ABC News reporter Luke Bowden writes that the statue of William Crowther in Hobart has sparked controversy in the city. The statue, which had stood for over a century, was vandalized in May, with the bronze feet chopped off and graffiti sprayed on the base. The vandalism was a nod to an incident from over 150 years ago when Crowther allegedly desecrated an Aboriginal leader’s body. The statue’s destruction has reignited debate over Crowther’s legacy, with some viewing him as a misunderstood figure of his time, while others see him as a symbol of colonial brutality. The incident has become a focal point for discussions about Tasmania’s dark history and the ongoing struggle for recognition and justice for Aboriginal people. ABC News reporter Luke Bowden highlights the struggle of Palawa people who feel persecuted for their Indigenous heritage while also being denied their identity due to their white ancestry. Many feel that their history is either missing or deliberately ignored. Nala, for example, points out the lack of accurate education on Tasmanian Aboriginal culture in her school. In response to this gap, Nunami started Black Led Tours to educate people about the city’s black history.
The controversy surrounding the statue of Crowther, who was known to have mutilated Lanne, has sparked a heated debate among Tasmanian Aboriginal people and Crowther’s descendants. While some argue for the removal of the statue as a step towards reconciliation, others believe it holds heritage value and should remain for educational purposes.
Hobart’s council eventually decided to remove the statue in 2022, marking it as a significant move towards acknowledging the city’s history and reconciling with the Aboriginal community. However, the process faced opposition from some who viewed it as unnecessary.
The incident has sparked discussions about the need for a national truth-telling process in Australia to reconcile with its First Peoples. While some oppose this idea, citing it as divisive, others believe it is necessary for the country to have an honest relationship with its past. ABC News/Luke Bowden “No les importa si ponemos algunas de nuestras pinturas en el centro comercial,” dice Nala.
“Pero si hablas sobre… cualquier tipo de beneficio para la comunidad aborigen, o recuperar algo que nos fue robado, es un juego completamente diferente.”
Sin embargo, ella es una de las que siente que la marea está cambiando lentamente.
“La estatua de Crowther… es la primera vez que pienso, ‘Wow, la gente blanca – están empezando a entenderlo’,” dice Nala.
Blak Led Tours Tasmania/Jillian Mundy Nunami espera que el debate sobre Crowther provoque más conversaciones sobre otros lugares emblemáticos de Hobart.
El concejo aún estaba decidiendo qué debería reemplazar a la escultura cuando tuvo un final inesperado.
Pero muchos querían que los pies cortados permanecieran en la plaza – tal como estaban – argumentando que hacían una declaración irónicamente “divertida” y “profunda”.
Sin embargo, a principios de esta semana, el concejo sacó los tobillos de su posición, para reunirlos con el resto de la efigie, citando requerimientos de la ley de patrimonio.
Pero Nunami dice que incluso el pedestal ahora vacío ilustra la historia de Crowther y Lanne mucho mejor que la estatua.
“Podemos decir que nosotros, como público, aprendimos, crecimos, y cambiamos la narrativa de este lugar… Miren aquí, cortamos eso.”
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