AustLit

'1988 will be like any other year when it comes to memorable occasions, with the opportunists already out in their droves snatching the chance to capitalise on fake glory. There is also a vast number of devout anti-Bi-centennialists hatching clever excuses to justify their "rip them off first before they rip us off anymore" attitude. For black writers this may be far more difficult to carry out than for their comrades in other artistic areas. Black screen-printers, actors, dancers, musicians, painters, and not to forget the small (often community-based) artefact enterprises, among other occupations, have the moral armoury to accept and get away with Bi-centenary money without compromising their principles. (Secretly, the money is despised but has a way of talking in 601 different languages in Australia nowadays.)'