A problem is identified.
Action must be taken.
The apparent, visible and superficial problem is addressed without research and without questioning the CAUSE OF THE PROBLEM.
Then opinion overrides research and understanding and an “obvious” solution to the problem is identified and steps are taken to make the solution work. ALL THE SOLUTION WILL ACHIEVE IS TO POLARISE THE PROBLEM AND THUS AGGRAVATE THE PROBLEM.
Example of a Cop-out:
Teenagers in an area, call it TeenTown are wreaking havoc in ways that teenagers are prone to do. Many of these teenagers are Aboriginal so therefore “Poor Aboriginal teenagers are misbehaving because they do not have privileges and MONEY available to them that white/Caucasian/etc teenagers have” is identified as a problem. It is not their fault etc etc so “we” must do something about it.
Solution: We will set up a fund and a facility to cater for these teenagers so that they can have the same “opportunities” as “the rest” have. (All double quotes are intended to stress the polarisation aspects of this solution!).
This is cop-out where the DoGooder feels that they have achieved a great win for those Aboriginal teenagers because they have now been given the “opportunity” to join the privileged ranks of the white/Caucasian/etc .
- The situation is polarised and exacerbated by drawing attention to THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN Aboriginal teenagers AND white/Caucasian/etc teenagers. THERE SHOULD BE NO DIFFERENCE. ARE WE NOT ALL EQUAL?
- These Aboriginal teenagers do not even understand the meaning of “opportunity”. All they see/understand/accept is that the white/Caucasian/etc are giving then their due according to their rights as Aboriginal teenagers. (Excuse me? If “we” are all equal where do these rights suddenly come from? DoGooders is of course the answer.
- So if this solution is not the answer how can we deal with it NOW?
- Definitely not by polarising the situation and and providing the Aborinal teenage group with “confirmation” that it is OK for them to be jobless and not make any effort to become part of our Australian Culture. Why should I suddenly become a wellintentioned and contributing member of society when you continue to support and subsidise me for not being one? Because that is exactly what is happening and the problem continues to grow and get worse and no-one seems to understand why?
The true answer to the problem is ; Do away with the polarisation by shutting down the Dept. of Aboriginal Affairs (or whatever Dept. name it now hides under?), remove any reference to Aboriginal, Torres Islander or whatever from ANY AND EVERY FORM that exists in this country and remove any provision, legislation, law, statute or rule which exists which refers to any of these cultures. Place this as the number one project for THE TEN YEAR PLAN to be put in place for our government.
As long as these “distinctions” exist the Aboriginal people of Australia have ABSOLUTELY NO REASON TO INTEGRATE WITH FELLOW AUSTRALIANS. Why should they? If “daddy” pays you (pretty handsomely) to be different and just stay out of his way, why would any intelligent being make an effort to isolate their culture and set about becoming part of daddy’s culture (business/enterprise or whatever).
Jude