6 times Redfern Now showed us how not all beliefs are accepted

Joel listened to his dad letting Joel know about his feelings towards the national anthem, “Its not our song, it does not belong to us, you don’t need that stuff to have pride bud”. After letting that sink it, Joel decided to sit down during the national anthem. This scene displays the teacher talking to Joel about his act in the assembly. Mr Parish (Ewen Leslie) explained to Joel about the school rules, “we need you to follow the rules and one of the rules is to sing the national anthem at assembly”. a close up of Joel and Mr Parish were shot in this scene which blurred the background emphasising the importance. Joel did what he felt was right and stood up for his beliefs.

Joel listened to his dad letting Joel know about his feelings towards the national anthem, “Its not our song, it does not belong to us, you don’t need that stuff to have pride bud”. After letting that sink it, Joel decided to sit down during the national anthem. This scene displays the teacher talking to Joel about his act in the assembly. Mr Parish (Ewen Leslie) explained to Joel about the school rules, “we need you to follow the rules and one of the rules is to sing the national anthem at assembly”. a close up of Joel and Mr Parish were shot in this scene which blurred the background emphasising the importance. Joel did what he felt was right and stood up for his beliefs.

The third time Joel was meant to sing the national anthem after being told to do so, he still does not and sticks with his beliefs. The principal Ms McCann walks through the middle and comes upon Joel who still isn’t singing neither showing any interest. Her stiff body language and powerful stance depicted how frustrated she was. Instead of being rather understanding of Joel’s situation, Ms McCann walks off determined to take an action. Ms McCann was misusing using her power as she had a high position in the school.

As Joel disobeys a simple instruction to sing the national anthem every morning, his parents are called for a parent teacher interview organised with the member of the aboriginal committee, the principal and Joel’s teacher. After his mum insists him to speak up, he replies with ‘I don’t want to get into any more trouble, I want to sing the national anthem and I cant’. This motion of speech identifies how important it is to take into consideration about what people of a different background feel and think. Human rights should be acknowledged appropriately but instead this results in Joel being expelled from the school.

The conclusion of the meeting was that Joel would not sing the national anthem; therefore he was exempted from Clifton grammar school. Joel and his parents determined to get his education back by any means. Though he was expelled, he turned up to his lessons valiantly. After getting kicked out the first day, his return on the second day led to the same situation. The camera shot was a low angled zooming from below towards the security guard, Ms McCann and Joel showing the angle the cameraman was taking the photo from. Ms McCann’s facial expressions were serious and shocked when she saw what extent Joel’s family is going to, after seeing the photographer. Even after seeing how eager Joel is to continue studying at Clifton grammar school, she is still unaffected with her decision. This shows how his beliefs are not accepted.

In this scene, all the indigenous students unite to help get Joel shields back. They refuse to sing the national anthem and sit down during the school assembly. They all decided not to move even when Ms McCann was threatening them about expelling all the students standing up for indigenous people’s rights, standing up for Joel. Ms McCann adamant to her decision says to the group “You think that you’re aboriginal. That I won’t expel you all… now I’m going to count till five, when I reach five I want you all on your feet singing your heart out”. Still not understanding that the unity of the group wont break and also that she has crossed the limit till the point that no one cares about her decisions.