Should PM Howard say sorry to the indigenous peoples of Australia?
People shouldn't have to assume guilt or be made to feel guilty for what their ancestors have done. Aboriginal people don't need sympathy. We need recognition and respect and a willingness on the part of mainstream Australia to work together to reconcile our differences and create a nation where Aboriginal people are empowered to participate in a united future that respects and acknowledges all of our past heritage and respects and works on the basis of our rights as the Indigenous peoples of this country.Well, yes I did mean a governmental apology. It doesn't have to be a 'we're sorry'. That would be indeed ridiculous. We can't be sorry for something we didn't do. But how about a 'we're sorry that our ancestors did this to you?'.
And who cares about the compensation? It's exactly the same excuse that the Japanese government uses to not pay 'comfort' women.
If not now, then when are we going to get a sorry?
That's a rather cynical view, one that I disagree with. It's the government's job to look after Aboriginal health and education, and historically the federal government has just failed them. Only recently have they bothered to fix up alcohol and sex abuses.So, if a meaningful and sincere Sorry is said, and compensation is paid (incidentally, I agree with this) will the Aboriginal people get on with their lives and make a meaningful contribution to society, as is expected of every other citizen of this country? Or will they continue as they have done in the recent past, blaming every one else in this generation while excusing themselves from all responsibility? I'm sorry but it has to be said.
Is there anything wrong with sympathy and compassion?People shouldn't have to assume guilt or be made to feel guilty for what their ancestors have done. Aboriginal people don't need sympathy. We need recognition and respect and a willingness on the part of mainstream Australia to work together to reconcile our differences and create a nation where Aboriginal people are empowered to participate in a united future that respects and acknowledges all of our past heritage and respects and works on the basis of our rights as the Indigenous peoples of this country.
It's not an admission of guilt. It is the patronising sympathy that I dislike. If it's not your fault, why are you sorry for it? We don't need people, let alone the Government, to feel sorry for us. We need people to recognise us and respect us and our rights as the original inhabitants of this country. Acknowledge the past, yes. Express regret for what has happened in the past, yes. Show a desire to work together for the future, yes. But sympathy is not going to get us anywhere at all.Is there anything wrong with sympathy and compassion?
"I'm sorry that previous governments did horrible things to the Aboriginal Peoples of Australia."
I don't understand how that could be seen as an admission of guilt.
That wasn't really my point. All Australian people, and the Government officially, should recognise and respect Aboriginal people as the original inhabitants of this country, regardless of whether or not they feel we have earned their respect. Besides the fact that they should respect us as fellow human beings, we should have also earned their respect by virtue of the fact that they are living on and benefiting from our lands. The fact that this basic respect and acknowledgement has not been given to Aboriginal peoples has led to the loss of dignity and to many of the problems that plague Aboriginal peoples today. These effects are now so deep-seated and rooted in Aboriginal society that it will take a lot of time, effort, and resources on the part of both Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal Australians to correct them and empower Aboriginal people to take charge of our own destiny and participate more fully in the united future of this country.and that, PJW is exactly what I am trying to express, Thank You. Respect earns dignity. Dignity deserves respect. Respect can only be earned.
It's not an admission of guilt. It is the patronising sympathy that I dislike. If it's not your fault, why are you sorry for it? We don't need people, let alone the Government, to feel sorry for us. We need people to recognise us and respect us and our rights as the original inhabitants of this country. Acknowledge the past, yes. Express regret for what has happened in the past, yes. Show a desire to work together for the future, yes. But sympathy is not going to get us anywhere at all.
That wasn't really my point. All Australian people, and the Government officially, should recognise and respect Aboriginal people as the original inhabitants of this country, regardless of whether or not they feel we have earned their respect. Besides the fact that they should respect us as fellow human beings, we should have also earned their respect by virtue of the fact that they are living on and benefiting from our lands. The fact that this basic respect and acknowledgement has not been given to Aboriginal peoples has led to the loss of dignity and to many of the problems that plague Aboriginal peoples today. These effects are now so deep-seated and rooted in Aboriginal society that it will take a lot of time, effort, and resources on the part of both Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal Australians to correct them and empower Aboriginal people to take charge of our own destiny and participate more fully in the united future of this country.
tigercub said:JH forgot a few other events too
People shouldn't have to assume guilt or be made to feel guilty for what their ancestors have done. Aboriginal people don't need sympathy. We need recognition and respect and a willingness on the part of mainstream Australia to work together to reconcile our differences and create a nation where Aboriginal people are empowered to participate in a united future that respects and acknowledges all of our past heritage and respects and works on the basis of our rights as the Indigenous peoples of this country.
I think actually making it compulsory to learn Aboriginal history is important. I remember when we did as part of Modern History and everyone just groaned...
Well so we should...we should be ashamed of what was done to them in the past. We should at least recognise and acknowledge what happened at teach it.