It is often argued that while state rhetoric may be inclusionary, policies and practices may be exclusionary. This can im-ply that the power to include rests only with the state. In some ways, the implication is valid in respect of Aboriginal Australians. For instance, the Australian state has gained control of Aboriginal inclusion via a singular, bounded catego-ry and Aboriginal ideal type. However, the implication is also limited in their respect. Aborigines are abject but also agents in their relationship with the wider society. Their politics contributes to the construction of the very category and type that governs them, and presses individuals to resist state inclusionary efforts. Aboriginal political elites police the performance of an Aboriginality dominated by notions of difference and resistance. The combined processes of governance act to deny Aborigines the potential of being both Aboriginal and Australian, being different and belonging. They maintain Aborigines’ marginality.
History
Publication title
Social Inclusion
Pagination
124-135
ISSN
2183-2803
Department/School
School of Humanities
Publisher
Cogitatio Press
Place of publication
Portugal
Rights statement
This article is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (CC BY) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
Repository Status
Open
Socio-economic Objectives
Other culture and society not elsewhere classified