UNSW students and staff support teaching the true history of Australia

Students and staff at UNSW overwhelmingly support the teaching of Australian history as “invasion” rather than “settlement”, according to student activists.

About 50 students attended a speak-out on campus on 7 April to present an open letter signed by more than 1,000 students who endorse the use of the word “invasion” in classes and teaching materials.

“Invasion not settlement” and “Always was, always will be Aboriginal land” banners were displayed at the event.

The action came in response to negative coverage in the Daily Telegraph and other media outlets of UNSW’s Diversity Toolkit.

“It does not surprise me that people like Keith Windschuttle oppose the term ‘invasion’ and shock jocks like Alan Jones and Kyle Sandilands have said the toolkit will ‘divide society’”, Bridget Cama, UNSW Student Representative Council Indigenous Officer, told Red Flag. “The problem is our society is already divided. You only have to look at gap between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians to know this.

“It is time that the education system rid itself of white homogenous history books, teachings and terminology. It is time for the real, true and terrorising history of this nation to be told. The Diversity Toolkit has the potential to make real change for the true history of Australia to be taught and is something more universities and education providers should be adopting,” she said.