Off Topic: Reconciliation at last for the Aboriginal people of Australia
I’m really happy to see the positive (and actual) steps being taken by the new Rudd (Labour) government today to finally apologize – and officially acknowledge to the Aboriginal people of Australia the immense wrong that was done to them.
The recently ousted Liberal government’s 10 year refusal to say ‘Sorry’ has been one of many embarrassing things of late – where I sometimes feel ‘ashamed’ to be an Australian (along with the involvement in the Iraq invasion, the refusal to agree to environmental pacts like Kyoto – and the appalling treatment of asylum seekers and political refugees).
If you’re a reader from overseas (and have never heard of this matter before) – for some more information – please see this article from news.com.au - Kevin Rudd Apologises to Stolen Generations
(the caption below from their front page sums it up quite well.)
" Sorry … Kevin Rudd has apologised for the "profound grief, suffering and loss" inflicted on generations of indigenous Australians"
Also for some more context – an award winning movie called Rabit Proof Fence (made in 2002) touches on some of what went on (from the perspective of 3 young aboriginal children) – and might be available in your country. (and worth a watch to understand just how shocking the treatment of Aboriginals was in the past – and most shockingly occurred right up until about 25 years ago).
Hopefully – it’s a sign of good/better things to come in Australia – and that we didn’t trade-off our economy – to get this privilege (by voting Labour in – who are not known to be the best at managing the financial state of the country).
mobilewares
I couldn’t have put it better myself…on a side note congratulations on BigScreen Weather V2
warren13
Heath
February 13, 2008 at 5:07 am
Having flown to Canberra (and back) today for work it was great to see the number of people heading there to be present for the speech. It really is shocking how some people have been treated and not really discussed in Australian schools (at least not when I went through… admittedly a couple of decades ago now :-S )
Richard
February 13, 2008 at 7:17 am
Hey – shame you didn’t get a chance to get to the gathering there (and myself to federation square). I was watching the footage on the 7:30 report and it looked truely amazing… (If i was ever in charge of the holiday roster – I’d move Australia Day to be celebrated on Feb 13th…)
At school it was the same for me (70′s, 80′s for me too).. we heard all sorts of stories about injustices everywhere else (holocost etc) – but nothing about what happened to Australia’s indiginous people.. I heard that it’s going to become part of school carriculum now (the stolen generation part at least).
Niall
February 13, 2008 at 10:26 am