The 'Right Time' Never Comes - Observation from my time at 'Impact Policy'

In his Letter from Birmingham Jail, 1963, Martin Luther King wrote,

“I have almost reached the regrettable conclusion that the Negro’s great stumbling block in the stride toward freedom is not the White Citizen’s Counciler or the Ku Klux Klanner, but the white moderate… who constantly says: ‘I agree with you in the goal you seek, but I cannot agree with your methods of direct action’; who paternalistically believes he can set the timetable for another man's freedom…”

More than 60 years later, these words are still as relevant and applicable to us here and now. Post The Voice referendum, attention has turned back to Closing The Gap and system reform, land rights, racism and other interconnected pursuits for Aboriginal advancement and empowerment.

Since joining Impact Policy, I am grateful for the opportunity to engage in discussions in different spaces. It is true that varying communities and sectors face unique challenges, but there are often consistencies. One of those consistencies is the language I hear from systems in discussion that relate to Aboriginal people.

I heard these and other phrases on repeat: ‘it’s complex’, ‘unfortunately there are time constraints', and ‘we are on a journey’.

It is difficult to remember an ongoing discussion I have witnessed, whether firsthand or in the media, where the word ‘complex’ hasn’t been used to describe an issue faced by community. The described complexities of community are a mirror to the systems that have carried on the legacy of colonisation.

Terms such as 'it's complex’ and ‘we are on a journey’ reward systems with time – I hear ‘we want the same outcome, as long as we can maintain comfortability.’ This is what Martin Luther King referred to. I feel so much strain from systems as they attempt to alleviate control and power.

There are examples of systems leading meaningful change; this too has consistencies. Consistent language that stems from not prioritising committing and committing to truth. Stan Grant stated, “Australia doesn’t have a truth-telling problem; it has a problem with truth-hearing." Leaders must be willing to not only sit in the discomfort of truth but also acknowledge it and pursue it.

We recently had Paul O’Reilly on our podcast. Paul is the Deputy Secretary of the Department of Communities and Justice NSW. Paul made so many clear statements, using plain language that is imperative to building the foundation for change in a colonial system.

Often, I feel the unasked question of, “If community are best placed, where does this leave us?" This feeling of angst from those inside a system that is being asked to hand over power. On our podcast Paul stated,

“Statutory systems need to be as small as possible—kids and families should only have contact when necessary.”  A real goal, with no desire to continuing centring system or self, but an acknowledgement of real change that is needed.

There are entire systems built and upheld based on the suffering of Aboriginal people. Continuation of white solutions for black problems, created by white 'solutions'. Systems reform is never complex because of community need; they’re complex due to the inability of systems and their benefactors to hand over power to become less relevant.

Many years ago, living in the inner west of Sydney, hanging out with mates in Marrickville, a friend’s father said to a group of us, “If you keep waiting for the right time, you’ll never do it.” It had nothing to do with systems reform or land rights but with personal ambitions. However, I still think back to it often. We cannot afford to wait for the right time; comfortability cannot hold precedence over progress.

Aboriginal people have waited long enough. Referring again to our recent podcast with Paul O’Reilly, he stated,

“It’s a white system full of black kids. And unless you’re willing to acknowledge that impact, you shouldn’t be in the system.”

We need leaders who are willing to draw these lines in the sand. Sure, these are just words, but they’re necessary to building a foundation on truth.

When we speak on ‘Aboriginal issues’, let's label them as what they are. Systems issues, ongoing colonisation, ongoing dispossession, whatever the theme. There are so many missed opportunities to draw on strengths that are unique to our communities.

When speaking on solutions for community and we hear ourselves reaching down to use words like ‘complex’, let’s instead reach up for language that points our minds to solutions, to better.

Authored by Kuyan Mitchell for Impact Policy