Once spoken, never forgotten
06.12.2003
Language is such a powerful tool that when somebody uses it well, it is something you remember
SOME years ago, several members of the Queensland press gallery accompanied Premier Peter Beattie on the government jet to a function in north Queensland.
Beattie's seat is closest to the compact kitchen, and it is usual for him to act as the host and pass around the light refreshments.
On this occasion he asked each of us what we wanted to drink, eventually getting to the then political editor for Channel 7, Mike D'Arcy.
``Coffee or tea, D'Arcy,'' Beattie inquired.
``Tea for me. If I have coffee it'll just keep me awake and I'll have to listen to your speech,'' he replied.
Over this past week, much discussion throughout Australia has centred on speeches -- the observations that come from the mouths of politicians. It has been educational to witness the reaction of people to the elevation of Labor's Mark Latham to the position of Opposition Leader, and to note in particular their responses to an analysis of the intemperate language and terminology he has used in the past.
But it appears that many Australians feel he speaks for them -- using the ``straight-talking'' language to which they relate.
It is precisely in that context, and somewhat of a coincidence, that last Saturday I sat through one of the most poignant speeches I have had the privilege of hearing.
The occasion was a meeting of the Ethnic Communities Council and the speaker who made such an impression on me -- and the other people present -- was Aboriginal business leader and Queensland Father of the Year, Tiga Bailes.
Language is such a powerful tool that when somebody uses it well it is remembered.
In my life as a journalist I have heard thousands of speeches.
Former National Party premier Mike Ahern gave a 10-minute reply in State Parliament in 1990 which was outstanding.
He had been dumped as the Nationals' leader and the new Goss government was in full swing. Ahern tore into them so effectively on their handling of the economy and social issues that government members later congratulated him on his effectiveness.
Former Supreme Court Judge Angelo Vasta addressed the Queensland Parliament to put the case why he should not be sacked and his courage in his delivery had to be experienced to be believed.
Wayne Goss was an outstanding orator who had Paul Keating's acerbic turn of phrase and an ability to leave people withering after he'd attacked.
Last August, Tanya Major, a young Aboriginal woman, addressed a gathering at Aurukun on Cape York which included Prime Minister John Howard. She told the story of each of her classmates -- the ones who had died, committed suicide, fallen pregnant -- and how she was the only one to achieve any sort of advanced education at all. It was a powerful speech that had a clear effect on everybody present.
The one from those times that most impressed me was the speech Labor stalwart Tom Burns gave at his farewell bash at Wynnum when he recalled the people and incidents that had influenced his life. What today's politicians could learn from Burns is the virtue of speaking from the heart. Burns had soul.
I have not heard a finer public speaker than Aboriginal lawyer Noel Pearson, and I have listened to him many times, often while he was addressing quite hostile audiences with ideas that confronted them. The only person I feel goes close to his standard is Jesuit priest Fr Frank Brennan, another who has spent his life championing unpopular and often unwinnable causes.
What Brennan and Pearson have in common is the ability to convince listeners that their line of reasoning is the correct one.
They possess that ability because they believe in what they are arguing -- and their sincerity comes through.
But back to last Saturday. Bailes, a strongly built Aboriginal man with a shaved head and a neck as thick as that on a hereford bull, is an imposing sight.
He brought up eight daughters and was a founder of the highly successful Murri school at Inala. And with all that he still finds time to run the Murri radio station in Brisbane. He addressed the multicultural meeting in calm, quiet language, without the benefit of a single note.
His message was clear -- that the non Anglo-Saxon audience had a lot in common with Aboriginal people through having to put up with racial slurs and discrimination.
He made the point that Aboriginal people remained on the bottom of society's heap -- that Australians were welcoming to and tolerant of black Africans, Solomon islanders, Maori, and African-Americans.
He told the story of his elderly mother, who was recently taken to a major Brisbane hospital because she was very ill and could hardly stand. The nurse at reception, seeing the frail woman swaying and incoherent in front of her, said she was drunk and should get out.
But Bailes did not dwell on ``poor blackfellow me'' stories. He emphasised the positives that were needed. ``Our achievements are never noted except if they are outstanding sports people like Cathy Freeman or Tony Mundine,'' Bailes said.
``But you see what a difference there is when the kids are given a chance -- like at our school at Inala. And that is what we, as a people, have to do -- educate our children and give them a chance in life.''
And in finishing, Bailes made a few comments that hit me like a tidal wave. He said: ``In this world there is only one set of rights -- human rights. There is only one race -- the human race. And white people, when talking about a mix of people like all of us gathered here today, like to speak about the ``melting pot'' of cultures that blend to make up Australian society.
``I ask why it has to be a melting pot. Why not a salad bowl?
Think of the salad -- the different lettuces, the tomato, onion, capsicum, cucumber, olives, radish -- all separate ingredients that add to the rich flavour and make-up of what is being presented, without being boiled and melted down so we are the one indistinguishable sameness.
``It doesn't happen that way, and we should celebrate how our differences enrich each other's lives.''
Perhaps Mark Latham should travel to Inala and take a few lessons from a remarkable man who has an uncanny knack of making a complicated message very simple.
