FREE LEX WOTTON
National Day of Action – Emergency Rally
FREE LEX WOTTON!
Free all political prisoners!
Stop Aboriginal deaths in custody!
Jail Hurley and all killer cops!
Rally and March
12 noon
Saturday 1st November, 2008
Old GPO, Bourke St Mall
For more information:
Tel: 03 9388 0062
0419 53 84 25 or 0401 806 331
Initiated by the Indigenous Social Justice Association, Melbourne
If you don’t know about this case I urge you to visit the facebook camapign page and read more about these gross injustices.
International Day of Solidarity
Solidarity in the Kulin Nations
FED SQUARE, 2pm
Melbourne
Global Day of Action Saturday 30th August 2008
We demand the unconditional freedom of the people who are facing charges as a result of the state terror raids on 15 October 2007.
Attempts by the Police to lay charges under the Terrorism Suppression Act (TSA) failed but people are still facing politically motivated charges under the Arms Act. These charges are the result of a racist operation.
Police used the Terrorism Suppression Act and over $8 million to harass and punish political activists who they saw as supporting Tino Rangatiratanga.
The Police have arrested a few people but we’re all targeted. The arrests of 15 October are aimed at intimidating and frightening all of our communities and cannot be tolerated.
We therefore call on everyone to stand up against this attack on our communities. We support the global day of action on 30 August 2008 and are mobilising to demand the unconditional freedom of the people facing charges as a result of the state terror raids.
Brought to you by LASNET & In solidarity with Oaxaca Political prisoners
For more info on the Global Day of Action, check the Indymedia Feature.
You can also support the arrestees by buying a hand printed copy of the poster form the Garage Collective, pictured at the beginning of this post. Details here.
Craft Cartel Podcast Episode #4
This week on the Craft Cartel podcast we go on a crafty travelling adventure to Uluru and check out some of the amazing Indigenous Craft collectives:
To understand more about the NT Intervention and how to support the resistance to the invasion, please visit the National Aboriginal Alliance and ANTaR.
First track is ‘Steven Wallace, Waiata Tangi’ by Anatonio Te Maiotia from the album Tu Kotahi: Freedom Fighting Anthems supporting those affection by the October 15th Raids.
We interview Sharna Nolan from the seriously awesome Skateistan project which is working to teach kids in Kabul how to skateboard. If you like the sounds of this project please make a donation to the project, and tell your friends!!
Second track is ‘There is a War going on for your Mind’ by Flobots
We also delve into the issues surrounding female body representation in the craft world and the current trend of vacant googly eyed big headed freaks. We’d love to hear what you think!
This episodes links to check out are:
The Groundswell Collective
Make Art Like You Care
Anti Advertising Agency
ArtThreat
Rebel Art
Just Seeds
Notices
Free Tibet XStitch Comp
Pop Goes The Needle
Hoopla #2 (coming VERY soon!)
The best way to listen to the podcast is to subscribe and download today!
Putting this podcast together does take a bit of time and effort (especially this episode!) so if you like what you hear, feel free to chuck some dosh in our virtual busking hat. We’ll love you for it! (and it might help Casey get home…)
And as always we love to hear from YOU! So drop us a comment or email and don’t forget to check out the archive.
Free Tibet Xstitch Competition
Hope you’ve all been as inspired as I am with all the Free Tibet action going on around the world. I was stoked to read today that Wangari Maathai, a Green Party woman who was the first African woman to win the Nobel Peace Prize has pulled out of the rally on humanitarian grounds.
Not all of us live on the relay route so we can’t all be involved in the symbolic actions to halt the flame. But that doesn’t mean we can’t do our own thing. So I was pondering about what cross stitch I could do and I though ‘why not get lots of people to do some?’
SO!
I’m laying down the challenge to all members of the Radical Cross Stitch Posse to design and stitch your own Free Tibet cross stitch.
AND!
There’ll be prizes! First prize is a Radical Cross Stitch kit of your choice (there’ll be more to choose from soon). Other prizes will be available too as I work them out. And every entrant will get a copy of Hoop-La Issue 2 (on it’s way!) sent to them. Plus all of the finished stitches will be proudly displayed on the Radical Cross Stitch site.
