Reconciliation between Black and White Australia: the Role of Social Memory

Abstract

This chapter presents the premise that within the Australian nation are divergent social memories, and that these memories relate to different senses of self, group identity and needs of the present. It is argued that such constructs are important considerations in the process of reconciliation between black and white Australia. After providing a brief historical/political background to the current conflict between black and white Australia, we briefly discuss the role of social and cultural factors in shaping the way in which people interpret, remember and recall events. Finally, we present and discuss the findings from two recent studies that suggest the manner in which memories of historical events are culturally encapsulated may impede the understanding and resolution of social conflicts.KeywordsIndigenous PeopleAboriginal PeopleWhite PeopleSocial MemoryAboriginal PastThese keywords were added by machine and not by the authors. This process is experimental and the keywords may be updated as the learning algorithm improves.