AUSTRALIANA ABORIGINAL –

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 spray-painted ‘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.

Cultural sensitivity advisory notice:

Aboriginal, Torres Strait Islander and other First Nations people are advised that this item may contain names, recordings, images of deceased people and other content that may be culturally sensitive. This work may contain content of a sensitive nature that may cause distress or trigger a traumatic response.

Notes:

Includes bibliographical references and index.

First Nations (AIATSIS) Subject:

• Politics and Government – National symbols and events – Memorials and commemorations
• Culture – Theory and criticism – Postcolonial
• History – Cultural
• Ethical issues – Colonisation

Subject:

• Memorialization — Australia
• Monuments — Australia
• Public sculpture — Australia
• Postcolonialism — Australia
• Collective memory — Australia
• Australia — History — 21st century
• Australia — Colonial influence
• First dition.

  • xvi, 336 pages, 16 unnumbered pages of plates : colour illustrations ; 23 cm. #281026