To Howard on Assimilation

John Howard’s recent comment that assimilation is the only way for indigenous people to survive is profoundly hypocritical and culturally parsimonious. If the precarious minority must be absorbed by the larger, more successful community, why didn’t this happen in the late eighteenth century? Howard's vision is really one of social Darwinism, betraying a consistent failure to engage with and appreciate indigenous culture. And if all of our migrant populations had been assimilated, Australia would now be one of the most dreary, monotonal outposts on the planet. I can’t imagine Australia without the markets, the accents, the rich palette of colours and flavours. Why shouldn’t indigenous culture be included in our internationally celebrated eclecticism?