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Thread: Australia finally says "Sorry".

  1. #1
    MsQwerty
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    Default Australia finally says "Sorry".

    Today is a very important day in Australia. Our (new) Prime Minister is apologizing to Aboriginal people for past wrong doings, in particular to those effected by what is known as The Stolen Generations.
    Its not known how many Aboriginal children were forcibly taken from their families, but their stories are often horrendous not to mention the terrible grieving and suffering their families were left with.


    Yesterday our Parliment opened for the first time ever with an Aboriginal welcome. It was very moving. I really hope this is the beginning of some real change for Aboriginal people in this country.


    This is how the apology is worded:

    "Today we honour the Indigenous peoples of this land, the oldest continuing cultures in human history.

    "We reflect on their past mistreatment.

    "We reflect in particular on the mistreatment of those who were stolen generations - this blemished chapter in our nation's history.

    "The time has now come for the nation to turn a new page in Australia's history by righting the wrongs of the past and so moving forward with confidence to the future.

    "We apologise for the laws and policies of successive Parliaments and governments that have inflicted profound grief, suffering and loss on these our fellow Australians.

    "We apologise especially for the removal of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children from their families, their communities and their country.

    "For the pain, suffering and hurt of these stolen generations, their descendants and for their families left behind, we say sorry.

    "To the mothers and the fathers, the brothers and the sisters, for the breaking up of families and communities, we say sorry.

    "And for the indignity and degradation thus inflicted on a proud people and a proud culture, we say sorry.

    "We the Parliament of Australia respectfully request that this apology be received in the spirit in which it is offered as part of the healing of the nation.

    "For the future we take heart; resolving that this new page in the history of our great continent can now be written.

    "We today take this first step by acknowledging the past and laying claim to a future that embraces all Australians.

    "A future where this Parliament resolves that the injustices of the past must never, never happen again.

    "A future where we harness the determination of all Australians, Indigenous and non-Indigenous, to close the gap that lies between us in life expectancy, educational achievement and economic opportunity.

    "A future where we embrace the possibility of new solutions to enduring problems where old approaches have failed. A future based on mutual respect, mutual resolve and mutual responsibility.

    "A future where all Australians, whatever their origins, are truly equal partners, with equal opportunities and with an equal stake in shaping the next chapter in the history of this great country, Australia."

  2. #2
    God/dess Lysondra's Avatar
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    Default Re: Australia finally says "Sorry".

    Yes, the address to the country is today! I can't believe how well Kevin Rudd is standing up for the country with his only just recent voting into office. I am so proud. <3


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    Default Re: Australia finally says "Sorry".

    That is a very moving speech of contrition and reconciliation. Canada shares a sad history with Australia with respect to the treatment of our First Nations. We've taken some small steps as you have to put it right. Jean Chretien's final request to parliament before leaving was about this very same important issue. We have to do better by these people.

    Good for you Australia.
    hb

  4. #4
    MsQwerty
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    Default Re: Australia finally says "Sorry".

    You know I never thought Id say this about any politition but I am pleased with Kevin too and so far I like him! (Not just for this!) I hope he continues to do good.

    Quote Originally Posted by Lysondra View Post
    Yes, the address to the country is today! I can't believe how well Kevin Rudd is standing up for the country with his only just recent voting into office. I am so proud. <3

  5. #5
    MsQwerty
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    Default Re: Australia finally says "Sorry".

    Thank you!
    I really hope that in 20 years time we can look back and say "Yes, things really have changed for the better."



    Quote Originally Posted by hockeybobby View Post
    That is a very moving speech of contrition and reconciliation. Canada shares a sad history with Australia with respect to the treatment of our First Nations. We've taken some small steps as you have to put it right. Jean Chretien's final request to parliament before leaving was about this very same important issue. We have to do better by these people.

    Good for you Australia.
    hb

  6. #6
    Yekhefah
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    Default Re: Australia finally says "Sorry".

    And this is meant to accomplish what, exactly?

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    Default Re: Australia finally says "Sorry".

    Quote Originally Posted by Yekhefah View Post
    And this is meant to accomplish what, exactly?
    Well Yekhefah, they can't undo what's been done; but they can apologise, and pledge to make amends. It's kind of like if you wrong a friend and break both your hearts in the process. It's mending a broken heart on a national scale. IMHO
    hb

  8. #8
    MsQwerty
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    Default Re: Australia finally says "Sorry".

    Oh come on Yekhefah, youre an intelligent woman and I know youre sensitive to the Jewish cause, have a guess.

