Rabbit Proof Fence - Stolen Generation

[newtaste]

Reply to lost question from Lady Bug

The movie ‘Rabbit Proof Fence’ is about the so-called 'Stolen Generation'. And the fact is, various Australian Christian churches were complicit with the state and Australian governments in removing Aboriginal children from their parents. Most children seemed to have been removed simply because it was deemed they would be better off away from their Aboriginal parents. The churches had the best intenions. Some of the churches have issued apologies for what happened. Some children no doubt survived beyond the average age expectancy because they were removed and raised in a white environment.

I'm sure there are exaggerations in the movie, like there are in many movies. It was made from a left-wing point of view, is sympathetic to the Aboriginals story, and was widely criticised by right-wing commentators. I've seen it and it is difficult to watch, but it is a good movie. I doubt you will stumble if you watch it. No one except Jesus is perfect. The churches are not perfect. Just watch it with an open mind and accept that yes it probably does 'twist the facts'.

The so-called 'Stolen Generation' is also one of the themes of the Baz Lurhman movie 'Australia'. The churches don't get a mention in 'Australia'.

 

[Lady Bug]

thank you for retrieving this

I have changed my mind about viewing the movie for now. Someone had given a link in the thread that got lost in the crash - it had the word Bennelong in the name of the website and by looking at it, I would like to postpone the viewing of the movie because it seems a bit one-sided for me at this time

 

[bliz]

...it seems a bit one-sided for me at this time

Do you think there should be someone supporting the rights of the goverment to literally rip these children from their families? I'd love to hear those arguments!

 

[Lady Bug]

Do you think there should be someone supporting the rights of the goverment to literally rip these children from their families?

I'm backing out of this thread b/c I don't know what to think of this whole situation anymore and b/c I don't want to accidentally offend anyone and my head is going to explode

 

[newtaste]

...and my head is going to explode

Please don't let that happen!

God Bless

 

[k2svpete]

Do you think there should be someone supporting the rights of the goverment to literally rip these children from their families? I'd love to hear those arguments!

There was a whole lot more to it than that. It was largely an application of the child welfare law that applied to the rest of the country to the aboriginals. All though this relatively short period there were kids from european famillies also being removed and placed into care.

Don't go blindly swallowing the leftie propaganda without doing some research for yourself.

 

[bliz]

There was a whole lot more to it than that. It was largely an application of the child welfare law that applied to the rest of the country to the aboriginals. All though this relatively short period there were kids from european famillies also being removed and placed into care.

Don't go blindly swallowing the leftie propaganda without doing some research for yourself.

Wait, let's see if I get it now - if children of European origin were being taken from their families, too, that makes it OK that Aboriginal children were taken from their families?

It is not right that any child be taken from their parents unless that is necessary to protect the child. This is not a left or right, liberal or conservative matter.

 

[redcliffesalvo]

Yep great movie based on true story doubt there is much exageration in this one. Is a dark chapter in the history of our country and we needto acknowledge the mistakes of past generations even though we cant brush the mistakes over all people of the period. just want to make note are you sure you didnt fall asleep before the last part of Baz Luhrmans Australia, the church was in there did you misss it.

 

[TheDag]

There was a whole lot more to it than that. It was largely an application of the child welfare law that applied to the rest of the country to the aboriginals. All though this relatively short period there were kids from european famillies also being removed and placed into care.

Don't go blindly swallowing the leftie propaganda without doing some research for yourself.

If this was a law that applied to everybody why was the law concerning aboriginals put into the opium act. In other words there was a law about drug trade and into that they inserted the law about removing aboriginal children simply because they were aboriginal. Because we have a new computer I no longer have a copy of the opium law. However i did read it for myself when I was told about it and found it to be true. This is not simply propaganda. For european children they were not removed based solely on their race.

Of course stolen wages is yet another whole mess that needs to be sorted out.


I am sure there are some exaggerations in rabbit proof fence just like any other movie based on a true story. The Sound of Music is a great example. The Von Trapps actually rode a train out of the country while in the movie they went over the mountains by foot.

