The 1967 Referendum The 1967 Referendum is an example of a civil rights movement which anticipated a ‘yes’ vote by the Australian population to change the constitution in order for Indigenous Australian Aboriginals to be included in the Commonwealth population. This particular movement had the purpose of paving the way towards …show more content…
As can be seen from notes by the National Directorate of a campaign released on the 31st of March demonstrating the significance of omitting the Section 127 of the Constitution that reads, “In reckoning the numbers of the people in the Commonwealth, or of a State… Aboriginal natives shall not be counted.” This particular excerpt beckoned with the statement that, “Aborigines are a national responsibility. We must see to it that the… Parliament… accepts that responsibility,” epitomised the path towards equality through the need of change. However, criticism did represent itself based on the idea that the Referendum held a, “mythical status.” This was through the misunderstanding that even though Aboriginals were counted as apart of the Commonwealth, and seen as citizen’s, they would have the right to vote. As can be seen through titles of campaigns convincing the public to vote yes for the remove discrimination, and for Aboriginal Rights, which promoted vague and misleading notions. In addition, this misunderstanding was not only utilised through political propaganda, however was also advocated through the media and by journalists, as this excerpt depicts, “When you write Yes… you are holding out the hand of friendship and wiping out nearly 200 …show more content…
In comparison to land rights which refers to Indigenous Aboriginals having ownership and authority seen by law to have ownership over their land. An example of a land rights movement that epitomises this can be seen through a Freedom Ride conducted by Charles Perkins. This particular movement is quite different in reference to civil rights movements such as the Referendum as it was a well planned movement that involved active participation of both Indigenous and non Indigenous individuals. This is reflected through a persuasive letter written by Charles Perkins to Mr Kingsman Chairman whereby he clearly discusses his aims, methods and hopes of taking a tour to Aboriginal communities with university students. His aim being, “… to tour by a charted bus… to visit… all reserves plus missions, and town homes of Aboriginal people. We wish to… assimilate and accumulate statistical data…” The intention of the Freedom Ride was were purely based education and the of gathering information on for example: living conditions, employment, and health of Indigenous Aboriginals in their community, and the religious and spiritual connection towards the land. However, it did also highlight discrimination, invasion of privacy and defiance on