Doris Pilkington Garimara's "Follow the Rabbit-Proof Fence" is more than just a gripping adventure of three young Aboriginal girls; it is a stark indictment of the pervasive racism embedded within British colonial Australia. The novel, based on the true story of Molly, Daisy, and Gracie, vividly illustrates how government policies, driven by racist ideologies, tore families apart and inflicted profound trauma. The narrative exposes the systemic dehumanization of Indigenous Australians, the forced assimilation policies, and the devastating consequences of separating children from their families and cultural heritage. Through the arduous journey of the girls, Garimara not only chronicles their physical quest for home but also their emotional and spiritual struggle against a system designed to erase their identity.
The most potent manifestation of this racism is the policy of "protection" which, in reality, was a mechanism for control and assimilation. The Stolen Generations, a direct outcome of this policy, saw Indigenous children forcibly removed from their parents and placed in institutions or with white families. Molly, Daisy, and Gracie are themselves victims of this policy, taken from their mother, Nugi, in Jigalong to the Moore River Native Settlement. The settlement, as depicted by Garimara, was a place of neglect, harsh discipline, and emotional desolation, far removed from the nurturing environment of their traditional lives. The white staff at Moore River, often acting under the authority of the Aborigines Protection Board, viewed the Indigenous children not as individuals with inherent worth but as potential labourers or as subjects to be Christianized and "civilized" according to colonial standards. This paternalistic and prejudiced worldview underpinned the entire system of child removal, demonstrating a profound belief in the superiority of white British culture and a contempt for Indigenous traditions.
The titular rabbit-proof fence becomes a powerful symbol of the artificial and oppressive boundaries imposed by the colonial administration. Erected to keep rabbits out of agricultural land, the fence also, metaphorically, represents the barriers placed between Indigenous people and their ancestral lands, their families, and their cultural practices. The girls' decision to follow this fence south, and then eventually north, is a deliberate act of defiance against these boundaries. Their journey is not merely a flight from the settlement; it is a quest to reclaim their stolen identities and return to the country that is rightfully theirs. The immense physical distance they cover – over 1,600 kilometres – mirrors the vast psychological and cultural chasm created by colonial policies. The landscape itself, initially an obstacle, becomes a guide, with the fence acting as a lifeline, a constant presence that directs their path, even as it signifies the confinement they are trying to escape.
Furthermore, the novel highlights the racial prejudice encountered by the girls from the wider white population. Even when they are not directly interacting with government officials, they face suspicion, fear, and discrimination. Their appearance alone marks them as "other" in the eyes of many white Australians. The casual cruelty of characters like Mr. A.O. Neville, the Chief Protector of Aborigines, exemplifies the ingrained racism of the era. Neville, a key figure in the Stolen Generations, saw his actions as benevolent, believing he was saving Indigenous children from a perceived degraded existence. However, Garimara’s portrayal reveals the devastating human cost of such "benevolence," demonstrating how colonial administrators, blinded by prejudice, inflicted irreparable harm on countless families. The girls' ability to evade capture relies partly on the kindness of strangers, both Indigenous and sympathetic white individuals, but the constant threat of being discovered and returned to the oppressive system underscores the pervasive hostility they faced.
In conclusion, "Follow the Rabbit-Proof Fence" serves as a vital historical document and a powerful literary work that exposes the brutal realities of racism in British colonial Australia. Through the innocent yet determined eyes of Molly, Daisy, and Gracie, Doris Pilkington Garimara illuminates the devastating impact of assimilationist policies and the systemic dehumanization of Indigenous Australians. The novel’s enduring legacy lies in its ability to give voice to the silenced, to bear witness to historical injustices, and to foster a deeper understanding of the enduring pain and resilience of the Aboriginal people. It is a story that demands remembrance, a testament to the strength of the human spirit in the face of profound oppression.