Aboriginal Male Perceptions of Racism and the Culture of Intimidation

This paper is the outcome of PhD research conducted by the researcher. It shows that Aboriginal men confront a range of barriers to mainstream health care that are not experienced by non-Aboriginal men. These barriers are historical in nature yet continue to be the main influence in their use of these services and as such using these services is not a straight forward process. In the main it shows that they possess strong perceptions of racism that is based on entrenched stereotypes about them. It also shows that they have developed their own responses to these stereotypes that is unique to them and is shared by Aboriginal people from different cultural and socio-economic backgrounds. The paper provides an insightful awareness of how Aboriginal men cope with perceptions of racism in contemporary Australia.