An employment rate 27% lower than the rest of the population, a rate of High School completion 24% lower, a life expectancy over a decade less than the average of the rest of the population, a suicide rate double that of the general population, and a representation of 27% of all adult prisoners, despite representing only 3.3% of the population.

Just these few statistics, and there are more I could state, paint a picture of the distressing reality of the inequality facing Indigenous Australians today. As a person myself of Indigenous decent I find it crazy and saddening to think that Australia’s First People, the rightful first owners of this land, now feel like strangers in their own country. They feel abandoned and left to face the consequences of the extreme and ongoing disadvantages, after having been systematically stripped off their history, culture, identity, beliefs, customs and sense of kinship and community.

We are expected to "move on", "get over it" and "stop dwelling on the past". How can we do this if the "past" is still happening in the present? Put yourself in an indigenous person’s shoes, look through their eyes and see how they are still fighting for what should have already been changed many years ago. There are too many issues that are still REAL and still ALIVE in today's society. Indigenous people are still fighting for better health services, mainstream education, awareness, support systems, programs and increased rehabilitation. 

If we want to see change, we need to aim to educate indigenous people about their culture, about employment and about university opportunities. Not only do we need to educate indigenous people, but we need to educate the non-indigenous population also, as indigenous history is not being talked about, celebrated or clearly understood enough, hence why racism is so common within Australia’s society towards indigenous people. Instead of thinking incarceration is the answer we need to see that that isn’t working, we need to look at the bigger issues inflicting indigenous people and address it with rehabilitation and programs to give indigenous people greater opportunities and empower them to succeed, as well as empowering them as people to be able to reconnect with their culture.

There is a line from To Kill A Mockingbird that states, “You never really understand a person until you… climb inside of his skin and walk around in it." Although some of us ourselves may not be guilty of directly inflicting disadvantage upon indigenous people, when we ignore the problem, when we fail to listen to their voices and overlook their suffering, we are all guilty of allowing injustice to continue. The Bible says, "love thy neighbour" and I’d like you to consider, are we all really loving all our neighbours, or just the ones that look like us?

Mia C, Year 9 

It’s late at night, you stand in front of your mirror, glaring into the eyes of your reflection. You admire how smooth your skin is, how long your eyelashes are, the deep shade of crimson on your lips. You feel beautiful. As you turn to walk out the door you catch one more glimpse of yourself. You’re filled with an overwhelming sense of guilt. Because although you look beautiful... 

At what expense?

In a lab, on the other side of the world, a rabbit sits in a testing chamber. It’s covered in open scars and wounds; its eyes are red and bloody; its back is broken. A heavy silver door opens. The rabbit cries in terror because it knows what’s about to happen. The man fills a syringe with chemicals. Acids and serums that'll fill the foundation bottles and eyeshadow pallets around the world. The rabbit cries out in pain. It is helpless. 

So, stare long and hard at that person in the mirror. Because behind that face is a lifetime of pain and agony, a lifetime dedicated to the bottles that fill those shelves, to the powders and liquids pressed into your face. 

But you look beautiful, don’t you?

How can you live with yourself when you know that the makeup pressed into your face is torturing animals? How can you live with yourself when you know rabbit #18394 was poisoned for that foundation?

There are alternatives. You are well aware of this. But a bottle that costs $60 is overpriced isn’t it. And taking time to research and know what companies do and don’t test on animals is far too much of a hassle. You’d much rather watch a movie instead. 

This isn't my fault.

You say.

I’m not responsible for the companies that test on animals. It's not like I’ll make a difference.

You say.

But what will make a difference? Change starts with you and me and him and her. Change starts small but it grows and evolves, it gets bigger and bigger. So no, you making a difference won’t change anything. But the awareness you spread and the influence you have will. If we keep making excuses then change is impossible, stop saying that other people will do it for you. They won’t. And when you look back on yourself you’ll know that you sparked change. That you made a difference.

Animals matter. Stop using them as test dummies.

Grace R, Year 9 

We encourage students to email contributions for the new section of our weekly newsletter, titled "Student Voice". It may be a short story, a poem, service activity, an achievement or award (sporting, scouts, Duke of Ed etc). Please email to jcollins@gpcc.nsw.edu.au for consideration of inclusion in The Messenger.