In 1967, about 90 percent of the national electorate voted in favor of amending clauses of the Australian Constitution concerning Aboriginal people. Most assumed their vote on this referendum automatically conferred full citizenship rights, corrected abuses and made the Commonwealth assume responsibility for Aboriginal affairs. However, Attwood (history, Monash U.) and Makus (Jewish civilization, Australian Centre for the Study of Jewish Civilization) point out that the constitutional changes called for in the referendum did none of these things. They describe the progress made in the ten years since their first edition, but also show what more needs to be done despite activists' best efforts. Particularly compelling are the narratives the authors have collected of those who have sorted out the myths from the reality and continue to agitate. Distributed in the US by ISBS. Annotation 2007 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)