 

[Monarchist]

What the average Christian here does not understand is that Aboriginals are not entirely human. Evolution hasnt given them the full faculties that we whites have. Taking them from there parents was and still is a good idea.

Crikey thats got your blood boiling hasnt it.
Seriously that is what Darwinism taught, and many people who called themselves Christians accepted that philosophy. Yes its evil\satanic even, abhorrent, but the Irish, American Indians, Gypsy's, Jews Chinese,and countless other races have dealt with genocides since.

Do you believe in evolution?

and just so there are no misunderstandings. I believe we are all Sons and Daughters of Adam and Eve. Not are we just equals, we are family.

 

[DavinMochrie]

It shouldn't, but ignorant racism always surprises me.

People put so much energy into hating the 'other', because they fear they will lose their privileged position in society, or maybe 'injustice to a group of people' threatens that person's social myths?

People like to be self righteous and think they worked hard or they earned what they have in life.

It's rare for people to acknowledge their good fortune.

Far easier to to be racist.

 

[oneofthem]

I haven't read everything here, but i strongly recommend the 7 part documentary series available online (for free) on the SBS website called "The First Australians".

I personally found it very balanced and very confronting. Alot of this stuff is not taught at school but should be.

Go to www.sbs.com.au, then click on "full episodes", and it will be on the list on the right-hand side.

 

[Lady Bug]

I haven't read everything here, but i strongly recommend the 7 part documentary series available online (for free) on the SBS website called "The First Australians".

I personally found it very balanced and very confronting. Alot of this stuff is not taught at school but should be.

Go to www.sbs.com.au, then click on "full episodes", and it will be on the list on the right-hand side.

Wow I hope to be able to look at this soon. My home computer is so not good for this type of download, but I hope to be on a public one Monday or Tuesday. I hope the link is available by then and is not one of those links that disappears over time, like a news story does.

 

[TheDag]

What the average Christian here does not understand is that Aboriginals are not entirely human. Evolution hasnt given them the full faculties that we whites have. Taking them from there parents was and still is a good idea.

Sadly many hard line christians took passages out of context and used the bible to justify this belief as well. They certainly did not believe in evolution or dawinism.

 

[k2svpete]

You'll find very few 'bleeding hearts' among those people who live in areas such as; Darwin, Townsville and FNQ, Perth, Adelaide and other remote areas.

Perhaps those who have never lived in those areas may wish to do some research as to why.

 

[Lady Bug]

ok I've come back to this thread to talk about the movie again LOL.

I'll explain other reasons for my reservations to watch this movie.

Now I may be wrong, but judging from reviews I see from Amazon, the "moral" of the movie is that we are not supposed to believe that Christianity is right for everyone, and that our spiritual beliefs may be good for us but not necessarily for others.

That doesn't mean that I like the WAY that Christianity was brought to the people but I can't say that I oppose someone learning Christianity - the latter of which I feel the movie wants us to believe.

I hope I don't offend

 

[timbo81]

ya I gave you that link before the website crashed.


Peter Howson and Des Moore: A Rabbit-proof Fence Full of Holes

I think it's a disgrace the movie was even made and portrayed as truth when you are alerted to the real facts.

 

[Lady Bug]

hey timbo THAT indeed is the link I bookmarked and I had forgotten WHO it was who gave it to me but now I remember LOL. thanks.

 

[timbo81]

ok no probs.

 

[newtaste]

Not sure I want to comment further on this, even though i restarted the thread.

Up till five years ago I was a pretty much a racist. Then I met my now best friend who is of Indian origin, was born in Zambia, was raised in New Zealand, and who is a Hindu at heart though non-practising. From learning about her life, the problems she had as a child and teenager being subjected to racist taunts, and meeting her friends from other cultures, had made me more tolerant. And when I was saved last year, my feelings changed in a lot of ways, and I am now far more accepting.

I'm trying to follow the example of Jesus in accepting others. And i'm trying not to judge. I'm not always successful though...

Does not mean I do not enjoy a good discussion.