Biography
Oodgeroo Noonuccal (formally known as Kathy Walker) was born in 1920 to an Aboriginal family with seven children. Her father was employed by the Queensland government as part of a poorly-paid Aboriginal work force. His campaigning fir better conditions left a strong impression on his daughter. At the age of 13 she left school to become a domestic servant in Brisbane. She was poorly paid but stayed because of lack of opportunities open to Aboriginal women. She was often rejected from jobs just because she was Aboriginal. She was left her job because of an ear-infection and hearing loss. She was a activist for change and Aboriginal rights. She was the first Aboriginal to publish a book of verse.
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Poem- All One Race
Analysis
In the poem 'All One Race' by Oodgeroo Noonuccal, the theme of racial unity and acceptance is conveyed through the choice of words and different racial groups. It is also conveyed through the tone of hope through out the poem. When Oodgeroo Noouccal talks about different groups like 'Herrs and pukka-Sahibs, demoisellers and squaws', this shows that we are 'all one family' and Noonuccal clearly asks 'so why make wars'. The poet also uses a lot of listing, like 'black, white or brown race, yellow race or red'. This is emphasising that we that we are all the same even if we think we are different. It is showing that a large group of different people can come together and yet again emphasising the idea of racial unity. We can tell that Oodgeroo Noouccal is for acceptance and humanity because she writes 'I'm international, never mind place; I'm for humanity, all one race'. This yet again emphasises the idea of racial unity. The poem uses a rhyming scheme of AA, BB, CC ect this gives us the impression of a straight forward rhyme that you know will continue, giving us a sense of hope for a better future. Noonuccal uses a interesting choice of words, a variety of words from different languages and a definite rhyme scheme to convey the theme of racial unity and acceptance.
Context Paragraph
When looking at this poem it is important to know about the poets context in order to make sense of the poem. If you did not know that Oodgeroo Noonuccal was Aboriginal and had lived a poor child hood due to the fact that the only reason her father could not get a well paid job just because he was Aboriginal. The whole poem is about racial unity and acceptance, which Noonuccal experienced her self when she could not get any other jobs than a servant only due to her race. If you did not know about Noonuccals background this poem would have a lot less meaning to it.