Chapters (21)
Work
Work
Tuesday, 2.15pm
Taralune High School, Library Room L4
| Sue: | What’s happening? |
| Rob: | Next week I’m working, no school. |
| Sue: | Well, you’d be happy with that. |
| Rob: | Rather be at school. |
| Sue: | That’s a turnaround. |
| Rob: | I looked up the word nigger. |
| I get what you’re saying. But … | |
| Nig’s twelve. He knows his name. I can’t change it now. | |
| Sue: | Yeah, I thought about that. |
| Rob: | And guess what? |
| Trev’s Aboriginal aunty hates the word blackfella. She says it’s not a nice name. | |
| So, I was thinking … when you say the word blackfella, it’s the same as blacks in America using the name nigger. | |
| Sue: | I see your point. |
| Rob: | You don’t have a problem with the word blackfella? |
| Sue: | Nope … but I do have a problem with the word blackie. |
| Rob: | Why? They’re almost the same. |
| Sue: | I’ve heard the word blackie used disrespectfully. |
| Rob: | They were being derogatory? |
| Do you know people who don’t like the word blackfella? | |
| Sue: | Yep … and he’s white. |
| I knew a guy nicknamed Nigger. He was always kind and generous, a real good bloke. | |
| Rob: | So, he’s a blackfella? |
| Sue: | Nah, white. |
| Rob: | This is real confusing, Miss. |
| Sue: | I agree. |
| For me, saying blackfella and whitefella is a simple way of stating the obvious. You’re fair in skin colour and I’m darker. | |
| Rob: | So, it’s about how it’s said … |
| Or how someone used it in the past. | |
| Sue: | Yep. Any word can be delivered with either vinegar or sugar. |
| Rob: | But that’s what I was saying, Miss. The word nigga is said with sugar. |
| Sue: | Doesn’t matter if you say |
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| The word has a history and its history isn’t sweet. | |
| Rob: | You know … I thought Dave liked Nig. |
| Sue: | I’m sure he does. He probably just picked the name without thinking any different. |
| Rob: | Nah. |
| It’s because of Shaz. | |
| Sue: | What do you mean? |
| Rob: | He calls her a Mussi. |
| A sand nigger. | |
| Sue: | She’s Muslim? |
| Rob: | Poppie’s family were Afghani, they looked after the camels out west. |
| But, nah! She’s not Muslim. |
Benny Boy
| Name: | Benny Boy Conway |
| Age: | 15 |
| Year: | 5 |
| Pets: | Ramsi (dog) |
| Narri (bird) | |
| Nan: | Nan (Evelyn Agnes Draper) |
| Sister: | Mel (Mellisa Agnes Draper) |
Benny Boy
Benny Boy
Wednesday, 10am
St Nicholas Lutheran College, Taralune, Room 5A