Amidst a world that is thoroughly thrusting the Black Lives Matter movement forward, Darlow shares his thoughts on educating ourselves about the fight for Indigenous people.
With a career in the music world spanning across 17 years, Yorta Yorta descendent Scott Darlow not only shines through the powerful tunes he creates, but also serves as an inspiring educator on the plight of First Nations people, with the aims of encouraging both unity and equality amongst Australians.
From sharing stories of education in schools, to using his own social media platforms to highlight key issues Indigenous Australians still face today, Scott Darlow shines as a beacon of influence, keen to inspire both First Nations people and other citizens of Australia, alike.
“The history lesson that I give during my presentations helps join the dots, and helps audiences to understand why we now live in a country that sees First Nation men die a decade younger than everyone else, why our Indigenous kids are ten times more likely to go to prison than to finish school, and why we don’t see nearly enough First Nation people finishing school or going to uni.
“It completely helps explain why the gap isn’t closing – and that understanding leads to empathy.”
With four records currently under his belt, Darlow has sold over 50,000 albums worldwide, while extensively touring both Australia and Asia, as well as the United States by singing, rocking on guitar, and including his signature didgeridoo playing.
By being both an incredible musician as well as a passionate Indigenous activist, his message of the importance of education and harmony is unparalleled. By using his key world, “FLUTE” (Forgiveness, Love, Understanding, Tolerance and Empathy), Darlow stands tall as an immense inspiration to all Australians.
Check out Scott Darlow sharing his thoughts on National Reconciliation Week:
https://youtu.be/ARF3eMqdMjM
His most recent tune, released earlier this month, sees Scott Darlow pair up with Birds Of Tokyo and Karnivool vocalist Ian Kenny to create ‘You Can’t See Black In The Dark’ – a track that boasts itself as an emotionally charged Australian rock anthem.
Combined with riveting instrumentation, ‘You Can’t See Black In The Dark’ stands as a powerful track that carries an immensely important message with the hopes of educating Australians about First Nations people.
“’Can’t See Black in The Dark’ is about our relationship as a people, and our need to be educated. The need to really sit and listen to our First Nations brothers and sisters and let their stories and heart really permeate our consciousness and begin to reshape the narrative and personality we have as a nation,” Darlow states on the song.
“This song means a huge amount to me. It’s my heart. I spend 100 days a year in high schools all over Australia educating teens and teachers about the real history of our country and the truth about the current climate First Nation Australians live in.
“This song is about saying ‘you can’t see black in the dark, let’s get educated.’ Education leads to understanding, understanding leads to empathy and empathy is what brings change. It’s time for us all to sit and listen with open ears and hearts, bias aside and understand each other truly, and begin to actually heal as a planet.”
Having Ian Kenny at his side, Darlow shares the message that he and Kenny convey together: “If you look at the history of my music, you’ll see that a constant in my message is ‘were all one mob, Australians together living on sacred ground’. I really believe it, so Kenny was asked because he’s not First Nations, but his heart is for us to listen and learn together and grow and heal together. I love that about him, he’s a rad dude. And he’s the songbird of his generation.”
Amongst a background of driving guitars and kicking beats accompanied by the didgeridoo, Darlow and Kenny ignite a fire with their lyrics: “I’m not blinded by the sins of the past / We’re burning but we never struck a match / We’re gonna make a fire from this spark /We’re gonna light it up / You can’t see black in the dark.”
Check out Scott Darlow’s ‘You Can’t See Black In The Dark (feat. Ian Kelly)’:
As the Black Lives Matter movement is at the forefront of headlines right now, Australians, and citizens across the globe alike, are thinking evermore on what they can do to help protect persons of colour amidst those who want to break them down.
For Scott Darlow, he notes that this monumental time we’re currently living through amidst both COVID-19 and the Black Lives Matter movement is “something we will all talk about in years to come” where he believes “it’s a time where we can all do a little to help each other.”
From his own perspective as a First Nations person, Darlow notes that the biggest things we can do stem from three key points: being responsible for our own learning, being prepared to listen and hear truths from another person’s perspective, and donating where we’re able.
“I meet adults all the time who after hearing me speak about Australian history and reconciliation, comment ‘I never learned this in school’ or ‘I never knew any of this stuff’,” Darlow details.
“My response is to kindly remind them that we live with the most advanced technology in human history, and we all have documentaries, history books and encyclopaedias on our mobile phones. So let’s actually start being proactive learners, with the realisation that education leads to understanding, and understanding leads to empathy, and empathy is what brings change.”
Secondly, Darlow notes that listening to the stories that people share of the plight of First Nations people is extremely important “even if that truth makes you feel uncomfortable.”
Pointing out that there are great resources like the stories shared through Australians Together, Darlow states that “listening is key through this time. We have 2 ears and one mouth. Listen in that proportion.”
Finally, another way to support First Nations people is to “give your hard earned” if you’re able to: “There are some amazing NGO’s out there that are doing great work helping First Nations kids finish school, get educated, TAFE, get trained up for jobs. The Wirrpanda Foundation is one. World Vision Australia have a program called The Australia Program that specifically helps First Nations kids finish school, using the ‘Young Mobs’ program.”
