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Australia is officially Sorry
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Many years ago white people went out into the deserts where the Aboriginal communities lived in remote outposts and country towns where they lived and took children from their families. The families often never saw those children again and they were put into foster homes or became wards of the state. At least 100,00 children were taken this way, often by force.
The previous government, led by John Howard, a notoriously stubborn bigot, refused hundreds of times over the years to requests from the Aboriginal community and many other Australians of all backgrounds to formally apologise for the misery & suffering caused, and especially to use the word 'sorry'.
Today, Australia's new Prime Minister, on the second day of parliament, did so and invited the oppostion Liberal Party to help the government devise a strategy to eliminate Aboriginal poverty. Quite a thing.
In a country where the indiginous population have been treated as third class citizens, a bit of 'sorry' may go a long way towards healing. I hope so. The outporing of emotion, especially from those affected , was overwhelming.
The very first thing Kevin Rudd on becoming P.M. did, about a week in, was sign Kyoto. Something else Howard refused to do.
You can read the apology here: link | |
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02/13/08
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timmo
About two years ago or so I got to work on a documentary related to Aboriginal (lack of) education in rural areas. I was lucky enough to interview a bunch of people who were part of the "lost generation". The living conditions and the poverty I saw were just beyond my comprehension. Perhaps equally moving were the people who were committed to helping the Aboriginal people. So even though I have very little to do with Australia this is of course good news.
Here is info on some of the places I shot at, everyone should go to Queensland!
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02/13/08
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nicknotis
Congratulations Australia for this apology, for signing Kyoto, and for getting rid of douche bag John Howard. Now I hope Rudd is able to find ways of improving Aboriginal education.
02/13/08
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monty
most countries have there share of unspeakable acts of brutality.
you cant change the past, but i suppose acknowledging it is a step to building a better world.
(and making real changes in the present)
btw
On behalf of Scotland, I personally apologise for Wet Wet Wet.
02/13/08
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jogn
i thought they were ok ... mucho better than brother beyond.
02/13/08
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midgetfidget
It feels really weird to agree with your leader, i was 16 when howard came into power at that time i was only just becoming politically aware, and howard is a giant douche.
Although i do remember former PM Paul Keating's Redfern Address, which is quite amazing when you listen to it after 11 years of right-wing conservatism, you get a sense of what opportunities were lost and the real cost of the howard government to indigenous australians.
Molasar, Which direction was this anger aimed? I realise a lot of australians are racist, but this apology has a large majority of public support.
I had a friend in cologne ask me about the stolen generations when i was travelling last year, and i became too angry and upset to talk about it, but only because i couldn't articulate my disappointment and anger at the (then howard) australian government for their inaction, and actively racist policies.
02/13/08
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midgetfidget
i also stumbled across this recently, might be of interest:
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A local musician, Kutcha Edwards giving his account of his experiences as a member of the stolen generation.
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