Kuyan and Sean form Impact Policy dive deep into lateral violence and anti racism, below is an outline of some of the topics they navigate together

2. Lateral Violence: Definitions and Prevalence

• Description of lateral violence and its recurring presence in various sectors and work environments
• Emphasis on the lack of nuanced understanding of the root causes
• Encouragement to view the issue at both surface and systemic levels

3. Root Causes and Systemic Issues

• Connection to colonization and genocide as foundational drivers of lateral violence
• Dismantling the myth that lateral violence is an “Aboriginal-only” issue
• Examination of environmental and systemic factors enabling lateral violence to persist
• Comparison with experiences in other marginalized communities globally

4. Understanding and Misunderstanding the Issue

• Noting that most people can give examples but lack depth in understanding origins and systemic components
• The role of non-Aboriginal systems and practices in perpetuating lateral violence
• Discussion of reactive versus proactive responses: addressing symptoms vs. tackling root causes

5. Difficulties Addressing Lateral Violence

• Tendency to address the issue at the individual level without systemic change
• Analogy: treating symptoms without curing the infection
• Challenges faced by non-Indigenous people in engaging with lateral violence due to lack of systemic understanding and fear

6. The Nuances and Workplace Triggers

• Importance of addressing both systemic and individual levels
• Non-Indigenous reluctance to get involved, and its consequences
• Workplace examples: “advice shopping,” elevation of some Aboriginal voices over others, recruitment and competition triggers
• Impact of lack of transparency in recruitment and funding decisions

7. Personal Experiences and Emotional Impact

• Sharing of personal and collective experiences of lateral violence within government and community
• Emotional toll: when lateral violence follows individuals home and permeates personal life and community connections
• Unique burdens experienced by Aboriginal people navigating workplace and community pressures

9. Transparency, Integrity, and Leadership

• Lack of transparency in decision-making as a systemic contributor
• The societal pattern in Australia of narrative control and withholding information
• The link between integrity, leadership, and willingness to be transparent

10. Cultural Dynamics, Elevation, and Diversity

• Problems with elevating individual voices or “leaders” over the diversity within communities
• Homogenization—misunderstanding of the multiplicity of Aboriginal experiences and viewpoints
• Tension arising from mismatches between workplace/sectoral elevation and community status

11. Conflict and Accountability

• Distinction between healthy conflict and lateral violence
• Traditional strengths of Aboriginal communities in conflict management and resolution
• Seeking accountability vs. tearing down individuals
• Reflection on how social and professional settings can foster unhealthy conflict compared to traditional or community-based resolution

12. Language and Concepts: ‘Staunch’, Anger, and Misapplied Strength

13. Systemic Pressures and Double Standards

14. Practical Solutions and Advice

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