I’ll be stitching a design too (when I figure out what it is…) and will post progress reports. Obviously I’m not eligible for prizes 
Inspired? If you need some ideas to kick start your creative brain, try reading the DiY page for tips
The deadline is the end of June. To enter simply add your finished pic to the Radical Cross Stitch Posse group on Facebook, publish photos on your website linking back to this site, or email pics straight to me. The rules are very loose. You can make whatever you want, as long as it has some cross stitch in it. And you absolutely get bonus points for public art.
Get stitching!
I’m dedicating this competition to the memory of Gaye Dyson who is the most inspiring crafty activist I have ever know. Gaye taught me how to screen print and taught me what living was all about. The Free Tibet campaign was a central campaign in Gaye’s life and I reckon she would’ve been the first to enter!
xox
Iraq I Knit
Well I don’t but Lisa does.
Lisa is also the only person in the world who has ever convinced me I should take up knitting. I’ll get there one day….
These amazing pieces have been made for the 5th Anniversary and they are so so gorgeous.
I would just love to own a jersey aka sweater like that!
While I’m on the topic of Lisa’s stuff I was gonna post about this one the other day but never got to it. This was the tribute knit dress for the Obama campaign
Now THAT makes politics sexy eh?
I reckon it’s time I had a little rant about the primaries ’cause I’ve had a number of people ask me recently what I reckon. I don’t really care who wins the Democrat race (don’t care about the elephants). And I think the whole conversation about what’s more important the first black guy or first white chick is absolute trash. As far as I’m concerned, they may as well be white men ’cause they’re not acting ANY DIFFERENT.
I have never been a fan of equality. I am a fan of liberation. As a feminist I have no desire to be free to be like a man, I want to be free to be a woman. And I assume if I was African American I would have a similar sentiment. Hilary and Obama don’t offer any reform to the fundamental system which oppresses women and people of colour. Quite the opposite if you ask me.
I thoroughly recommend you read this piece from the Indigenest Intelligence Review on the Obama ‘promise’. It is well written and gives brilliant historical context. And it makes me ask the questions about what either candidate is offering to the indigenous people of North America? Do either of them acknowledge that the ‘great’ nation of the United States of America is built on stolen land and fuelled by genocide?
Obama, whom one would expect to have some level of sympathy at least has a campaign tshirt that looks like this
these were part of a series that featured other such moments of genius as “Ghettobama” “Frobama”, “Showbama” and “Unabama”.
This tshirt has demonstrated such a high level of ignorance and disrespect. The Navajo people do not wear headdresses and those people who do only do so in ceremony. So this is insanely offensive. And compounding this is of course is Obama’s complete lack of policy in relation to indigenous people.
If I was American I wouldn’t be very inclined to participate in a presidential election. Despite attempting to be the global voice of freedom, the US has one of the least democratic electoral systems in the world. Electoral reform is a far more worthy campaign to invest energy in, if you’re into voting that is. But if I was gonna vote, it would definitely go to Cynthia. The only true pro peace candidate.
Respec’
Iraq I Roll
Yesterday (otherwise known as today in the rest of the world who haven’t caught up yet) was the 5th Anniversary of the US Invasion of Iraq. So I’ve been thinking about what my contribution was gonna be to the blogswarm.
I thought I could discuss how ironic it is that many on the right – and I’m talking outside of the US here, I have long since given up trying to figure out the thought logic of the US right – are now calling the war a disaster. I mean, what did they think was going to happen? Maybe the US Army would skip in and take out Saddam and give all the kids soft toys and look like heroes?
I thought about discussing the original debate about how it was all about access to resources and now it appears the war is costing more than it’s making. Which is of course the reason why the right is now starting to think it’s all a waste of time.
I thought about discussing how disgusting it is that there isn’t even a record of how many Iraqi people have died during their alleged liberation. It’s a bit hard to call it a liberation when the liberators have taken out more people than the original dictator.
