Rodney Liddell is a famous and highly regarded author in Queensland, Australia. His popular book "Savage Frontier" attacks Indigenous identity and claim to the land.
Interview
I've met this man, this Rodney Liddell. He had a display set up in the Weipa caravan park for his book "Savage Frontier", proudly proclaiming that he was exposing the media coverup of the "truth" about Aboriginal people. Coverup? As far as I know, the media denigrates my people, accusing us of laziness, freeloading, violence, abuse and treason. But he seems to think this is too generous, and that the media is painting a rosy picture of Aborigines.
His book has been displayed prominently in most stores and businesses in Weipa. When I asked him about the popularity of his book, he explained that it was due to the fact that he had "the guts to say what we're all thinking." He sees himself as a lone crusader fighting an evil government and media that is trying to destroy the "white race" and elevate the "blacks". It's hard for me even to type this outrageous drivel.
Conspiracy Theory
Reading his text is an agonising experience. He rants about cannibalism and head-hunting, and recounts with vicarious glee and great detail the "massacres" of white people by Aborigines during the invasion wars (sorry - peaceful settlement, according to him). He also states that Indigenous rock art and archaelogical finds are all hoaxes, planted as part of a government conspiracy to socially disadvantage white people.
Mixed Messages
The front cover features a skull with a bullet hole in it. Strange, considering his claim that the "blacks" were the savage murderers during "settlement". So why the bullet hole? (surely European military technology?) The skull could only be that of a slain Aborigine, in the historical context he is exploring. But how does that fit with his portrayal of the Aborigine as aggressor? Perhaps he is he trying to indicate his preferred "final solution"?
Shamefully Popular
It seems outrageous, but his book is very popular. Like I said, it is proudly displayed in many businesses and shops in North Queensland. To find out more about the proliferation of racism among the Australian public, ie. "what we're all thinking", check out my article "Bumper Sticker Rage".
