1. Working to extinguish the flame Dr Anthony Dillon Anthony.Dillon@acu.edu.au Institute for Positive Psychology and Education Australian Catholic University Ph 0403 362 696 March 2016

2. Contents Changing our perspectives (we do things differently when we see things differently) What is positive psychology, and what is its relevance here? Is abuse the problem or the symptom of deeper problem? What are the underlying causes of abuse? What is a solution? What are the challenges?

3. Starting point But to the Aboriginal mind there is no such thing as an insoluble problem (Waipuldanya)

4. Key principle 1 There are a thousand hacking at the branches of evil to one who is striking at the root (Thoreau)

6. We see the world not as it is, but as we are As soon as we begin to store and organise our conclusions about the world, we create an in- built tendency to look at the world in a way which will reinforce those conclusions. Our interpretation of events tends to confirm the perspective from which they are observed. (Hugh Mackay, 1994)

7. Is a theory of human well-being and potential Provides a fresh (yet old) set of assumptions for understanding human nature Is concerned with human strengths such as self- compassion, self-worth, meaning, purpose, optimism, hope, resilience Sees people with difficulties/problems as having faulty beliefs and unmet needs, and making wrong choices, as opposed to being ‘broken’ or ‘defective’ When fundamental needs are met, people flourish Restores balance to the discipline of pscyhology Positive psychology (PP)

8. Key principle 2 The barriers to black progress … are clearly as much psychological as they are social or economic (Shelby Steele, 1991)

9. Key principle 2 The barriers to black progress … are clearly as much psychological as they are social or economic (Shelby Steele, 1991) An effective solution to solving the problem of abuse will therefore adopt an holistic view of life and be able to address both the economic and psychological needs of people

10. Would people engage in abuse of others if they, Genuinely felt good about themselves? Recognised that we are connected to each other? Had meaning or a sense of purpose in their lives? Had dealt with their own sense of guilt? Felt safe, secure, and loved by others? Saw themselves as responsible human beings?

11. Key principle 3 All a person ever does is either an act of love or a call for love (Buddhist expression)

12. Unconditional positive self-regard Our interpersonal problems begin with intrapersonal conflicts (Powell, 1987). It is a fundamental truism that our attitudes towards others are conditioned by our fundamental attitudes toward ourselves (Powell, 1987). A man cannot possibly be at peace with others until he has learned to be at peace with himself (Bertrand Russell).

13. When people lack unconditional positive self-regard … When we examine anger, hatred, envy, jealousy, pride and prejudice - or any negative emotions or passions - we often discover that at their root lies the desire to be accepted by, approved of, and esteemed by others. (Covey, 1989) Failure to be at ease with ourselves leads to unresolved internal conflict, which easily manifests as external conflict - abuse.

14. Key principle 4 Work is not just about the money … it is about status and respect, about responsibility and dignity. (Alison Anderson, 2013)

15. Key principle 4 Work is not just about the money … it is about status and respect, about responsibility and dignity. (Alison Anderson, 2013) The barriers to black progress … are clearly as much psychological as they are social or economic

16. Social stability requires that people embrace the idea of contributing to their communities (Mundine, 2013) In our world we hunted with success or we did not eat, we exchanged gifts with friends so that these friends would respond with gifts that we valued … We laboured every day (Galarrwuy Yunupingu, 2011) Work is about growing up and not being a child any more, about becoming an adult, so that children, real children, can depend on you (Alison Anderson, 2013) For one to be considered optimally functioning in society, one must also contribute meaningfully to society (Vallerand & Carbonneau, 2013) Work

17. Provides an opportunity to do good for others Helps promote self-discipline and commitment Provides an opportunity to contribute to the society in which one lives Provides an opportunity for life-long learning We become good role models for the younger generation Benefits of work

18. Work gives us something to do, something that proves we are useful (Hugh Mackay, 2010) Work is a source of social relationships, identity in society, and individual self-esteem (Winkelmann & Winkelmann, 2013) Work has ‘second round benefits’: improved mental and physical health, improved children’s developmental outcomes, and higher rates of home ownership (Gray, Hunter, & Biddle, 2014). Benefits of work, continued

19. Would people engage in abuse of others if they, Genuinely felt good about themselves? Recognised that we are connected to each other? Had meaning or a sense of purpose in their lives? Had dealt with their own sense of guilt? Felt safe, secure, and loved by others? Saw themselves as responsible human beings? Could having a job address these?

20. Lack of private property ownership Not being job ready or prepared Substandard education Equating employment with assimilation Over reliance on ‘Indigenised jobs’ Living in locations where few job opportunities exist Attitude of “people can’t change” Blaming the past Barriers

21. Key principle 5 In trying to extinguish a flame, it is generally more useful to understand what keeps the flame going (what is its oxygen and who keeps fanning it?) than what started the flame.

22. Key principle 5 In trying to extinguish a flame, it is generally more useful to understand what keeps the flame going (what is its oxygen and who keeps fanning it?) than what started the flame. The flame can only be extinguished now, we can never ‘unstart’ the flame.

23. What about the Past?

24. Indigenous Australians can “overcome the burdens of history and recent welfare dependence and dysfunction to become a prosperous yet distinctly Indigenous people whose children can walk in two worlds and enjoy the best of both (Pearson, 2012). Whilst history has no doubt dealt Indigenous people a questionable hand, there is no need to wallow in it such that it cripples us from acting and creating better present and futures for our communities … It is time we moved beyond the victim, as indeed many have done so already (Sarra, 2010). Some Thoughts on the Past

25. Duran and Duran (1995), when discussing Native American postcolonial psychology, have suggested that historical trauma is passed on by the same mechanisms by which culture is generally carried forth from one generation to the next. However, cultures change and bad aspects, or aspects that may have at one time served a purpose, can fade away or be discontinued or modified as required.

26. Some Thoughts on the Past Duran and Duran (1995), when discussing Native American postcolonial psychology, have suggested that historical trauma is passed on by the same mechanisms by which culture is generally carried forth from one generation to the next. However, cultures change and bad aspects, or aspects that may have at one time served a purpose, can fade away or be discontinued or modified as required. Therefore, it is not a given that the deleterious effects of a past traumatic event need to be passed from one generation to the next. Indeed, many thousands of inspiring Aboriginal people have shown this to be true.

27. What matters most is not what the past does to you (because it can't do anything), but what you do with the past. You can either make it a stepping stone or a stumbling block. While the past is clearly relevant, humans have the unique capacity to analyse situations and to adapt, evolve, and prosper. It is perhaps more correct to say that trauma in one generation provides an opportunity for response in the next generation, where that response can either be adaptive or maladaptive. We are never victims of the past, but only ever victims of our view of the past. Putting the past in perspective

28. Choices

29. Key principle 6 People (both Aboriginal and non- Aboriginal) who keep making excuses and justifying poor behavior rarely aspire to worthwhile goals in life (Col Dillon)

30. Key principles There are a thousand hacking at the branches of evil to one who is striking at the root (Thoreau). The barriers to black progress in America today are clearly as much psychological as they are social or economic (Steele, 1991). All a person ever does is either an act of love or a call for love (Buddhist expression). Work is not just about the money … it is about status and respect, about responsibility and dignity (Anderson, 2013). In trying to extinguish a flame, it is generally more useful to understand what keeps the flame going (what is its oxygen?) than what started the flame. The flame can only be extinguished now, we can not ‘unstart’ the flame. We are never victims of the past but only ever victims of our view of the past People (both Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal) who keep making excuses and justifying poor behavior rarely aspire to worthwhile goals in life (Dillon, 2016)

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