    Quote Originally Posted by Yekhefah View Post
    And this is meant to accomplish what, exactly?

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    Default Re: Australia finally says "Sorry".

    The nation making an official apology legitimizes the issue in the minds of the people. As long as it's backed by policy, I think this is a beautiful first step toward reconciliation.

    The U.S. is long overdue for such a thing, but I am not holding my breath. I think it would mean so much just to hear, "We've fucked you over for 500 years and we are sorry. We don't want to do it anymore."

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    Default Re: Australia finally says "Sorry".

    Australia just needs to figure out how to get the Aboriginals casinos. Since native americans have gotten them you would be shocked to see how many people have stood up and announced how proud they are of there "indian" heritage.

    Seriously though I'm glad to see Australia stand up and do this and I hope they don't stop there. I also hope other countries will follow suit. The US included, they have a lot they need to do.

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    Default Re: Australia finally says "Sorry".

    I just wrote this in the random thread becaue my caffeine hasn't kicked in and I didn't bother to look for a relevent thread, y'all can spank me later.


    --->Ok, I just shed tears over Kevin Rudd's sorry speech.
    With the wonderful indigenous people I grew up with around me I took it upon myself to sign the sorry book a decade ago.
    It makes me so happy that our government can finally acknowledge the past atrocities and we can move forward from this point and hopefully lessen the divide. It's a step in the right direction.
    Today is a good day.

    XXXXXXXXXXXXXXS

  12. #12
    MsQwerty
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    Default Re: Australia finally says "Sorry".

    Ive just been watching it - am still watching it on tv. The appology notion has been passed, hurraaayyy!!!!
    It must be one of the liveliest days in and outside parliament, huge crowds watching it live outside, fantastic.

    The opposition leader also said sorry during his speech which is quite the turn around for that party. Apparently three quarters of the crowd turned their back on him about half way through his speech though, but over all the feeling of today is one of celebration and hope for a brighter future.

    Its a very significant day for Aboriginal people, its about healing.
    Now the effort is going to be made to close the gap of the differences between white and black Australia to bring their health, education and life expectancy up to the same level as ours. It might be a long journey for some but the important thing is that it starts now and that we move forward.

    I am very sorry for what has happened to Aboriginal people over the last 2020 years. The attempted genocide, or sometimes they were even hunted like animals for "sport", beaten, raped, tortured, murdered, driven from their home lands and food supplies, denied the right to practice or continue their culture, ridiculed, used as a source of slave labor and as if all of that wasnt bad enough already so many of the children were taken away by force. Not for a better life but just to be stuck in missions or at best white homes often in racist surroundings regardless. The children were often beaten and raped, lied to, not fed properly, and used as a cheap source of labour. I am deeply sorry that this ever happened. Im deeply sorry that it happened so often and for so long (up until the early 1970s in some parts of Australia.)

    I am also deeply sorry that many of our indigenous people are living in 3rd world conditions (some classified as 4th world conditions by the World health Organisation (ie WORSE than 3rd world conditions) only just over a decade ago) I cant ever truely be a proud Australian until this changes, but Im very heartened and moved by what is happening today (-:

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    Default Re: Australia finally says "Sorry".

    Where are you watching it? Link? Pretty please?

    XS

  14. #14
    MsQwerty
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    Default Re: Australia finally says "Sorry".

    ABC tv, its been broadcasted live.

    Edited to add link

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    Default Re: Australia finally says "Sorry".

    yes, I just watched it and this is a wonderful gesture by the PM. It's not going to correct 200 years of wrongs, but it's a totally positive move.

    I am sorry for what happened to our aboriginals.

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    Default Re: Australia finally says "Sorry".

    Thanks honey, I found it but can only get part 1 for some reason.

    I get so emotional over indigenous issues,this makes me very happy.

    XXXS

  17. #17
    MsQwerty
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    Default Re: Australia finally says "Sorry".

    ^^^Me too, the history is so disgraceful and its very sad. I always feel terrible when I finish work and then have to walk to my accommodation past a noticable number homeless Aboriginal people sleeping rough on the street. What I loved about today and yesterdays broadcast especially was that so many Aboriginal faces were shown on tv and they were shown as intelligent, beautiful people with much to contribute to society - ordinary people. It did cross my mind though when I recognised some of the more prominent Aboriginal spokes people that it has been a mighty long time since Ive seen them in the media!
    Maybe there will be some clips on youtube as the day goes on. When I was in NZ I found that I wasnt able to access some of the ABC site, it annoyed me!

