Sentinel Watch May 14, 2012 Issue

Prayer for racial justice in Australia

Beverley Beddoes-Mills

Helen Watson

For many years, aboriginal people, believed to be the world’s oldest continuing culture, have sought recognition in Australia’s national and state constitutions. While racial discrimination is no longer accepted in the community, the nation’s constitution permits discrimination on the basis of race, and there are other ways that these indigenous people are not sufficiently valued.

Progress has been made with the Prime Minister’s release of a discussion paper on the Constitutional Recognition of Indigenous Australians. It includes changes that would give them more rights, but it also requires a vote for passage by the citizens of this country. Should this referendum be lost, the result would be great disappointment and bitterness throughout the aboriginal community. It would also have a disastrous impact on the need for reconciliation, unity, and justice within Australian society. 

Prayer is vitally needed to bring a healing response to the fear and hate that would promote the evil of racism. A true understanding of brotherhood is required to uplift public debate and highlight the need to accept the equal status of all men and women, regardless of race or origin. 