Impact of Civil Rights Movement on Australia
The Civil Rights Movement of America had a relatively major impact upon Australia, although not many took action upon it. Many Australians bore witness to the brutality of the white people on their televisions, and were generally supportive of the efforts of the blacks to attain their goal for freedom. However, few actually realised the issue of racism within their own country. It would take the efforts of people like Charlie Perkins, who actually made the link between racism in the USA and racism in Australia, for efforts to stop racism in Australia to begin.
The Freedom Ride of Australia was headed by Charlie Perkins, and was inspired by both Martin Luther King Jr. and the Freedom Rides in America. There were two main Freedom Rides in America; both carried out similar tasks, with the main difference being that the second Freedom Ride included women within it. Perkins would incorporate the Freedom Rides of America by having Aborigines use facilities that were marked for whites only, similar to what the black riders did. Drawing on from both King and the Freedom Rides of America, Perkins would attempt to carry his message across without resorting to violence, and would ultimately help to begin the abolishment of racism.
The Freedom Ride in Australia forced people to realise the issue of racism and segregation within their own country, and sparked uproar for change. After realising these issues, people began to demand that something be done. The 1967 referendum would come about as a result of these demands. With this referendum, Aborigines would count as part of the national population, and the government would be able to create laws for them. This allowed them to feel accepted. The government would also be able to properly oversee them, and give them fair laws, unlike the state laws.
The Freedom Ride of Australia was headed by Charlie Perkins, and was inspired by both Martin Luther King Jr. and the Freedom Rides in America. There were two main Freedom Rides in America; both carried out similar tasks, with the main difference being that the second Freedom Ride included women within it. Perkins would incorporate the Freedom Rides of America by having Aborigines use facilities that were marked for whites only, similar to what the black riders did. Drawing on from both King and the Freedom Rides of America, Perkins would attempt to carry his message across without resorting to violence, and would ultimately help to begin the abolishment of racism.
The Freedom Ride in Australia forced people to realise the issue of racism and segregation within their own country, and sparked uproar for change. After realising these issues, people began to demand that something be done. The 1967 referendum would come about as a result of these demands. With this referendum, Aborigines would count as part of the national population, and the government would be able to create laws for them. This allowed them to feel accepted. The government would also be able to properly oversee them, and give them fair laws, unlike the state laws.