Reconciliation: how to improve police relations

While blackfella's experiences of police have been less than ideal in many cases, writer Nayuka Gorrie hopes to foster better relationships between the two, and themed uniforms is just the beginning.

This proposed five-point reconciliation action plan between police and 'blackfellas' will keep you informed and even entertained. Source: Getty Images AsiaPac

Unless you have been living under a rock, you might have noticed that relationships between the police and mob are not exactly great...

It’s hard to pinpoint the exact moment the relationship got bad. It could have been when - because there was no military conquest - the police acted on the state’s behalf, aiding in our dispossession. Or those times they helped the state take our children, leaving trauma in their wake. Or it might just be that they won’t stop (can’t stop) killing us.

Sure, it could be racism, brutality and the criminalisation of black people or it might just be really bad marketing by the police.

Whatever is it, as a proud Aboriginal woman, I am here to help the police with their image problem (thank me later!). For your consideration, a five point reconciliation action plan.

Aboriginal flag police shirts

Police officers dressed in Aboriginal printed uniform. Credit: Channel 7 Source: Seven Network

I know WA police had tried their best to foster positive relationships with their new Aboriginal-themed shirts, but arguably it didn't go far enough. A few pretty dots on a shirt only disguises blood splatter. I’m calling for a straight up flag t-shirt. It’ll make you feel plenty safe when you are getting arrested, and during rallies, you won't know who is a protester and who is police, which is reconciliation in action.

Protest against forced closure of Aboriginal Communities Source: Anadolu

More native food

I mean, when hasn’t some lilly pilly jam brought people together? What can’t be solved over some lemon myrtle tea? At the very least, a cultural cuppa, it would make a tasty additions to your time in the watch house, which will be a welcome distraction from the fact you are being denied legal representation.

Source: AAP

Learn more language

Australia has the highest language extinction rate in the world. Here, I say kill two birds with one stone and teach those who “protect” and “serve” some lingo. That way when they call you an epithet you’ll understand them better. How deadly!

Do a rap video together

Source: Giphy

The kids love the hippity-hoppity. They love to get down to those funky beats. Dre knows it. Kendrick knows it. Sure so much hip hop was spawned out of distrust of and mistreatment from the police, NWA gave us a song called, “Fuck tha police,” and Public Enemy gave us, “911 is a joke,” KRS One gave us, “Sound of the Police,” but that’s nothing a little appropriation can’t fix. A simple workshop at the PCYC and a go pro later...

Source: NITV News

Black people be nicer to the police

All of the above solutions put the onus on the police. But relationships are a two-way street, baby. As the old saying goes, “you catch more flies with honey.” Have black people just tried being nicer to the police?

Source: NITV News

*This is content is satire. Like the article? Follow the author @NayukaGorrie