Marguerite
Active Member
Today was a momentous occasion. After years of lobbying and outright refusal by our previous Prime Minister, today the Aboriginal people of Australia heard the word they've been asking for. Sorry.
The previous PM was VERY determined to not say sorry. His reasons - he wasn't personally responsible. I get that. But when interest rates rose because the Reserve Bank was trying to slow the economy, he said to the people, "Sorry about that." But he wasn't any more responsible for the interest rates. It was becoming increasingly clear that his reason for refusal was to block any claims for compensation.
What happened to the Aboriginal people was the result of bad laws being carried out by good people, for what seemed to be good reasons. But the outcome - not good. Yes, some received better health care and education, but almost always at the expense of access to family and culture. The whole lot was based on wrong ideas, a belief that the Aboriginal people would die out and "we should at least try to save the half-castes". I remember a documentary TV program (I must have been in high school) where they were discussing the problem of "half-castes in foster homes" who were rejected by both black and white communities. "Their own families reject them for being half-caste," the program said. We now know this was not true. That TV program still has a reputation for being extremely accurate - but this, they got badly wrong.
In 1967 Australia had a referendum, to decide whether Aborigines should be granted citizenship. It had a resounding 97% "yes" vote. What a lot of us didn't realise at the time, was that prior to this referendum, Aboriginal welfare was managed by the Flora and Fauna Department. Legally, before 1967, they were "fauna". Animals. Of course, we manage our livestock with compassion and consideration. But I was horrified to learn this.
That was 41 years ago.
Today was the first day of Parliament for our new government. We had been told that the "sorry" statement was being prepared, so everybody was ready. Large screens were set up, Parliament was televised for the first hour so everybody could hear. This is Australian history in the making. Crowds gathered - indigenous people plus a lot of sympathetic non-indigenous.
Our Prime Minister's words were welcomed. And then the leader of the Opposition spoke - he leads the same party which for so long refused to allow the word. But today - bipartisan support.
Unfortunately, due to the long refusal over the past 12 years, his speech was not well received. Many didn't hear it, with indignant cries of "get him off!"
A pity - it was good to hear him speaking for his entire party in also saying, "sorry."
A lot of Aussies are in favour of this. A lot are not. They interviewed some people this evening whose job it was to work with the children in the Missions. These workers were good people, they loved the kids and the kids loved them. But ALL of it was done for the wrong reasons, in the wrong way. It is hard to reconcile that.
I went to school with Mission kids. At the time I was told, "They're being given a chance at a decent education; their families live to far from schools etc."
I was not told that they were never allowed to see their families again. And although we mingled at school, we never were able to meet up with them outside school. No play dates permitted.
Generally they left school as soon as they were old enough to hold down a job. I never knew that. I thought the smarter ones would be allowed to continue, like we did. I think of some of those kids, really bright at lessons, brilliant at sport. Were they ever permitted to follow their dreams? I doubt it.
I thought I was enlightened. When my kids went to an inner city school with a high Aboriginal enrolment I learnt a lot more. Suddenly all my questions about the Mission kids were being answered. The "stolen generation" is what they were now being called. A thing of the past to be ashamed of, many enlightened whites were saying. But the parents of my kids' classmates told me - "It's been happening in these days too."
Today that was acknowledged. Today the rift begins to heal.
Yes, they will want compensation. The wording of today's message was designed to leave that door shut, but only so the message would be more palatable to people. Maybe soon, compensation will be on the agenda, in a sensible way.
I suspect today is going to be a regularly celebrated day in our history.
I strongly believe it is a change for the better. And my family reunion this weekend will be very interesting, because I'm sure the feeling will NOT be unanimous.
Despite opinions to the contrary, our country is moving forward.
Marg
The previous PM was VERY determined to not say sorry. His reasons - he wasn't personally responsible. I get that. But when interest rates rose because the Reserve Bank was trying to slow the economy, he said to the people, "Sorry about that." But he wasn't any more responsible for the interest rates. It was becoming increasingly clear that his reason for refusal was to block any claims for compensation.
What happened to the Aboriginal people was the result of bad laws being carried out by good people, for what seemed to be good reasons. But the outcome - not good. Yes, some received better health care and education, but almost always at the expense of access to family and culture. The whole lot was based on wrong ideas, a belief that the Aboriginal people would die out and "we should at least try to save the half-castes". I remember a documentary TV program (I must have been in high school) where they were discussing the problem of "half-castes in foster homes" who were rejected by both black and white communities. "Their own families reject them for being half-caste," the program said. We now know this was not true. That TV program still has a reputation for being extremely accurate - but this, they got badly wrong.
In 1967 Australia had a referendum, to decide whether Aborigines should be granted citizenship. It had a resounding 97% "yes" vote. What a lot of us didn't realise at the time, was that prior to this referendum, Aboriginal welfare was managed by the Flora and Fauna Department. Legally, before 1967, they were "fauna". Animals. Of course, we manage our livestock with compassion and consideration. But I was horrified to learn this.
That was 41 years ago.
Today was the first day of Parliament for our new government. We had been told that the "sorry" statement was being prepared, so everybody was ready. Large screens were set up, Parliament was televised for the first hour so everybody could hear. This is Australian history in the making. Crowds gathered - indigenous people plus a lot of sympathetic non-indigenous.
Our Prime Minister's words were welcomed. And then the leader of the Opposition spoke - he leads the same party which for so long refused to allow the word. But today - bipartisan support.
Unfortunately, due to the long refusal over the past 12 years, his speech was not well received. Many didn't hear it, with indignant cries of "get him off!"
A pity - it was good to hear him speaking for his entire party in also saying, "sorry."
A lot of Aussies are in favour of this. A lot are not. They interviewed some people this evening whose job it was to work with the children in the Missions. These workers were good people, they loved the kids and the kids loved them. But ALL of it was done for the wrong reasons, in the wrong way. It is hard to reconcile that.
I went to school with Mission kids. At the time I was told, "They're being given a chance at a decent education; their families live to far from schools etc."
I was not told that they were never allowed to see their families again. And although we mingled at school, we never were able to meet up with them outside school. No play dates permitted.
Generally they left school as soon as they were old enough to hold down a job. I never knew that. I thought the smarter ones would be allowed to continue, like we did. I think of some of those kids, really bright at lessons, brilliant at sport. Were they ever permitted to follow their dreams? I doubt it.
I thought I was enlightened. When my kids went to an inner city school with a high Aboriginal enrolment I learnt a lot more. Suddenly all my questions about the Mission kids were being answered. The "stolen generation" is what they were now being called. A thing of the past to be ashamed of, many enlightened whites were saying. But the parents of my kids' classmates told me - "It's been happening in these days too."
Today that was acknowledged. Today the rift begins to heal.
Yes, they will want compensation. The wording of today's message was designed to leave that door shut, but only so the message would be more palatable to people. Maybe soon, compensation will be on the agenda, in a sensible way.
I suspect today is going to be a regularly celebrated day in our history.
I strongly believe it is a change for the better. And my family reunion this weekend will be very interesting, because I'm sure the feeling will NOT be unanimous.
Despite opinions to the contrary, our country is moving forward.
Marg
