Another Day in the Colony
by Chelsea Watego

A ground-breaking work – and a call to arms – that exposes the ongoing colonial violence experienced by First Nations people.

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Overview

In this collection of deeply insightful and powerful essays, Chelsea Watego examines the ongoing and daily racism faced by First Nations peoples in so-called Australia. Rather than offer yet another account of ‘the Aboriginal problem’, she theorises a strategy for living in a society that has only ever imagined Indigenous peoples as destined to die out.

Drawing on her own experiences and observations of the operations of the colony, she exposes the lies that settlers tell about Indigenous people. In refusing such stories, Chelsea narrates her own: fierce, personal, sometimes funny, sometimes anguished. She speaks not of fighting back but of standing her ground against colonialism in academia, in court and in the media. It’s a stance that takes its toll on relationships, career prospects and even the body.

Yet when told to have hope, Watego’s response rings clear: Fuck hope. Be sovereign.

Details

Awards

Reviews

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ebook

Distinguished Professor Larissa Behrendt

‘Through inspiring acts of sovereignty and triumphant resistance, Chelsea Watego crafts a powerful and important personal account that is a must-read: confronting, generous, moving and insightful. She is a defining voice of her generation and our people.’

Dr Lilla Watson

‘This book is the truth telling of a lone runner. Chelsea is running a race and can’t see anyone in front of her and she can’t see anyone behind her but she never stops running. She is not in the race to win and she is not in the race to lose either. She is in the race to tell her story, of self, which is the story of many of her mob. She knows this story so well because she has lived it her whole life. This book is a must-read for all citizens of this country called “Australia”.’

Judges comments, Victorian Premier's Literary Awards

‘This book exemplifies what it means to be a sovereign Black woman living and surviving in the colony. Fiercely intelligent with razor sharp analysis, Chelsea uses critical race theory and Indigenous critical theory to articulate the Black experience as she categorically names, explains and dismantles the ongoing racism perpetuated in Australia every day. Professor Watego’s words are purposely crafted to build strength and resilience in our Black community, while simultaneously celebrating our joy and love for each other as Black people. This book is a love letter to our community, it is a weapon in our fight for survival, and it is a building block for our future.’

Judges comments, The Stella Prize

‘Chelsea Watego has delivered a work that is part anthem, part love story. In a series of essays about the difficult – often backbreaking – labour involved in surviving the colonial logics and systems that determine everyday life in Australia, Watego refuses to pander to the needs of readers who aren’t Aboriginal. It is unapologetically written for her community. Watego’s descriptions of the institutional and physical violence Aboriginal people are forced to endure in contemporary Australia are clear, urgent, and white hot with rage. At the same time, her portraits of moments with family, community, and ancestors are tender, vulnerable, and joyous. Watego creates a Black intellectual republic through her words. Indeed, this assertion of independence is the foundation upon which her work rests. In marking out this space, free from the gaze of white Australia and the systems it has created, Another Day in the Colony creates its own borders and in this way it is brave, and free.’

Laura Jean McKay

‘A vital collection of essays speaking to First Nations people while reckoning with colonial violence. I couldn't put this book down.’

Lucy Treloar

‘A book whose insights into colonialism are personal and profound.’

Chelsea Watego

Chelsea Watego is a Munanjahli and South Sea Islander woman born and raised on Yuggera country. First trained as an Aboriginal health worker, she is an Indigenist health humanities scholar, prolific writer and public intellectual. When not referred to as ‘Vern and Elaine’s baby’, she is also Kihi, Maya, Eliakim, Vernon and George’s mum. In 2022, Chelsea's groundbreaking work, Another Day in the Colony was longlisted for the Stella Prize.