In August 1961, the documentary television program, Four Corners, made its debut. One of the first episodes, Box Ridge, is an investigative journalism piece that takes reporting to the unknown and underrepresented area of the Box Ridge Aboriginal Reserve, in hopes to make Box Ridge widely acknowledged and be a new representation for the Aboriginal community. Reported by Michael Charlton, a non-indigenous man, the film is reflective of the deplorable conditions the Aboriginal community endured during this dishonorable piece of Australian history.
Set in 1961, the Box Ridge episode aired prior to the 1967 Referendum and displayed issues with relevance to the laws at the time. The 1960’s were a time where Aborigines had trouble in the job market, …show more content…
Indigenous health issues are due to decades of neglect, lack of effective policy and failure to provide resources (Aboriginal Health 2018). Specifically, Box Ridge was an overcrowded land with harsh living conditions which led to the Aboriginal community’s minimal understanding of proper hygiene. There was no running water, electricity, or proper housing. For instance, one woman responds in the film that there are only two showers for the entire community of over a hundred people on the reserve. Due to improper hygiene and conditions, there are constant outbreaks of disease throughout the reserve. For both adults and children, there are high rates of influenza and gingivitis. Due to my personal discipline in health studies and global health, I contend that the reserve conditions and lack of health services are heedless. Proper hygiene can be achieved through a very basic routine of cleanliness, which would at length reduce bacterial and viral outbreak. The implementation of vaccines would also have attributed to better health. Specifically, the influenza vaccine, which was available at the …show more content…
The method of asking white Australian’s and Aboriginal people the same questions, with a consistent agreement between both parties, shows viewers these issues are fundamental. Phrases such as “There is no color bar” said by both indigenous and non-indigenous people during the interview show a pioneering movement occurring in the town due to an agreement that the conditions are deplorable. With a clear consensus emanating through the television screen, there is an even clearer need for
Set in 1961, the Box Ridge episode aired prior to the 1967 Referendum and displayed issues with relevance to the laws at the time. The 1960’s were a time where Aborigines had trouble in the job market, …show more content…
Indigenous health issues are due to decades of neglect, lack of effective policy and failure to provide resources (Aboriginal Health 2018). Specifically, Box Ridge was an overcrowded land with harsh living conditions which led to the Aboriginal community’s minimal understanding of proper hygiene. There was no running water, electricity, or proper housing. For instance, one woman responds in the film that there are only two showers for the entire community of over a hundred people on the reserve. Due to improper hygiene and conditions, there are constant outbreaks of disease throughout the reserve. For both adults and children, there are high rates of influenza and gingivitis. Due to my personal discipline in health studies and global health, I contend that the reserve conditions and lack of health services are heedless. Proper hygiene can be achieved through a very basic routine of cleanliness, which would at length reduce bacterial and viral outbreak. The implementation of vaccines would also have attributed to better health. Specifically, the influenza vaccine, which was available at the …show more content…
The method of asking white Australian’s and Aboriginal people the same questions, with a consistent agreement between both parties, shows viewers these issues are fundamental. Phrases such as “There is no color bar” said by both indigenous and non-indigenous people during the interview show a pioneering movement occurring in the town due to an agreement that the conditions are deplorable. With a clear consensus emanating through the television screen, there is an even clearer need for