Louis was
born Warren, to the Braedon family in Alice Springs. As part of the government
policy that applied for the welfare of children, he was removed from his
family, adopted by a white family and renamed Louis Johnson. He had a loving
and nurturing upbringing with his adoptive family but as a teenager, decided to
try and find his biological family and understand his background. At the time
of the adoption, his adoptive parents were told he was not wanted by his birth
mother, but the Johnsons came to know the truth and tried to help him find his birth
family. Before he could meet them, he
was shockingly murdered by some white youths who killed him because they had
decided to murder a black person that day. He was killed on his nineteenth
birthday.
Originally
published as part of a larger book, this short book of 80 pages concentrates on
this one story. Detailing the changing government policies and social attitudes
that affected his life, it is told in plain almost stark language. The authors
are experienced in researching and understanding indigenous history, and tell a
strong and sad story. Extensively annotated and including a list of sources and
suggested further study resources, this book illuminates a sadly significant
part of our history.
Wendy
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