My Place (book)
Encyclopedia
My Place is an autobiography written by artist Sally Morgan
in 1987. It is about Morgan's quest for knowledge of her family's past and the fact that she has grown up under false pretences. The book is a milestone in Aboriginal literature and is one of the earlier works in indigenous
writing.
and also Corunna Downs.
The book has been published in several parts 'for young readers' in the following parts:
The book is widely studied in Public Schools across NSW, Australia as part of an 'Aboriginal Studies' program compulsory for all students.
In her essay Aboriginal Art and Film: The Politics of Representation, leading Aboriginal scholar Marcia Langton
reflects on the (often complex) debates and controversies that surround Morgan's My Place – which have also plagued authors Mudrooroo
and Archie Weller
– and Aboriginal identity generally.
Sally Morgan (artist)
Sally Jane Morgan is an Australian Aboriginal author, dramatist, and artist. Morgan's works are on display in numerous private and public collections in both Australia and around the world.-Early life:...
in 1987. It is about Morgan's quest for knowledge of her family's past and the fact that she has grown up under false pretences. The book is a milestone in Aboriginal literature and is one of the earlier works in indigenous
Indigenous peoples
Indigenous peoples are ethnic groups that are defined as indigenous according to one of the various definitions of the term, there is no universally accepted definition but most of which carry connotations of being the "original inhabitants" of a territory....
writing.
Synopsis
Recounts of several of Morgan's family members are told. The story setting revolves around Morgan's own hometown, Perth, Western AustraliaPerth, Western Australia
Perth is the capital and largest city of the Australian state of Western Australia and the fourth most populous city in Australia. The Perth metropolitan area has an estimated population of almost 1,700,000....
and also Corunna Downs.
The book has been published in several parts 'for young readers' in the following parts:
Sally's story (FremantleFremantle, Western AustraliaFremantle is a city in Western Australia, located at the mouth of the Swan River. Fremantle Harbour serves as the port of Perth, the state capital. Fremantle was the first area settled by the Swan River colonists in 1829...
: Fremantle Arts Centre PressFremantle Arts Centre PressFremantle Press is an independent publisher in Western Australia. Fremantle Press was established by the Fremantle Arts Centre in 1976...
, 1990.) edited by Barbara Ker Wilson ('My Place' for young readers, part 1'. For children.) ISBN 0949206784
Arthur Corunna's story (Narkaling Productions, 1995) edited by Barbara Ker Wilson ('My Place' for young readers, part 2'. For children.) ISBN 0949206776
Mother and daughter: The story of Daisy and Glady's Corunna (Narkaling Productions, 1994) Edited by Barbara Ker Wilson ('My Place' for young readers, part 3'. For children.) ISBN 0949206792
The book is widely studied in Public Schools across NSW, Australia as part of an 'Aboriginal Studies' program compulsory for all students.
Aboriginal representations in My Place
In her essay "Always was always will be," Indigenous writer, activist and historian Jackie Huggins responds to Australian historian Bain Attwood's "deconstruction of Aboriginality" in his analysis of Sally Morgan's My Place, in addition to identifying problems that Huggins has with the book itself. Here is a brief excerpt from Huggins' essay:
"It cannot be denied that among those who have read My Place are (usually patronising) whites who believe that they are no longer racist because they have read it. It makes Aboriginality intelligible to non-Aboriginals, although there are different forms of Aboriginality which need to be considered also; otherwise these remain exclusionary and the danger is that only one ‘world view’ is espoused.
"Precisely what irks me about My Place is its proposition that Aboriginality can be understood by all non-Aboriginals. Aboriginality is not like that. [Bain] Attwood states ‘like most other Aboriginal life histories, it requires little if any translation’. To me that is My Place’s greatest weakness – requiring little translation (to a white audience), therefore it reeks of whitewashing in the ultimate sense."
In her essay Aboriginal Art and Film: The Politics of Representation, leading Aboriginal scholar Marcia Langton
Marcia Langton
Marcia Lynne Langton is one of Australia's leading Aboriginal scholars. She holds the Foundation Chair in Australian Indigenous Studies at the University of Melbourne, Australia...
reflects on the (often complex) debates and controversies that surround Morgan's My Place – which have also plagued authors Mudrooroo
Mudrooroo
Colin Thomas Johnson, better known by his nom de plume, Mudrooroo is a novelist, poet, essayist and playwright. He has been described as one of the most enigmatic literary figures of Australia and since 2001 he has been living in Kapan, Nepal...
and Archie Weller
Archie Weller
Archie Weller is an Australian award winning writer of novels, short stories and screen plays.Weller was born in Cranbrook, Western Australia, and grew up on a farm called Woonenup in the South west of that state....
– and Aboriginal identity generally.
"[T]he enormous response by white Australia to [My Place] lies somewhere in the attraction to something forbidden... and the apparent investigation and revelation of that forbidden thing through style and family history. It recasts Aboriginality, so long suppressed, as acceptable, bringing it out into the open. The book is a catharsis. It gives release and relief, not so much to Aboriginal people oppressed by psychotic racism, as to the whites who wittingly and unwittingly participated in it" (Langton)