"I'm not racist, but ..." is a collection of social observations, thoughts and conversations that will challenge the reader to considers issues of imposed and real Aboriginal identity, the process of reconciliation and issues around saying 'sorry', notions of 'truth' and integrity, biculturalism and invisible whiteness, entrenched racism and political correctness.

Table of Contents

Apologies Aboriginal Studies Anthropology is ... Who's Truth Different Lives, Different Values Indigenous Intellectuals I don't hate you, but ... My Other My 10 Point Plan for a better Australia Ode to my mother Pieces for peace For our children Making Aborigines Us and Them Advance Australia -Unfair Checkerboard love Expectations: (with respects to Phil Kawana) Untitled The Creator's Prayer Holier than thou Thoughts Considering Self Why I write Pearls from an old Aunty What I know Dreaming You I heard you The A-Z of First Contact: (with respect to Gordon Hooky) Anger My Father's Homeland: For my Father My friend the therapist said ... White and Black poetry readings: distinct differences Face The Truth An Oztralian Preamble Stop Asking Me ... What is the spirit of Australia? I'm Not Racist, But ... Integrity Sorry Treaty Reconciliation #1 Reconciliation #2 Token Kooris: Blackfellas for hire (radio play) I know what you're thinking Nameless face My Best Friend's White Invisible Whiteness Coffee Coloured Being Aboriginal Bicultural Blackfella But You're Not Really An Aborigine Identity Kahnawake Leon Carmen Proud to be Koori We Have Survived What Psyches You? Tolerated but not valued

About the Author

Dr Anita Heiss is a member of the Wiradjuri nation, and is an author, poet, satirist and social commentator. Anita's published works include the historical novel Who Am I? The Diary of Mary Talence, Sydney 1937, satirical prose Sacred Cows, adult novel Not Meeting Mr Right, kids novel Yirra and her deadly dog, Demon and non-fiction text Dhuuluu-Yala (To Talk Straight) - Publishing Aboriginal Literature.

Prizes

Anita Heiss writes poems that are passionate, humorous and politically engaged. Her new collection is replete with urgent and tender stories of family, belonging and community, alongside poems that bear witness to the vital struggle for Aboriginal cultural and political sovereignty. In the spirit of true poetry her work is a necessary call to responsibility and social transformation. -- Peter Minter Anita Heiss writes from the heart. As a leading Indigenous writer, critic and social commentator, her poems are an angry and eloquent call for justice for Indigenous Australian people. -- Rosie Scott