Students retrace Freedom Ride

13 Feb 2011, 2:45 pm   -   Source: SBS
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A group of high school students is retracing the journey of the 1965 Freedom Ride, in the hope of generating constitutional change.

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A group of high school students is retracing the journey of the 1965 Freedom Ride, in the hope of generating constitutional change.
 
Charles Perkins led a busload of university students through outback New South Wales in 1965 to confront racism head-on.
 
Now students from Central Coast High School are retracing these steps in a bid to generate support for having the original Aboriginal ownership of Australia recognised in the constitution.
 
“We're actually in the constitution, written as ‘natives’ but not properly recognised as people of our own lands,” teacher Gavi Duncan said.
 
Mr Perkins’ daughter Hetti Perkins is moved by the actions of the students and said her father would be proud.
 
Journalist Geoff McMullen, who interviewed Mr Perkins many times, is supporting the action.
 
“I think the young freedom riders today will ask the question that Charles Perkins would ask in 2011: Are we still living with discrimination? Yes we are,” Mr McMullen said.
 
Living Black will take a comprehensive look at the 2011 Freedom Ride when it returns on March 13.
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Your Comments

Not Fair to Say

Jozef - from Central Coast, 1 year

"It is fair to say that this will not generate constitutional change. If it does, I will be annoyed that someone took time out of their day to address this issue. This is possibly one of the least powerful, and most uninteresting stories of the week." What an uneducated, idiotic thing to say. A blanket statement with no basis or support. A big thumbs up to the 2011 Freedom Ride!

Uninteresting or Uneducated

Dave Abrahams - from Central Coast, 1 year

Some would say that the efforts of aboriginal and non aboriginal young people to make a change is uninteresting and irrelevant. Others will see that here in lay the seeds of the hope and future of all peoples everywhere. A future that rewards positive efforts of young people to reflect on the lessons on the past and make a change. A story of hope, of endurance and respect for the past and the cultures that were and will be. Some will sadly be more interested in the drama of gang land violence.

Spirit to You

Whitefella fan. - from Sydney, 1 year

The '65 Freedom Ride arose from the biggest issue within the Australian population at the time - disgraceful treatment of first Australians. This is probably still the biggest issue. The rest of the world sees this. This is a great step to educate the youth & rest of us about past and present racism and disadvantage, to gather knowledge and opinion from the communities, and revive much needed momentum for further progress after Charles Perkins' passing. Great story! Go riders! James=Tool!!

Aussie hero

Beni MC - from Maroochydore, 1 year

Great work!! Dr. Perkins is a true Aussie hero. Have a pic of him graduating on my desk. If you know little about him, find out. This is what a national curiculum is about.

Fair to say

James - from Melbs, 1 year

It is fair to say that this will not generate constitutional change. If it does, I will be annoyed that someone took time out of their day to address this issue. This is possibly one of the least powerful, and most uninteresting stories of the week.

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