor’s Club Dinner, University of Western Sydney (a well educated, middle class crowd who would not be considered conservative in their attitudes)

About Noel Pearson

Noel Pearson is an Aboriginal Law and history graduate who is an activist for Aboriginal issues but also a critic to some aspects of the Aboriginal community (e.g. the high rate of reliance on welfare), and advocates increased responsibility for the Aboriginal community.

He is the founder of the Cape York Institute for Policy and Leadership. Since the end of the 1990s his focus has encompassed a range of additional issues which he has strongly argued that the Indigenous policy needs to change direction, notably in relation to welfare, substance abuse, child protection, and economic development.

Context

Context

• In 1992, the Mabo decision invalidated “terra nullius” and gave Aboriginal people the right to claim Native Title where it had not already ceased.

• In 1996, The Wik decision extended the Mabo findings, saying that Native Title could coexist with pastoral leases, but where there was conflict, pastoral lease would prevail.

• These were the first times legislation and case law recognised Aboriginals as the first inhabitants of Australia.

• Also in 1996 a few days before Pearsons speech, PM John Howard criticised the “black armband” view of history, which caused debate over how Australians should respond to their past.

Context

Media generated hysteria and PM Howard’s statement- Australian public should not have to accept this ‘black armband’ view of Australian past, they should not feel guilty for others’ actions. This Led to further tension and Pearson addresses this ‘moral and political turbulence’.

Pearson took on a more conservative approach to Aboriginal politics, strongly criticising his own community for the high rates of substance abuse and reliance on welfare payouts. He became an advocate of increased responsibility for the Aboriginal community.

Context

Noel Pearson was asked to address an academic gathering at the Uni of Western Sydney and he chose to speak on Australian History. host was his former history professor, the Chancellor, Professor Derek Schreuder. His topic, inspired by High Court decisions and political statements at the time focused on the relationships between the European settlers and the Aboriginal people

Native Title, The Wik and Mabo Decision provided a momentous change in Australian history and for the 1st time, a legislation and case law recognised Aboriginals as the original inhabitants of Australia

Central Ideas and Arguments

• The truth of Australian history• That Aboriginal history and the people’s treatment must

be told, even if Australians feel guilty or believe that “it’s all in the past, we have nothing to do with it.”

• There is a danger that PM John Howard will undo the Mabo decision, as he supports the views that Australians should not apologise for the past

• The speech is a strong reflection of the history debate regarding how Australians should respond to their past

• Pearson argues that reconciliation is not about “laying the blame” – but recognising past injustices and claiming some responsibility

• He also argues that the media has created “free speech” into the freedom to speak in meaningless clichés and “sound bites”

Values Explored

• Truth and the acceptance of history and past injustices, even if people “reject responsibility of it”

• Ideas and the truth are more important than politics

• Reconciliation between Aboriginals and Australians

• Responsibility of actions

Structure of Speech

KAIROS/AUDIENCE: Both work in conjunction with each other to make the speech much more effective; it is formal occasion, aimed at the educated community

DECORUM: Noel Pearson delivers a rational argument in a manner that isn’t ‘threatening’ the audience, and he states that he is there to open one’s eyes and present a much more intimate perspective on the issue, rather than force the audience into different views – a very appropriate manner which undoubtedly gained the needed attention.

ETHOS, LOGOS, PATHOS: Pearson’s perspective may be contradictory to those of the general public (during 1995), although during his speech the audience listens with an open mind, due to the way he presents. His logic and reasoning is what also ‘soften’ his audience, especially since he is an Indigenous Australian himself. The excessive amount of feeling (emotion/personal experience) and inclusive language contributes to the speech’s effectiveness.

Structure of Speech

Throughout his speech, Pearson refers to a number of politicians, professors and historians, using their writings as evidence and support for the arguments he has put forward. This evidence was a key aspect throughout his presentation, as the audience saw the seriousness behind Pearson’s overwhelmingly calm tone and approach to the issue.

As well as this, Pearson added a ‘personal touch’ to his speech, a key element which can, and did succeed in capturing the audience. Given his status as an Indigenous Australian Lawyer and activist, he was able to provide the all important personal perspective, on a level which proves the typical Aboriginal stereotype wrong. The formal and civilised approach to his arguments provided the audience with logic and well educated arguments.

