Blak & Bright Writers Festival rare public safe space for conversation
Poet Evelyn Araluen says the Blak & Bright Writers Festival will provide a welcome reprieve from the often hostile online environments First Nations people deal with. The festival will take place in Naarm this week.
The Blak & Bright Writers Festival is a unique, rare public space where Indigenous Australians can openly discuss their culture, history, and identities. Evelyn Araluen, a prominent figure in the Indigenous literary scene, recalls the early days of Twitter as a platform where Indigenous people could connect and share their thoughts without fear of judgment.
However, the takeover of Twitter by Elon Musk and subsequent changes to the platform have made it an unsafe space for marginalized voices. Araluen believes that the recent Australian Indigenous Voice to Parliament referendum has exacerbated the problem, making it easier for racists to voice their hateful opinions with the backing of others.
Despite these challenges, the Blak & Bright Writers Festival remains crucial in providing a platform for Indigenous storytelling, featuring renowned speakers such as Melissa Lucashenko, Chelsea Watego, and Tony Armstrong. The festival's artistic director, Bebe Oliver, emphasizes that First Nations stories are meant for everyone and encourages people to attend not only the festival but also to read and engage with Blak stories.
Oliver acknowledges the challenges faced by literary festivals, including funding cuts and censorship, but remains committed to ensuring that the broader Australian community understands and appreciates the significance of Indigenous storytelling.
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