Inequality In The Film 'Yolngu Boy'

Current Australian culture boasts its diverse equality in a time of multiculturalism across the country building a large minority of citizens. But many contradictions to this exist in the law and in communities. A large issue is the inequality thrust upon indigenous youth in Australia, being some of the last living descendants of the original citizens of this nation, it seems logical that they would receive the same treatment as every other citizen of Australia let alone the tools needed to continue to build and thrive as a people. Damage is being done to the history of aboriginal culture and the country itself as it is implemented as compulsory education in very few schools across the country, leading to indigenous teenagers being misunderstood …show more content…
Teenage boys experience a large sum of influence by western culture, predominantly early drug and alcohol abuse. Portrayed in ‘Yolngu Boy’ by Sean Mununggurr, the character Botj experiences the influence of western culture in the form of gasoline. Sniffing gasoline for a high is an extremely dangerous practice leading to health problems and high possibility of addiction. Although not illegal to buy, a majority of Australian states have implemented laws making the misuse of petroleum illegal. But maybe making it illegal isn’t the right course of action. Maybe treating it as a cultural stereotype isn’t the right course of action. Logically the popularity of gasoline sniffing stemmed from availability and convenience in most cities and small communities. The risk of addiction is very high, just as most illegal substances are, therefore resources must be put in place just as there are for drug addiction to help treat and improve the health of people suffering from overwhelming addiction. Funding to improve medical facilities in small communities making it more affordable and readily available to people may greatly reduce the impact of addiction on indigenous teenagers, adults and