Deadly Unna : Social Issues

This essay will cover the social issues that Phillip Gwynne raises in the text, ‘Deadly Unna’. Throughout the text, Phillip Gwynne explores the complex issue of racism towards indigenous people. Whilst this is an important issue, belonging is more so, as it covers both racism, and a host of other issues in contemporary society. Belonging in the community of ‘The Port’ is difficult for the indigenous population of ‘The Point’, as the only time they interact is playing football. In all other circumstances, people from ‘The Port’ don’t want anything to do with them, as they have made harsh, racist judgements. When racism is about, sexism usually follows and ‘Deadly Unna’ is no exception, sexism is a major social issue covered by Phillip Gwynne. Feeling like you belong in a family, is an important part in growing up, and Blacky’s relationship with his father causes the issue of intimacy in a family to be brought up.
Racism is a very evident point in the text, with the conflict between ‘The Port’, the white part of town, and ‘The Point’, where the indigenous people live. When Blacky meets Dumby, and he begins to like him, he still continues acting as though he hates him, as he is ‘used to it, I suppose. It was easier to stay like that.’ (pg 26). This demonstrates that in ‘The Port’, the racial discrimination is passed down through the generations, and children are simply brought up thinking that they are better than the indigenous people. Blacky is used to hating them, he has done it all his life, because that’s just the way it was. This makes it difficult for the indigenous population to belong in ‘The Port’, as people who haven’t even met them, already hate them based on the colour of their skin, and the way everyone else acts towards them, they simply aren’t given a chance.
Sexism is covered often and thoroughly during the text, ‘Deadly Unna’. A particular example of this is Blacky’s Mum, who is a tactical genius at football, but is underestimated, because there is