The Persistence of Stereotyping-.com

Question: Discuss howstereotypes regarding Indigenous Australians circulate in a particular public space or institutional site and consider how suchrepresentations reproduce inequality. Answer: Introduction: Even though the Indigenous and Aboriginal people of Australia share a rich contribution in the development of complicated history of Australia, it can be seen that the existence of certain prejudices and stereotypes cannot be ignored. While the judicial structure of Australia advocates equal treatment of aboriginal and non-aboriginal citizens; if certain evidences are taken into consideration, it can be observed that underlying inequality is persistent (Sharifian, 2014). Hence, in this specific assignment, the unequal treatment of the aboriginal and indigenous Australians by the legal structure will be explained by focusing on the role of stereotypes that enhances the generation of inequality faced by the aboriginals. Analysis: It can be considered as a long running view that racial discrimination in the judicial system is prevalent. It has been a popular topic of discussion that the indigenous individuals are subjected to unfair sentence due to the underlying racism and prejudiced stereotypes held by the members of judicial systems (Bennett, 2014). The inference has been derived on the basis of the research which was conducted by the University of Technology in Sydney (Hollinsworth, 2016). On the basis of the interview of judicial officers and lawyers in New South Wales and Victoria, it was observed that the officers and the judicial members are driven by certain stereotypes that direct their decisions. It is considered that the individuals belonging from the indigenous communities are more likely to get engaged in offences like drug dealing and other regressive activities (Gibbons, 2014). Hence, irrespective of the fact that the legal framework of the Australian judiciary stating equal treatment, the biasness in the decisions of the judges and their attitudes towards the indigenous community is different from that of the non-indigenous people, who are considered to be more civilized and cultured. It can be said that one of the major reasons behind the existing stereotype is the cultural differences prevalent. By taking evidences into consideration, it can be seen that the important positions in the legal systems are generally held by individuals coming from the non aboriginal communities (Rudin, 2016). One of the major reasons behind the same can considered to be the lack of appropriate educational opportunities for the communities. While certain rate of literacy is required to hold high ranks in the legislative systems, it can be seen that the percentage of the aboriginal adults considered to be functionally illiterate is as high as 45-60% (Bielefeld, 2014). Hence, the lack of deeper understanding of the cultures prevalent in the aboriginal and indigenous communities is one of the major contributors towards the stereotypical conceptions of the officials and decision makers in the judicial sector (Short, 2016). The issues in the community are not appropriately understood by the judges and prosecutors that work against the aboriginals. Due to the stereotypes regarding their upbringings, they remain a neglected part of the society, leading to increasing amount of alienation from their side (Hollinsworth, 2016). Hence, it can be said that the gap among the decision of judicial structure regarding the indigenous and non-indigenous remain stagnant. On the basis of the records of Castan Centre for Human Rights Law, it can be seen that despite being only 3% of the total population of Australia, the prison population of the indigenous communities comprise almost a quarter of the total prison population (Rudin, 2016). It can be assumed that the unfair treatment and sentence of the individuals is one of the major reasons behind this stark contrast. Hence, it can be said that the stereotypes prevalent regarding the Indigenous and Aboriginal communities are one of the major reasons behind the discrimination in the judicial systems in Australia. Conclusion: The evidences reflect that the stereotypes relating to the indigenous people contribute towards the inequality in legal systems. In order to ensure that the same is kept in check, an in-depth knowledge regarding the cultures as such can be helpful. Thus, the existing gaps can be properly tackled. Reference List: Bennett, B., 2014. How do light-skinned Aboriginal Australians experience racism?: Implications for social work.AlterNative: An International Journal of Indigenous Peoples,10(2), pp.180-192. Bielefeld, S., 2014. Compulsory income management and Indigenous Australians: Delivering social justice or furthering colonial domination?.Browser Download This Paper. Gibbons, J., 2014.Language and the Law. Routledge. Hollinsworth, D., 2016. Unsettling Australian settler supremacy: combating resistance in university Aboriginal studies.Race ethnicity and education,19(2), pp.412-432. Rudin, J., 2016. Aboriginal peoples and the criminal justice system. Sharifian, F., 2014. Conceptual metaphor in intercultural communication between speakers of Aboriginal English and Australian English.Metaphor and intercultural communication, pp.117-129. Short, D., 2016.Reconciliation and colonial power: Indigenous rights in Australia. Routledge.