Bibliograph

Monumental disruptions, Aboriginal people and colonial commemorations in so-called Australia, Bronwyn Carlson and Terri Farrelly

Type

Label

Monumental disruptions, Aboriginal people and colonial commemorations in so-called Australia, Bronwyn Carlson and Terri Farrelly

Language

eng

Bibliography note

Includes bibliographical references (pages 290-331) and index

Illustrations

platesillustrations

Index

index present

Literary Form

non fiction

Main title

Monumental disruptions

Nature of contents

bibliography

Responsibility statement

Bronwyn Carlson and Terri Farrelly

Sub title

Aboriginal people and colonial commemorations in so-called Australia

Summary

What is the place of Australia’s colonial memorials in today’s society? Do we remove, destroy or amend? Monumental Disruptions investigates how these memorials have been viewed, and are viewed, by First Nations people to find a way forward. In June 2020, on the heels of Australia’s James Cook anniversary commemorations and statue-toppling Black Lives Matter protests in the USA, dozens of police were sent to guard a statue of Cook in Hyde Park, Sydney. Despite the police presence, two women spraypainted ‘sovereignty never ceded’ across the statue. Scenes like this are being repeated around the world as societies reassess memorials that no longer reflect today’s values. Should they be removed, destroyed or amended? Monumental Disruptions looks for answers. It investigates why commemorations were erected, their meaning for Aboriginal people in Australia, both then and now, and it compares Australia’s experience with that overseas. Those who question colonial commemorations have been called ‘UnAustralian’; but, in Australia, Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal communities are working together to forge new ways to mark the past. This timely book is essential reading for anyone interested in how a society commemorates and acknowledges its complex history

Target audience

adult

Contributor