Seeing Whiteness
– notes from participants Chiara and Kit at Guest Dinner 19 June, 2025
We were honored to have Veronica (Vonnie) Pinniger give a talk on ‘Seeing Whiteness’, a way of focusing on the way Indigenous people and perspectives have been subjugated, in the face of what is commonly felt to be the ‘normal’ condition of being white. She shared her broad thinking and research on the ‘construction’ of whiteness and the damage – political, social and personal – that it causes.
5 main points came across:
- The importance of ‘positioning’, that is revealing our own background and situation in society when interacting with the world. There is no ‘neutral’; Whiteness is framed that way, but carries privilege, dominance. She spoke of the ‘wheel of power’ that shows the many dimensions of our lives (called intersectionality). Identity is connected to positioning, as it refers to dimensions that are mental, cultural and spiritual – how do we relate to country, waters, human and more-than-human knowledges.
Positioning connects us to our ways of knowing; frames how we see the world. No-one is neutral. Those in a position of privilege don’t listen well; Vonnie pointed out that ‘left-leaning’ views are often accompanied by attempts to help, that are actually the opposite; because they are not responsive, they are an imposition.
The attached article throws light on race privilege, “Whiteness” an article Jenny Tannock-Bland, an non-indigenous academic.
- Framing ‘Good’. We need to critically reflect on our intentions and how they are understood. Good intentions, ‘being good’ can cause damage.
Protectionism sounds to have a positive intent, but not if it is directed by white control, based on a world view of ‘terra nullius’ and the subsequent action of taking children from their families. ‘Whites know better’ is the underlying driver of colonisation and the devastation of indigenous people, their country and cultures.
Saviourism is premised on knowing what is right for others, preventing and directing, rather than assisting.
- Conservation – of forests….protecting them according to white views about management. And conserving cultural artefacts in art galleries and museums obscures the living function and changeable nature of these items, created in particular contexts.
- Closing the gap. The measures used to show different states of wellbeing between aboriginal and non-aboriginal members of the society are in themselves a demonstration of white supremacy. They do not reflect indigenous values.
- What we can do
Turn up, take part, listen. Get up, show up, stand up
Know there is diversity among indigenous groups
Take pressure off First Nations people having to do the work – ever since 1788. Seek indigenous voices
Read, listen to Koori radio, attend events led by Indigenous people, watch NITV and other TV programs and films.
Write to MPs about Aboriginal Deaths in custody and the recommendations of the Royal Commission (of the 1990s)
Learn languages, it makes a big difference.
Watch your own language. Note ‘white’ words like Savage, Sustainability, Freedom, Rich/Poor.
Notice Whiteness claiming universal ways of knowing. The Western lens of ‘we know more’ puts indigenous people in the position of having to fight to be heard.
Building our knowledge brings safety to the Other.
Authors and books
Stan Grant The Song of Time book
Tyson Yunkaporta Sand Talk and …., words arranged in different ways
Talking up to the White Woman
“Whiteness” article Jenny Tannock-Bland
White tears, brown scars…white fragility at the expense of black justice
Rosalie Kunoth-monks Video
Morten-Robinson – subject dominance
Milroy + Milroy x 3
Amy McQuire
Irene Watson
Emma Kowal
Chelsea Warm Waters
Lisa Bellear feelings Lisa Blair poem?
Heartsick for country