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    Featured Member aussiebelle's Avatar
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    Default Re: Australia finally says "Sorry".

    I'm so happy this is happening today. It's so good that although Kevin Rudd has only been in office for 3 months he is already achieved a number of significant things that many Australians have wanted for so long.

    I never could really understand why Howard couldn't say sorry for the country's sad history. It just seems so simple yet makes a difference to so many.
    Some mistakes are too much fun to only make once.

  19. #19
    Yekhefah
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    Default Re: Australia finally says "Sorry".

    I guess I still don't see what this is supposed to accomplish other than assuage a little white guilt. Like MsQwerty said, I'm Jewish, but if the German government just stood up and said "we're sorry for the Shoah" I would still ask what the point was. I think we as a (white, western) society place too much importance on apologies when they're just words.

    I mean, I guess it's a nice gesture, but the aboriginals who were murdered won't come back to life, the children of the Lost Generation won't get their families back, and the countless homeless alcoholic aboriginals are still going to be homeless alcoholics tomorrow morning. So what exactly is the point of this? To make Kevin Rudd look like a nice, sensitive guy?

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    God/dess Lysondra's Avatar
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    Default Re: Australia finally says "Sorry".

    I think it means a lot to the aboriginals. One of the reasons the government wasnt apologizing was because that would be admitting they did something wrong. And Mr. Howard would never do that. Also, admitting they did wrong also opens up the fact that now they pretty much have to fix and compensate for the problems they caused because of the Lost Generation. The aboriginals wanted this apology for a long time - it meant a lot to them. It meant they weren't being told nothing happened, that the government really did acknowledge what happened and that there will be amends to those who were hurt that can make the country grow.

    Admitting and apologizing was the first step.


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  21. #21
    Yekhefah
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    Default Re: Australia finally says "Sorry".

    The first step to what though? I'm not trying to be obtuse, I'm really asking. Don't they already get free rides to any university (except Bond)? Don't they have a ton of programs? Isn't the government building them houses and everything? It's not like Australia is still taking their children and killing them, so what next? FORCE them to go to uni when they don't want to, or what?

    Maybe I'm just too practical for politics. I don't know.

  22. #22
    Darcy Foxx
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    Default Re: Australia finally says "Sorry".

    Quote Originally Posted by Yekhefah View Post
    I guess I still don't see what this is supposed to accomplish other than assuage a little white guilt. Like MsQwerty said, I'm Jewish, but if the German government just stood up and said "we're sorry for the Shoah" I would still ask what the point was. I think we as a (white, western) society place too much importance on apologies when they're just words.

    I mean, I guess it's a nice gesture, but the aboriginals who were murdered won't come back to life, the children of the Lost Generation won't get their families back, and the countless homeless alcoholic aboriginals are still going to be homeless alcoholics tomorrow morning. So what exactly is the point of this? To make Kevin Rudd look like a nice, sensitive guy?
    i know it's totally the unpopular opinion but i'm right there with you. i just do not understand it at all. everyone is going on about it but i just don't understand what saying, "oh, sorry bout stealing those kids, even though it wasn't actually me who stole them and the people who did are long dead and i'm probably not even a blood descendent of them anyway" is going to achieve. i just don't get it.

  23. #23
    Yekhefah
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    Default Re: Australia finally says "Sorry".

    Well thanks, I'm glad it's not just me.

  24. #24
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    Default Re: Australia finally says "Sorry".

    The Aboriginals asked for an apology years ago and were denied. They wanted one and that's what is important, since they are the ones who were wronged.

    Hopefully it will lead to a better future for Aboriginals.

    I posted this topic in the lounge and was informed that there was a thread in here.
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    Default Re: Australia finally says "Sorry".

    Quote Originally Posted by Yekhefah View Post
    The first step to what though? I'm not trying to be obtuse, I'm really asking. Don't they already get free rides to any university (except Bond)? Don't they have a ton of programs? Isn't the government building them houses and everything? It's not like Australia is still taking their children and killing them, so what next? FORCE them to go to uni when they don't want to, or what?

    Maybe I'm just too practical for politics. I don't know.
    Have you ever apologized for something, anything?

    What did it accomplish? Did it change what happened? Did it erase it?

    No, but it is still an important gesture. In this situation it's just one real big apology. The apology is also unconditional "we fucked up, we shouldn't ahve done it, we have no excuse". That, along with the scale, is what makes people take this as more than just a "sorry".

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