Sydney University professor criticised: Caller to Ben Fordham’s 2GB show complains about University of Sydney’s Professor Alan McKee reflecting on the Voice aftermath
A university professor has been criticized for a graduation speech in which he referred to the likelihood that “angry black boys” would react to the Voice referendum defeat.
Professor Alan McKee, head of arts, communications and English at the University of Sydney, told graduating students to use their skills to help First Nations people who would be traumatized and angry by the referendum result.
“A whole generation of young black boys have learned that being nice doesn’t work.
“There’s going to be a lot of angry young black boys out there,” he told the students.
Professor McKee paraphrased ABC Indigenous Affairs reporter Isabella Higgins, a woman from the Torres Strait Islands.
Professor Alan McKee (pictured centre) told graduating students that indigenous people would be traumatized and angry by the referendum result and would use their skills to help
The university received no complaints about Professor McKee’s comments, but the relative of a graduating student said it left “a sour taste” in his mouth. In the photo: students listening to the speech
Isabella Higgins (pictured), reporter for ABC’s Indigenous Affairs and a Torres Strait Islander woman, said Aboriginal leaders who had helmed The Voice were “burnt” by the experience
Ms Higgns believes more Indigenous Australians will now follow the tactics of Green-turned-independent Senator Lidia Thorpe (pictured)
Ms Higgins said the referendum result was likely to see more Indigenous people reject an approach that invites debate, due to a historic rejection of black anger.
Instead, she believes young Indigenous people can look to voices like Lidia Thorpe, who is often confrontational in public and is now leading a growing Black sovereignty movement, as examples.
A man whose relative was graduating called into Ben Fordham’s 2GB radio show to complain that the graduation ceremony had been “hijacked.”
He said Professor McKee’s speech left a “sour taste” in his mouth, although his graduating relative was not upset by it.
“It was very strange to sit around, especially since 60 percent of the population had made up their minds… it was a bit insensitive to bring that up at a time of celebration,” the caller said.
It is understood that no complaints were made to Professor McKee or officially filed with the faculty regarding the speech.
Professor McKee urged graduating students to respect the fact that indigenous people would be hurt after the referendum.
READ MORE: Rapper says Indigenous Australians are ‘sharpening our spears’
A Triple J radio host has shocked listeners by putting an iconic Australian protest song on repeat for an hour, a day after the Voice referendum was overwhelmingly rejected.
A clearly upset Corey Webster gave a powerful speech during the Blak Out show he hosts on Triple J.
“A First Nations colleague told me she cried for 24 hours… there will be a lot of pain and a lot of trauma.
“But First Nations people in this country have fared far worse and (their) communities are proud and strong.
“So as non-Indigenous people I think it’s our job to do whatever we can to help First Nations Australians (about) what comes next….”
There has been black anger since the Voice proposal was convincingly rejected ten days ago.
“October 14 was a moment in history that will forever cast a dark shadow,” Aboriginal rapper Nooky said on his Triple J radio show the day after the vote.
He said the indigenous people would now “sharpen our spears.”
“Last night was the most overt, undisguised display of racism I have ever experienced in my life. Yesterday they said our pain and suffering continues.
‘We all knew what the outcome would be, we all know the reality we live in. It’s only now clearer.
“Today we are not licking our wounds, we are sharpening our spears.”
Ms Higgins says Aboriginal people may be treating the rest of Australia differently and can no longer contain their “black rage” after the failed Voice to Parliament referendum.
Isabella Higgins made her comments during an interview with the Insiders on Sunday – the day after Australia voted ‘no’ to enshrining an Aboriginal Voice in the constitution.
Ms Higgins, the public broadcaster’s Indigenous Affairs reporter, said Aboriginal leaders who spearheaded The Voice were “burnt” by the experience.
“When we talk about reconciliation, we use kind language, we are generous, we extend the hand of friendship and we invite people to share in our culture,” she said.
“So I think this failure, because this is so categorically rejected by all Australians, will change the way Indigenous Australians want to interact with the rest of the country.
“It will change whether kindness is the best approach.”
The University of Sydney ‘strongly defended’ Professor McKee’s comments, saying ‘freedom of expression’ was a key issue.
Indigenous actor Deb Mailman with Triple J’s Corey Webster, aka Nooky
“Graduates from universities around the world have a long tradition of delivering thought-provoking speeches designed to celebrate success, inspire reflection and motivate students to think about a better future,” said the University of Sydney said in a statement.
“That’s what Professor McKee did with this part of his speech: after an acknowledgment of his country, he shared with the audience the reactions he had heard from First Nations friends and colleagues to the results of this past weekend’s Voice referendum , and encouraged our graduates to use the skills they learned to support First Nations communities and aspirations.
‘As a university, we serve as a platform for debate and discussion and are deeply committed to academic freedom and the safe and legal expression of freedom of expression.
“We strongly defend the right of Professor McKee to express his views, and of the public to express their own diverse views.”