Rhetorical Devices, Techniques and Examples

METAPHOR “Australia’s colonial history is what the Americans would call a

hot button issue” Early on in his speech, Pearson states how delicate and controversial this topic is, especially when ordinary Australians are asked to take responsibility for the past.

“Howard’s opinions resonate...with ordinary Australians”

Pearson alludes to the unfortunate fact that Prime Minister (at the time) John Howard shares similar views with most Australians, a view which is largely against taking any responsibility for the past.

“Brain Damaged Dialogue” Pearson also attacks the media,

arguing that free speech has become ‘tabloid free speech’, the ‘right’ to speak in clichés and slogans, not real debate. Along with this, he incorporates alliteration, adding to its effectiveness.


METAPHOR

"These are lines that resonate", "...resonates with the instincts and feelings of ordinary Australians“

The word 'resonate' is used with the notion that political ideas 'vibrate in harmony' or 'strike a chord' that expresses the way people feel


COLLOQUIAL LANGUAGE “Aborigines should stop being

victims and ‘get over it’” Pearson, when describing the perspective ordinary Australians have on the issue; the use of colloquial language, a very heartless expression (‘get over it’) highlights the lack of respect for such a sensitive topic.


IRONY “For how can we as a contemporary community in 1996 share and

celebrate in the achievements of the past, indeed feel responsibility for and express pride in aspects of our past, and not feel responsibility for and express shame in relation to other aspects of the past?” Here Pearson presents a fundamental and extremely strong argument, a sentence which surely puts ordinary Australians in an embarrassing position. An educated and well thought statement, it without a doubt caused the audience to question what has been happening throughout Australian society.

“If the amendments by Howard are approved, Mabo will be no more...we will indeed be guilty” As politicians attempt to “exorcise” the imaginary guilt which seems to burden ordinary Australians on a daily basis, actual guilt will take its place, the guilt of forgetting a horrific series of events, with no apology or any type of sympathy.


INCLUSIVE LANGUAGE “You have taken from us not just our

land...but some of our ways...” Pearson uses inclusive language to in some ways allude to the fact that Australians as a whole have contributed to the issue facing Indigenous Australians. As well as this, Pearson incorporates personal perspectives, as he himself is Aboriginal.


Metonymy "The more vehement the denials the more

they betray an anxiety to exorcise guilt“ Uses the term 'exorcise' in relation to guilt

implying that guilt is of a demonic nature. Denial is presented as something evil,

thus leading one to consider the effects of the Great Australian Silence.


Hypophora "In conclusion, what substance is there in the new

emphasis on our colonial history that Prime Minister John Howard and his Minister are urging and in the crusade against the black armbands and their alleged obsession with guilt? The answer is: nothing at all.

Helps to maintain interest by playing on the curiousity of the people

Ignites a thought process whereby one asks themselves '...what substance?' before Pearson answers the question for them thereby positioning the audience to support his claim


Truncated Sentences "Black Armbands. Guilt Industry. Political

Correctness. Aboriginal Industry. These are lines that resonate.“

There is added emphasis and therefore added impact.

Can be seen as slogans set for advertising, they are lines created to dominate and influence the minds of society


QUOTATIONS Pearson uses a range of quotations throughout

his speech, quoting John Howard, Paul Keating, Professor Stanner, Robert Hughes, Senator Herron, Dr John Hewson, and even himself. The wide range of sources, some even from North America work to support his case.

He uses quotes from other speeches in order to support his arguments and overall purpose

eg. "I think what we need to do is open our hearts a bit. All of us." (PM, Keating)

Links to Other Speeches

The following speeches link to the key issues of Noel Pearson’s speech including identity, unity, justice, freedom, equality Faith Bandler: “Faith, Hope and

Reconciliation” PJ Keating: Funeral Service of the

Unknown Australian Soldier

Critical Commentary

Pearson presents his speech in a very effective manner; he is able to present his arguments in a formal and educated way and is greatly aided with his lawyer background. Throughout the speech, he is able to incorporate personal perspectives, priceless views which have indeed gone a long way in fighting for his case.

His history-student approach is found to be evident throughout the speech via the incorporation of historical quotes that are used to support his arguments.

Pearson VS. Howard

Thank you

By Paul, Melanie, Steve & Quinine

Noel Pearson

Documents

Transcript of Noel Pearson