Rob Riley

An Aboriginal Leader's Quest for Justice

By: Quentin Beresford

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Paperback | 1 May 2006

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320 Pages

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23.2 x 15.5 x 2.6

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Widely regarded as one of the great Aboriginal leaders of the modern era, Rob Riley was at the centre of debates that have polarised views on race relations in Australia: national land rights, the treaty, deaths in custody, self-determination, the justice system, native title and the Stolen Generations. He tragically took his own life in 1996, weighed down by the unresolved traumas of his exposure to institutionalisation, segregation and racism, and his sense of betrayal by the Australian political system to deliver justice to Aboriginal people. His death shocked community leaders and ordinary citizens alike. Set against the tumultuous background of racial politics in an unreconciled nation, the book explores Rob''s rise and influence as an Aboriginal activist. Drawing on perspectives from history, politics and psychology, this work explores Rob''s life as a ''moral protester'' and the challenges he confronted in trying to change the destiny of a nation. Rob Riley''s belief that he had failed in this quest raises profound questions about the legacy of past racial policies, the extent of institutionalised racism in Australia and the reluctance of Australia''s politicians to show leadership on race. Much of Riley''s life was a triumph of the human spirit against great adversity, and this legacy remains.

Industry Reviews

"In this detailed and delicate biography, Quentin Beresford tells a story of triumph and of tragedy. I cannot think of a finer introduction to Aboriginal politics in the contemporary era. I urge all Australian citizens who care about reconciliation to read it." --Robert Manne, professor of politics, La Trobe University
"The life portrayed in these pages will above all else challenge our capacity to look into this blighted page of our history and to deal with and understand the nature of our national racist cancer." --Patrick Dodson, winnter, 2008 Sydney Peace Prize

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You Can Find This Book In

Non-Fiction Sociology & Anthropology Anthropology Social & Cultural Anthropology, Ethnography Society & Culture Social Groups Ethnic Studies Indigenous Peoples Biographies & True Stories Biographies Historical, Political and Military Biographies Physical Anthropology

History Regional & National History Australasian & Pacific History

Introduction
Prisoners of Racism: The History of Rob Riley's Family
Bound for Assimilation: A Childhood at Sister Kate's
Life at the Margins: Growing up Aboriginal
Apprenticeship: Joining the Aboriginal Legal Service
Noonkanbah: The Struggle for Heritage
A Bigger Stage: The National Aboriginal Conference
Betrayal: The Demise of National Land Rights
Enemies Within: The End of the National Aboriginal Conference
At the Cutting Edge: Political Battles in Canberra
War on All Fronts: Return to the Aboriginal Legal Service
Mounting Despair: The Final Campaigns
Index
Table of Contents provided by Publisher. All Rights Reserved.

Rob Riley

An Aboriginal Leader's Quest for Justice

At a Glance

Paperback

Industry Reviews

Shipping

How to return your order

Defective items

You Can Find This Book In

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