A Very Important Day.

[logansrogue]

Today the Australian Government apologised to the Aboriginal People of Australia for everything we've inflicted upon them since we arrived. I remember first hearing about saying sorry, and I didn't get it, but I was only a kid. I grew older, and finally I understood - but we still hadn't said sorry yet.

And now, we finally have. I am so glad in my heart. It's not going to fix all the problems, but it's a damned good start down a necessary road. And I want say it, for myself. To all the indigenous Australians and Islanders. Even though I'm only First Generation and it wasn't my ancestors that did these things. I'm white. I'm part of the dominant privileged social subset. So I'll say it.

I am SO very, very sorry. For *everything* you've been through.

But more than that - if there's a way to make things better for Indigenous Australians - letter writing, voting a particular way, supporting a campaign or a charity - I'll do it. It is time to make changes.

I watched Kevin Rudd's speech. Never have I wanted to hump a politician's leg MORE in my life. And Brendon Nelson? YOU'RE A FUCKING COCK-SUCKER! Seriously, man! You managed to make my mother, a stalwart Liberal voter, to not only LIKE Kevin Rudd (at least more than she did), but DISLIKE your party! Gah! It's like Liberals are ASKING for people to hate them or something! LOL!

Comments

[greenforest-elf.livejournal.com]

I wanna kick Tuckey in the balls if I ever see him!

Thanks for posting this, I am reassured at least some of my flist mates have their heads screwed on right!!!!!!

[logansrogue.livejournal.com]

Aww, thanks darl! I cried when he said it. I don't know why. Just seeing the looks on the Indigenous Australian's faces... *sigh*. Something like relief, and a lot of grief and a bit of something else I couldn't really describe. I just wanted to hug each and every one of them and apologise for it taking so long to happen.

[greenforest-elf.livejournal.com]

I know what you mean, I also wanted to shout 'sorry' for it taking so damn long to happen!!

If anyone can see the emotions from the Indigenous people and say that it wasnt needed - well they really need to move countries as they shouldnt stay in this wonderful place!!!!

I am shocked at comments/posts from *some* people on my flist, it made me rearrange my filters somewhat because I dont need ignorant rednecks in my life!!

*hugs*

[http://users.livejournal.com/lothar_/]

I was heartened to hear about this. When I heard that the Stolen Generation continued into the 1960s, it took me aback a bit. Hopefully this will lead to some genuine changes for a terribly oppressed people.

Over here, I know the state of Kansas is considering a similar resolution for Native Americans, and of all things a Republican senator is introducing an apology bill in the Senate. The closest that Congress has gotten to addressing the issue and the President signing onto it is the Apology Resolution of 1993, but that was an apology to Native Hawaiians, not Native Americans. And even if an apology passes, it's going to state very clearly that it cannot be used to make claims against the United States or any state. In short, here it would be a start of words, and words are important and do aid the healing process, but I'm not sure what it will accomplish in the jobs-and-opportunity department if anything.