Well I reckon there’s a lot of people talking about that stuff so instead, here’s my contribution
Oh and while we’re on the topic of liberating people
A Radical Easter
For those of you unfortunate souls who aren’t members of the Radical House Wives Baking Club and Terrorist Society Facewank group, I will share this message with you. Because it is so wonderful!
West Mallee Protection Easter Drive Fundraiser
Help contribute to West Mallee Protection – a support group for the Kokatha Mula Nation, an affiliate of Friends of the Earth Australia and active conservation crew who learn about, care for and advocate for the total protection of the Pureba and Yumbarra Conservation Parks and Yellabinna Regional Reserve. These parks, on the far west coast of SA contain unique old growth mallee country which is rich in culture and ecological value and are under increasing threat from mining interests.
Make your Easter a little radical and deliciously decadent.
We are now taking orders for our Easter packs.
Delux: $25
Six organic spelt hot x buns
Twelve handcrafted rich chocolate creatures
250gm Organic Cocoa
Jar of homemade jam
Yummy biscuit treats
And three gift cards
Holidayz: $15
Four organic spelt hot x buns
Six handcrafted rich chocolate creatures
250gm Organic Cocoa
And two gift cards
Please let us know if you would like a little less Christian tradition and we can make spelt buns with a symbol of your choice (try peace, anarchy, aboriginal flag, fem rights etc).
A big thanks to Terri from Fraise Sauvage – for the chocolate wisdom. Contact fraisesauvage@gmail.com for all your locally made, handcrafted chocolate decadence and Steve’s Organics (Adelaide) for donating the spelt flour and rich organic cocoa.
ALL FUNDS to help continue the campaign against mining destruction and go towards building projects such as Rockhole recovery which foster understanding and respect for culture and country.
Email or phone your orders to Breony:
0423 910 42
westmallee@gmail.com
Packs will be available for pickup at Friends of the Earth – 312 Smith St, Collingwood,
on Thursday 19th March or delivery (If in inner suburbs $5 extra).
Kia ora Kitty?
Well there’s a bit of a hoo-ha going on at the moment about a certain illustrator and his creation of a Maori Hello Kitty design. NOTE! This is not a real doll, it is an illustration. This guy does not work for Sanrio and this is not one of their dolls.
This conversation from Kitty Hell:
Michael:
Joseph -
Are you an inappropriate appropriator casually drawing on anything that takes your fancy? Or are you an edgy artist challenging cultural sensitivities in a globalised context?
Maybe you are, as you say, an innocent illustrator dabbling with dolls. So I presume to critique your work on that level.
As others have already noted, you have applied a male moko to a female figure – or put a hair-bow on a male head.
Also, you seem to have missed a really interesting of aspect of moko which is that the foreground pattern should be in the clear skin – the ink is the background that reveals the person’s whakapapa (heritage) and place in the community.
Or is this disrespect for authenticity just another layer of post-modern ironic wit?
I do recognise that the work has been accomplished with commendable precision.
All the best.Joseph:
Hi Michael.
Thank you for your great letter.
Yes indeed, Kitty is a mish-mash of male and female ‘forces’.
The use of male moko / tattoo is a comment on how something so innocuous can become a cultural icon (in this case, Hello Kitty) and, through their instant recognisabilty, become more powerful than the simple conventions of sexuality or identity.
My other ‘Kittys’ forgo the usual “she’s a girl” rules and show how, no matter what “dressing” you put on someone, they are still the same under it all.
Kitty may be wearing a warrior’s moko but her ‘mana’ comes from her honest ‘kitty-ness’. It doesn’t change, no matter how ’staunch’ you paint her.Sean:
Please remove this picture of this shit doll and learn a little about my peoples culture before you go screwing around with it.
It is offensive in so many ways and I don’t really want to show it to my whanau or kaumatua, Putting a Ta Moko of the male on a female doll WTF !!! I don’t know what you think art is but thats not it bro so just make good and remove it a.Marie:
Well Joseph, it has a point of difference..lol You said you didn’t want people hating on you, well you stuffed up there when you used Maori designs in a controversial way. A suggestion, next time do some research! I’m Maori and an artist but Im not offended with it, just annoyed at your lack of research into the culture and the designs as it has come off culturally inappropriate, insensitive and ignorant. It has a controversial spin and people will either love it or hate it! I think most Maori will hate it but thats my own opinion!!
