Examples Of Racism In Gary Black

In the novel, Gary Black first experiences racial prejudice and begin to develop awareness of the racism around him. As we read on we will understand and discover how Gary changes, how is affected by racism and how he reacts from others. Discuss.
When we first look at Gary Black, we see a teenage boy who is unaware of the discrimination around him. At the beginning, he partially acknowledges the attitude between the aborigines and Goonyas and avoids any relations with the aborigines. But however, when Blacky begins to understand, his best mate, Dumby Red, he begins to appreciate and takes into account of the aboriginal values. What enables his racial awareness portrays that Blacky has revolutionized from a superficial character with shallow friendships to a deeper thinker with strong morals.
When the novel opens, Blacky wasn’t conscious of the discrimination between the Nungas and Goonyas. Racist comments were made among themselves and the football’s team attitude between the two cultures was inadequate and appalling. He wasn’t yet aware of the racism going through the team and was pressurised to go along with his bigoted and biased mates. For instance, when he was asked if he were mates with Dumby, he refused, ‘Friends with Dumby? No way! I hate his guts!’ Besides this, Blacky spat on the ground to show his disgust and prominently, to prove to
his racist mates that he had no relations with the Nungas. This proves that Blacky hasn’t developed awareness of the racism around him.
One part of the novel when we might see Blacky develop slightly in moral ways is the fight between Blacky and Mad dog. He knew he was going to be crushed, but he is unexpectedly saved from his adversary, Dumby. Dumby saves Blacky from getting injured but is punched in the side of his face and is confronted with a racist comment, ‘Don’t shake hands with boongs.’ Blacky on the other hand, acts selfishly by not taking any action towards the comment but only thoughtlessly thanked Dumby for saving him.
After the fight incident, Blacky is now able to perceive through the outer shell of the aborigines. His is now able to differentiate the concept of racial prejudice through his town, in particularly, by reacting uncomfortably and guilty while sitting next to Clarence underneath the intolerant sign, ‘Boongs Piss Off.’ This fact signifies that Blacky is now able to react with racism in his town and is currently, more racially aware.
After ‘building stronger bridges’ with Dumby, Blacky definitely knew that Dumby would obtain the ‘Best on Ground’ award since he was the player who dominated the grand final match.
But it went all wrong. Instead, the award went to the coach’s son, Mark Arks. Blacky obviously knew Dumby had not achieved the award because of exploitation and the racist civilization in town. This led him into an irritated and resentful mood, ‘Mark Arks getting B.O.G. It’s bullshit. That’s Dumby’s Trophy.’ This was the turning point of his view on the town and it was this which led him take into consideration the racism occurring in
town.
Just as his best Dumby is murdered, Blacky is confronted with a choice whether to go to the funeral or not. After asking Pickles and Darcy, he received a negative attitude and absolutely no support but simply disgust and racist comments. Because of racism prejudice, this led Darcy and Pickles to believe that Dumby deserves for what he has done. ‘The old man reckons he got what he deserved.’ Blacky recognises how much the Goonyas in his town hated the Nungas. But now after understanding the aborigines, Blacky goes to Dumby’s funeral to honour him and to show respect even though it would ruin his relationship his father and his blossoming relationship with Cathy.
After having the courage to go to his mate’s funeral, Blacky makes a further stand, to remove the graffiti of the shed ‘boongs piss off.’ But he was caught by his father stealing paint and threatened, ‘Are you out of your f$c@ing mind?’Blackly reacted by saying ‘I can’t put it back’. As a result, this proves that Blacky had developed into a morally better person. Blacky at the end of the incident developed awareness that his friends, family and town were all racists.
Blacky may not have been aware of the racial prejudice around him at the start. But when we read on Blacky starts a good relationship and is able identify the racism between the Goonyas and Nungas. But as he develops and gains a deeper understanding of the aboriginals, he learns about justice, racism and courage.