ABORIGINAL CHARTER OF RIGHTS
(Oodgeroo Noonuccal)

WE WANT HOPE, NOT RACIALISM
BROTHERHOOD, NOT OSTRACISM,
Black ADVANCE, not white ascendant;
Make us equals, not dependents.
We need help, not exploitation.
We want FREEDOM, NOT frustration;
Not control, but self-reliance.
Independence, not compliance.
Not rebuff, but education.
Self-respect, not resignation.
Free us from a mean subjugation.
From a bureaucratic protection.
Let's forget the old time slavers;
Give us fellowship, not favours;
Encouragement not prohibitions.
Homes, not settlements and missions.
We need love not over-lordship,
Grip of hand, not whip-hand wardship:
Opportunity that places
White and black on equal basis.
You dishearten, not defend us,
Circumscribe, who should befriend us.
Give us welcome, not aversion.
Give us choice not cold coercion,
Status, not discrimination.
HUMAN RIGHTS, not segregation.
You the law, like Roman Pontius,
Make us proud, not colour-conscious:
GIVE THE DEAL YOU STILL DENY US,
Give good will not bigot bias;
Give ambition, not prevention.
Confidence not condescension
Give incentive, not restriction.
Give us Christ, not crucifixion.
Though baptized and blessed and Bibled
We are still taboo and libeled.
You devout salvation sellers.
Make us neighbours, not fringe-dwellers:
Make us mates not poor relations,
Citizens not serfs on stations.
Must we native Old Australians
In our own land rank as aliens?
Banish bans and conquer caste,
Then we'll win our own at last.