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textbook author is presenting for students’ knowledge development, attitudes towards
Indigenous Australians from two distinctly different historical periods; one from 1895 and
one from 1965. Highlighting the discourses of racial inferiority to students through primary
source documents enables the author to clearly communicate what is considered to be
dominant views towards Indigenous Australians, across time periods. Of particular note, both
quotes focus on unreasonable violent acts committed against Indigenous Australians, based
only on their race; acts that would not be condoned if committed on a non-Indigenous person.
Care needs to be taken when analysing primary source documents, as there is potential to take
extracts out of context for how they are being used in the textbook. Therefore, analysis of this
chapter will focus mainly on the interpretation of the primary source documents that the
author offers of them, not the primary source document itself.
7.9.2 Discourses of a ‘dying race’.
Discourses of a ‘dying race’, prominent in previous eras, is also visible in school curriculum
in the lead up to 1988. However, a significantly different approach is taken towards how it is
represented. Throughout Source 7.38 there are distinct comparisons made (even if not always
overt) between attitudes, beliefs and actions of the past and those of the current-day;
presented more or less as a sub discourse of progress to show that the attitudes, beliefs and
actions of the past are no longer applicable in the contemporary milieu. Key terms that
express this perspective are, for example, “It was the practice…”; “Before the 1930s, it was
generally believed...”; and “…it became increasingly apparent” (Stewart, 1986, p. 193,
emphasis added). Whereas the author of the textbook presents former views as shameful or
unjust or even one of protection (for example, the perspective of journalist and anthropologist
Daisy Bates), a distinct discourse of progress is being communicated whereby in
contemporary times, these views are no longer held by non-Indigenous Australians. This sub
discourse of progress is attributed to Indigenous peoples becoming increasingly politically
active, and empowered.
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