Essentialist thinking is basically seeing a behaviour in a type of person and assuming that the whole group is like that. We all do this kind of thing without realising it - we all think men or women or a certain way. We all think arabs, greeks, turks etc are all a certain way. We know that God has created each person uniquely and that whilst there will always be some things that individuals or groups hold in common, no two people are the same. In the same way that no two fingerprints match, so we cannot assume that Indigenous people are all cast in the same mould.
To avoid this kind of thinking is essential, and the best way of overcoming this is to remember not to do it. If we are aware that each person is unique, we will look at each Indigenous person we meet as an individual and look for what qualities and problems that individual has.
As I read the article I was most surprised to find out that Tasmanian Aboriginals DID still exist. I have long believed that they died out a long time out. I was also amazed to read that they take less welfare than non Indigenous people as a percentage.
Some of their common characteristics that I will choose to remember and be mindful of in dealing with Indigenous youth in the future are these:
- Their priority on Family
- Their tendency to be poorer and less advantaged
- That there is a higher percentage of Indigenous people in prison
- That there is a high percentage of substance abuse and violence in Indigenous homes
Next time I work with an Indigenous youth I will remember that whilst there are many common characteristics of these people, and I must be mindful of them, that I cannot assume that the person I'm faced with DOES in fact have these issues.
Each Indigenous person is an individual and precious to God and Christ came to die for them just as he did for us. The heart of God is towards them and we should allow the Love of Christ to meet them through us.
