Reviews

Short Black 6: Booze Territory by Anna Krien

lulu05's review

3.0

This felt like an explanation not offering much in regards to solutions but rather what is happening in the top end. I lived in a dry community for years while my mum and step-dad ran the local clinic. I saw the children who had alcohol-fetal syndrome. I would have loved if Anna drove deeper into the history of booze and how it was used against Aboriginals; it provides context and the impact of generational trauma. Now that the alcohol laws have been removed recently. It makes you wonder what the outcome will be? I often felt that while living in the dry community it felt like a get rich quick scheme when whitefellas would go and run the local shop; charging ridiculous prices for fresh(ish) food, while coke and other unhealthy foods were cheaper. The problem in my mind lies in that white governments are not listening to the voices of elders and their communities. Such a rich diverse culture is dying out due to historical colonialism and new forms of neocolonialism.

This short essay paints the picture, hoping those that read it will dig deeper and learn more regarding this issue.

theconstantreader's review

3.0

This essay got me thinking about what are the best incentives for human behaviour to change. Would taxes curb alcohol abuse or would education? While Krien reflects specifically on the Indigenous communities in the Northern Territory of Australia's relationship with alcohol, the overarching concepts seem applicable all round.

Specifically on the subject of alcohol's impact on Indigenous communities though, Krien does a good job of outlining the complexities, outlining "the ramifications of entangling drinking rights with equal rights." What a sensitive and complex issue. I finished this essay with no more answers but curious to see whether alcohol will follow in the footsteps of nicotine. Can we save ourselves yet?