🌿 (buffy)² 🌿 reviewed Holocaust Island by Graeme Dixon (UQP Black Australian writers)
Holocaust Island - Unapologetic, Heartfelt, Resolute
5 stars
Holocaust Island by Graeme Dixon is a collection of poetry written during his time in prison. While the poems were penned decades ago, their themes remain relevant today. The collection serves as a plea for Aboriginal justice, addressing issues like Black deaths in custody and the ongoing fight for Land Rights—struggles that continue to resonate within contemporary Australia. These poems bear witness to the lasting effects of British Imperialism, illustrating how colonization’s legacy persists in systemic injustices faced by Indigenous communities.
Dixon’s work is heartfelt, sharing his grief, loss, and resistance. He writes about the impact of Indigenous deaths in custody, painting a picture of his personal grief over losing his brothers. Through his words, Dixon sheds light on the generational trauma caused by colonization and institutional violence, bringing readers face-to-face with the reality of contemporary Australia.
While a lot of the poems are about prison, grief and resistance, Dixon …
Holocaust Island by Graeme Dixon is a collection of poetry written during his time in prison. While the poems were penned decades ago, their themes remain relevant today. The collection serves as a plea for Aboriginal justice, addressing issues like Black deaths in custody and the ongoing fight for Land Rights—struggles that continue to resonate within contemporary Australia. These poems bear witness to the lasting effects of British Imperialism, illustrating how colonization’s legacy persists in systemic injustices faced by Indigenous communities.
Dixon’s work is heartfelt, sharing his grief, loss, and resistance. He writes about the impact of Indigenous deaths in custody, painting a picture of his personal grief over losing his brothers. Through his words, Dixon sheds light on the generational trauma caused by colonization and institutional violence, bringing readers face-to-face with the reality of contemporary Australia.
While a lot of the poems are about prison, grief and resistance, Dixon also offers glimpses of love and tenderness. Among the heavier poems, the piece for his wife, Sharmaine, feels like a rare moment of light, it sparkles with tenderness and care, offering a counterbalance to the collection’s heavier themes.
Holocaust Island isn’t written as a plea for sympathy, instead, it’s an unapologetic look at colonial Australia and the lasting scars of imperialism. Dixon doesn’t sugarcoat his words or frame his experiences for the comfort of his audience. His poetry confronts systemic injustices and personal grief with raw honesty, forcing readers to grapple with the brutal truth of Indigenous dispossession, deaths in custody, and cultural erasure.
This collection captures the anger, grief, and resilience of someone who has lived through the generational trauma inflicted by colonization. While the pain in these poems is palpable, so too is the strength and resistance. Holocaust Island is not just a historical document or a personal testimony—it’s a call to action for accountability, recognition, and justice.