Oodgeroo Noonuccal Son Of Mine

Goodmorning/afternoon Mr Ibell and Class,
However, through texts individuals are challenged to consider their preconceived idea on prejudice, with the purpose of challenging themselves and society to show greater sympathy to the marginalised in the community. An individuals’ cultural identity has the power to challenge societal views on discrimination, which is influenced by the people around them.
Prejudice has the power and capacity to alienate any individuals affected by it. Oodgeroo Noonuccal’s ‘Son of Mine’ reveals through the voice of an Indigenous mother talking to her son that prejudice and cultural destruction was an issue that all aboriginals had to face. The subjective mood conveyed in the rhetorical question, “What can I tell …show more content…
However, she understands that this conversation is one that must take place. Noonuccal therefor illustrates the inner conflict that occurs due to prejudice, and how even the people affected find it difficult to articulate their feelings. This then demonstrates to the audience how prejudice creates a border between the affected and the instigators. Noonuccal also conveys multiple messages through the hidden meaning “of rape and murder, son of mine,” through the use of emotive language. She is not only telling her son about the physical abuse that the aboriginal people had to endure due to prejudice and discrimination. She is also explaining to her son about how the indigenous Australians were raped of their rights for hundreds of years, as they were forced to fit into the cultural ways of the white intruders. Therefore, it is evident that Noonuccal has much to tell her son about his history and the prejudice towards indigenous people, as well as about what is happening to him in the present through layers of meaning in the simple phrases she wishes to tell. Composers utilise powerful language to inspire change towards an inclusive society, which can be seen when Oodgeroo utilises a powerful mood change through …show more content…
This quote changes mood of the poem, by turning the focus of the poem from the negative ideas, such as rape, murder and cruelty of the world, which would ultimately destroy his innocence as well as enhance his hurt feelings. To the positives, she is going to tell him instead, which will allow him to see the world in a fresh light, until he grows up and discovers the prejudice of the world on his own accord, which ultimately allows the son to remain a child for as long as possible. Noonuccal’s quote shows how through a simple selection of words negative ideas that surround prejudice can be transformed into positive ideas to eliminate prejudice in the world. Through the sibilance demonstrated in the simile, “Your black skin as soft as velvet shine” Oodgeroo explains her son’s innocence, and the reasoning behind why she is attempting to shield him from the prejudice of the world. This comparison insinuates that the child is soft and vulnerable and that the mother wants to keep his ‘skin’ as soft as possible, in other words, she wishes to maintain his innocence. It also explains why the child is facing the issue