![]() The question now is, can I keep ignoring these differences in real life? Those that do are what the other characters derogatorily call ‘coconuts,’ Aboriginal people who live their life according to ‘white’ values. Most of the Aboriginal characters in this book don’t have and are unlikely to get what I have. I’m very grateful to be who I am, which came about just from being born. ![]() I’ve never been subjected to racism of any kind. I was encouraged to continue my education. I have my family around me, work I enjoy and financial freedom. I’m automatically trusted and respected, I have choices. I’m a privileged white Australian with everything I want and more. Why do I ignore this Australia? For my own peace of mind. What am I ignoring? The contemporary version of Australia that many (not all) Aboriginal Australians live in. Not only was Too Much Lip the obvious choice, but it turned out to be a thought-provoking, unsettling and worrying look at an Australia that I know exists, but ignore. Too Much Lip by Melissa Lucashenko was the winner of the Miles Franklin Literary Award for 2019 and as such, was the obvious choice for me to begin fulfilling my New Year’s resolution of buying a book by an Australian author each month. ![]()
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