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Another Day in the Colony

By: Chelsea Watego
Narrated by: Chelsea Watego
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Publisher's Summary

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

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: F--k hope. Be sovereign.

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, Another Day in the Colony was longlisted for the Stella Prize.

©2021 Chelsea Watego (P)2021 Audible Australia Pty Ltd.

Critic Reviews

"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." (Professor Larissa Behrendt)

"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'." (Dr Lilla Watson)

What listeners say about Another Day in the Colony

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I cannot more highly recommend this book!

This is a searing critique and truth-telling about the ongoing racist violence of settler colonialism, but told through the stories of Indigenous persistence, humour, and warmth. Having the author narrate the chapters is such a bonus as she layers them with the expressive and pointed language of an expert story-teller.

As a white settler, I am bloody glad I listened to it.

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Excellent book - telling the truth

Loved it. She articulated so many ideas in a way that made a lot of sense to me when others have not.
I love how the author altered certain characterisations after talking to her elder. Brilliant and right.
I think she really nailed it.

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Should be required reading

I know this book was not written for my benefit but I still learned a lot. We can all benefit from listening to what Dr Watego has to say. Highly recommended.

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F×ck Hope, Embody Sovereignty

Passionate and challenging depiction of the nature of colonial violence and the myriad ways the colonial project persists today. Written for those living 'another day in the colony'. Required reading for anyone who seeks to understand sovereignty. The audio book, in Dr Watego's voice, adds to the authenticity and clarity of this important work.

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unsettling

Brilliant writing, fantastic listening to the author speaking her own words.
Highly recommended for anyone trying, as I am, to reconcile an ongoing presence on unceded lands.

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Powerful

Powerful statement that is needed in today's narrative. Especially for First Nations mob. Proud Voice

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A truth

Thought-provoking. I was interested by this book. I will recommend it to colleagues, family and friends.

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Amazing

As a young Blakfulla working in Government listening to this at my desk, I felt SO empowered listening and related to ALOT. I went through a roller coaster of emotion in this book, sad, happy, angry, Chelsea Watego’s narration added so much as well. I feel validated for many of the my experiences as a Blakfulla, it’s refreshing. THANK YOU

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Confronting and enlightening

Confronting and illuminating, I absolutely loved listening to Watego read her book as I walked along beaches and bush tracks for two weeks. Her flat but compelling voice in my ear, as I trampled and trudged on country we call our 'hood' made her uncompromising fierce writing about 'surviving in the colony' extremely powerful. Pulling no punches, she describes the every day racism experienced by all black Australians, including by herself even in the halls (and tiny allocated rooms upstairs) of academia. There is also a lot of love and compassion for family, friends and her community, and laughs here and there thanks to her wonderful, frank and sharp sense of humour. At times it was a really uncomfortable read/listen, which is why it must be read by all of us, no matter who Chelsea Watego says her audience is.

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A powerful call to sovereignty

Watego’s writing is insightful, authentic, and most importantly unapologetic. Another Day in the Colony is an opportunity to learn from Watego not just about the past experiences of Aboriginal people but about the way forward.

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In the spirit of reconciliation, Audible acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of country throughout Australia and their connections to land, sea and community. We pay our respect to their elders past and present and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples today.