Advertiser scapegoats Aboriginal youth

By Hali Minkayilar and Jo Ellis

ADELAIDE — On November 28, the Adelaide Advertiser printed an article about youth vandalism in Port Augusta. It was accompanied by a silhouetted picture of four teenage boys, looking dark and sinister.

The article stressed over and over again that many of the young people involved in the vandalism were Aborigines. It did not mention the ethnic background of the others involved.

It also stereotyped the Aboriginal community, referring to Aboriginal people who had "drifted" into the city.

The mainstream media constantly scapegoat Aboriginal people (especially young Aboriginal people) for crime. They also refuse to reflect the cultural diversity in Australia, filling newspaper, television programs and magazines with white actors, presenters and models. By doing so, they reinforce racism.

From GLW issue 344