I think this is an interesting case. Looking at this guys other work it’s obvious that he is extremely good at what he does. So what I don’t get is why this bit of work was so badly thought through.
I don’t think there was any malicious intent with this work. I don’t think the guy was trying to offend anyone. Quite the opposite, I think as a graphic designer he understands the design skill behind traditional moko. But seriously this is really badly flawed.
I absolutely agree that he should have done a hell of a lot more research for this illustration. By not grasping the simplest concepts of ta moko design he has completely missed the opportunity to do something really clever.
What else concerns me is where the design inspiration actually came from. I have heard stories in the past of people from other parts of the world copying historic ta moko designs onto their faces. I’m not sure why I’m guessing they’re going for the ‘tribal’ look or something. But often the copies were direct which has meant that some random person has literally got someone else’s whakapapa on their face. So that’s not just appropriation, it’s a form of identity theft. I really hope that this illustration is not one of these cases.
The other issue that I wonder about is if Joseph thought that he wouldn’t have gotten a reaction like this? I don’t believe that as someone working in the design industry in New Zealand wouldn’t have heard of the various examples of overseas companies engaging in cultural appropriation with Maori culture; especially the Lego case. I’d really hate to think this was an intentional publicity stunt.
I would advise Joseph to really think hard about having this piece on line. It will upset a lot of people. And given he is a professional illustrator with an established company, that might not be a good thing. If he does leave it online. I think it should be modified with some of the artistic and cultural critique in mind. And he really needs to have some written information with the piece to explain his motives behind creating it.
props: Tangatawhenua.com for the story
Sorry Fence
On Wednesday Kevin Rudd apologised on behalf of the Australian Commonwealth Government to the Aboriginal People for the policy of enforced removal of Aboriginal children from their families. This was a policy with the intention of breeding out Aboriginal People and saw more than 50,000 children removed from their families. In some cases, this involved three generations of children being removed.
This apology has been a very, very long time coming and I think the number of tears shed on Wednesday by both Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians is testament to the burden this has been on the nation.
I was asked to honour the day with a fence intervention (ironically). I was proud to help commemorate the occasion. And after about 7 hours of ‘stitching’ and countless hours of finger knitting I finished a giant SORRY on the fence of Section 8 Container Bar in Tattersalls Lane.
I finished this well into the evening so the first finished shot is a bit dark.
An up close shot of the R . I think the fence grid was about 5cm to give you an idea of scale.
The work in progress
I went back a couple of days later to get some more photos.
The response from passers by has been amazing with many people stopping to take photos. And no one has tried to vandalise it yet which makes me really happy!
What I really like about this one is that you have to look through it into the space. And while the text is very obvious to see, it doesn’t obscure the fence at all. Normally that wouldn’t bother me, but this is a fence with a very specific purpose. I also love the softness of the wool. I think it adds more feeling to the statement. Wool reminds me of a warm winter hug, and this wool shows how much love and warmth is meant from us non-Indigenous activists who support this apology.
Sorry
Well given that Kevin Rudd is actually saying Sorry this week, I figured I really should get around to putting my Sorry cross stitch kit online. I put this together a couple of months ago but I have been struggling getting photos together and the time to do it.
So presenting the Sorry Cross Stitch Kit!
This pattern is designed to be worn as a patch, or stitched directly onto some clothing.
And you can buy one here.
I must say though, I find it amazing that there’s still 34% of people who don’t get why it’s important to apologise to the Stolen Generation. I mean, it’s not like the government will be apologising for invading Aboriginal land, stealing all the land, mass slaughter of Aboriginal people, introduction of disease and the corruption of government. It’s not like they’re acknowledging the undeclared war in this country and the tenuous constitutional existence of the state of Australia.
Goodness we’ve got a long way to go.
Those of you interested in these issues should join Curse of Dialect, ANTaR and others at Section 8 Bar after the apology broadcast in Fed Square (9am 13thFeb) for some good decolonisation conversation.