Writer's Choice (timed writing essay)

TIMED WRITING

Michelle Forrest

The movie, The Rabbit-proof Fence, directed by Philip Noyce, provided us an excellent look at the boundaries created within society. The many struggles of a society's 'outsider' are clearly represented in this true story of aboriginal 'half-caste' children. The film defines an outsider by the shade of his or her skin.

The white people of government in Western Australia during the time of the events depicted in this movie (1931) had given authority to Mr. A.O. Neville, to remove any half-caste child from his or her family from anywhere in the state. The reasoning behind this decision and control of native aborigine people was based on the fear that a third race, neither white or black, would emerge. The white government felt strongly that these children, once the blood was mixed, needed to have the color 'stamped out' with continued white breeding. We see this concern evidenced by Neville's comment, "The problem of half-caste won't simply go away. These children are that problem and if we don't deal with it now, it will just fester."

The lack of dignity and control of their persons shown toward the children who had been torn from their homes and families was evident throughout the film. Then once taken, the children were brought to a camp where they were to be absorbed into into the white way of living, thinking, talking and behaving. There they were trained for service, all for the low, low price of their identity and sense of community. The perspective of the government was that, "In spite of himself, the native must be helped." (Neville).

This film depicted the effects these kidnappings had on the children's sense of identity as they find themselves in a place where they have not only been torn from the the love and foundation they have known their entire lives but are then unable to express their own identity or even have the freedom to pursue who they are. Particularly interesting, was the different responses to this stifling of self. After a short time at the settlement, Molly (our very strong hero), who ultimately escapes, is quoted saying, "These people make me sick". She was angered by how unjust it was to be so treated and oppressed. Her cousin Grace, who seemed to have a much more compliant personality said, "We like it here." Undoubtedly, her fear rose above her need for self.

This movie affirmed my perceptions of what it is to be an outsider in the sense that when there is blatant exclusion and oppression toward a person or group of people, there is damage to identity and the human need for dignity. This can be seen from the events depicted in this movie in that the 'stolen children' of this society still suffer from destruction to identity, family life and culture today. It challenged my perceptions in realizing the level of ego and arrogance that can be involved in this process as seen in Neville's comment "if only these people could understand what we are trying to do for them". I had not considered before that there was anything but the need for control driving such oppression.

Works cited

_Rabbit-proof Fence._ Dir.Phillip Noyce. Perf. Everlyn Sampi.

Rumbalara Films, Australian Film Commission, AFFC, Lotteries

Commission of Western Australia, Olsen Levy, Showtime