Redfern Now 'Stand Up' Analysis Belonging

Redfern Now

Close up shot imitating a portrait photograph

Includes Joel's whole family who are portrayed as happy and proud

He feels comfortable and accepted by his family. A sense of unity and solidarity.

T: High angle wide shot

D: The whole school community standing and singing the national anthem at assembly

M: The school has a strong and unified tradition. They are expected to look and act in a manner that represents the school. Individualism is not necessarily welcomed. Joel is an outsider as he doesn't know what's going on.

Mr Parish: ‘Do you know what the national anthem is?’

Joel: ‘It’s a song sung, sung at footy grand finals and

cricket games, like when Australia play India or England

and that.’

T: Dialogue

D: Joel is immediately asked about why he wasn't singing in a pretty informal way.

M: It shows that although it is supposed to be an officially recognised national song, it has no personal connection to Joel

T: Tracking close up framing Joel and his former classmates; Dialogue

D: Joel is avoiding contact with his classmates. They perceive him as suddenly different to them- as a more privileged person in his community. Shows his separation from his past.

M: Belonging can be affected by different contexts- even though Joel is the 'same' person, he is suddenly judged differently.

5- Joel sits

T: Mid shot of Joel sitting while all the others stand

D: Joel is depicted as isolated from his peers

M: Joel does not want to belong, he wants to differentiate himself from the values of the school and assert his own beliefs. This puts him into conflict with his peers.

We’re very proud of our schools’ relationship with the Indigenous community. I think it enriches us all, students and staff. Ultimately my responsibility is to the Board of Governors. They provide the financial support to allow us to offer the scholarships. If I exempt Joel it sets a precedent. I don’t see the need for letter writing, or detention. All Joel needs to do is stand and sing the national anthem. After all, at the end of the day we’re all Australians. – Mrs McCann

T: Dialogue at the suspension/expulsion meting

D: Mrs McCann is trying to justify the culture of the school- she believes in a specific definition of what it means to be Australian.

M: Represents the conflict between different versions of 'Australian'. Mrs McCann believes that it has specific characteristics which override any objections. Joel and his family assert their right to be considered separately from the group.

T: Close up shot of Joel's family in the car post suspension meeting

D: This is a contrast to their previous 'family portrait'. They are shown to be in conflict with each other over what to do about Joel's refusal to sing the anthem.

M: Shows that ideas of belonging can vary even within a family. Joel's mother is willing for him to participate in singing the anthem to remain at the school. However, his father is adamant that his principles remain, even if this exlcudes him.

You can’t see it can you? You sit high and mighty on your corroboree ground recliner chair, big brave warrior standing up for the black man. You can’t even light a fire, Eddie. You’re scared of the bush. You can’t even walk in your backyard without your shoes. You’re living like a whitefella … You can’t pick and choose when it suits you … What do you want our son to be, hmm? What? You think to be a proper blackfella you gotta live in a humpy? Drink in the park? Burn the Australian flag? Spit on all things white? He has a chance for something real here. And you know what? Even if he goes to a flash school, wears a tie, shoes and socks, sings the national anthem, he’s still black. And I’ll always tell him that.

T: Dialogue

D: Joel's mother is articulating a way for different types of belonging to work in unison. She is suggesting that belonging goes beyond stereotypes and is an experience.

M: This represents the complex process involved in creating belonging. Your experience of belonging is personal and to some extent you choose your own priorities.

T: Close up tracking shot

D: Joel is being escorted off the premises by Mrs McCann after ignoring his expulsion. He is pictured at the front of the shot with Mrs McCann following behind.

M: Joel is depicted as confident and engaged in negotiating his own form of belonging. He refuses to be excluded from the school on a matter of principle.

10- Joel is welcomed back

T: Symbol

D: Joel is welcomed back to class by all his fellow students and his teacher. He is back at school without having to sing the anthem

M: Joel has been able to gain acceptance and understanding by standing u for his principles even if this means he is excluded.

Aspects of Belonging

There are conflicting perceptions of what it means to be Australian. This includes the idea that there may be some aspects of being 'Australian' that are non negotiable.

It can be difficult to integrate your sense of identity and culture to a national sense of culture.

To some extent , creating a group identity will mean that individual characteristics are denied or destroyed

It may be difficult to maintain one aspect of your identity in relation to external pressues or choices.

Sometimes, the positive aspects of being included are outweighed by the negative processes you have to go through to be unified

People constantly shift their allegiances. Their perceptions of themselves alter in different contexts. They may feel strongly about one aspect of their culture but feel no connection to other aspects.

Open acceptance and change doesn't always happen. Sometimes groups seek to maintain security and boundaries, and people have to take direct to be included.

People constantly shift their allegiances. Their perceptions of themselves alter in different contexts. They may feel strongly about one aspect of their culture but feel no connection to other aspects.

Episode 4- Stand Up

Travis: ‘Looks like you’re going to court, bra.’

Wheelie: ‘Who you think you are in that, Will Smith?’

Travis: ‘Joely! What, you too good for us now, or what?’