I have known Wayne from Whalan for just over 5 years ago when he became passionate (like myself) with improvements in public transport within Mount Druitt. Now, he provides his professional response as the result on the 3 episodes, being watched by a majority of community members of what SBS claimed was 'Struggle Street':
SBS’s
program “Struggle Street”
has truly generated a lot of media attention and debate regarding the Mount Druitt
area and surrounding suburbs. From my own personal opinion, I felt that overall
the documentary was well done and did a good job of high lighting some of the
issues that are present in the area, such as mental health, drug abuse (in
particular ice), lack of education and, facilities and support for young people
are but to name a few. However, I did feel that the “Struggle Street” did unfairly single Mount Druitt
and implied that these problems were exclusive to Mount Druitt
as the only area in NSW with these problems. The juxtaposition of the intro of
comparing sunny beaches and iconic Sydney
landmarks, such as the Harbor
Bridge, to then suddenly
transpose to images of derelict houses, graffiti and people yelling, is very
condescending.
Looking at it from an objective point of view, comparing any
suburb to a glamorous beach and an iconic Sydney
city view would make any suburban place look pale in comparison. One of my pet
peeves of the show was the use of sub titles, I mean, the people on the show do
speak English, and I could understand them fine. To me, the use of sub-titles
subconscious reinforces the point that, “People from Mount Druitt
are from a different planet” mentality. Given that some of the participants on
the show having mental illness and issues, and going through testing
circumstances (e.g., one of the participants “Bailee” a minor who has experienced
sexual assault, drug abuse and self harm), I do question how much consideration
was given to their welfare after the show ends.
Are the shows creators going to
provide support for the participants dealing with the attention and potential
social media backlash after airing all their personal problems on live TV?
Sadly, I don not think that is going to happen, but I do applaud their bravery
for going on TV and I do feel genuine sympathy and understanding of some of the
issues that they are going through.
I have been
a resident of Mount Druitt and the surrounding suburbs all my life, having
lived in the area and attended several schools in the area (Whalan Primary,
Madang Avenue, Whalan High, Mount Druitt High and Chifley College to name a
few). I can offer my opinion of the area, is Mount Druitt really like what
“Struggle Street” makes it out to be, the definitive answer is no. Are there
good successful people in Mount
Druitt? A definite yes.
However, we do have social problems here in Mount Druitt,
and I think that the program does a good job of highlighting these issues.
Not
only do we get a glimpse of some of the personal struggles of the participants,
but also some of the problems faced by social workers and volunteers who do try
to make a difference (e.g. lack of funding to name one). It is tempting and
easy to say, that it is only an “isolated case”, or a “small minority of people
in the area”, and to focus our attention on those who are successful. Never the
less, there are still people who do fall in the cracks and get caught up in a
vicious cycle of entrenched “social disadvantage” and “drug abuse”. Growing up
in the Mount Druitt area, I have seen countless
versions and incarnations of the participants depicted on “Struggle Street”.
From families dealing
with a spouse or loved one with drug addiction, dysfunctional families, young
kids and teens with no positive role model, lack of youth facilities, people
with mental health issues with little or no recourse to support or treatment,
and trouble teens seeking to improve themselves and to make something of their
lives. I personally applaud “Chris” for his positive outlook on their life and
drive to achieve, and his efforts to reconcile with his family.
While no
community likes to have their names smeared, or have a negative perception
reinforced, “Struggle Street”
did bring to our attention the various issues that all communities face and
that would never ever receive any air time or discussion, such as mental
health, youth unemployment and lack of resources for youth and community
services groups. Now the question is, will this generate some action to be
taken to address some of the community issues raised in the “Struggle Street”
series, such as increasing resources to an already stretched and underfunded
community service, youth and support groups, or will the attention be short
lived and issues be ignore again?
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