‘White Men are Liars’ – another look at Aboriginal-Western interactions

Abstract

Liars? Such a title is hardly designed to make 'Whites' read this booklet. However, those with sufficient curiosity to investigate further will find an explanation for the statement that is mind-blowing -one of those 'ah ha' experiences that change the way one understands the world. In this case 'the world' is 'cross-cultural dealings that involve traditional Aboriginals, that is, people for whom an indigenous language is their first language and who may well live on a remote community' (p. vii), and 'Whites'. Bain draws on her linguistic and anthropological training to analyse the Aboriginal perception that White Men are liars. Her thesis is presented in a small, concise and inexpensive booklet that belies its academic authority and its significance to cross-cultural interactions in contemporary Australia.