moonglowSuch a Simple Word
February 13th 2008 05:06
Australia said sorry today. Sorry to our Indigenous people for what the Stolen Generation suffered at the hands of Australian government agencies, church missions and state acts of parliament. Sorry for years of refusing to recognise the impact these heinous crimes had on the displaced generations to follow. In 361 words, Prime Minister Rudd acknowledged the need to heal and move forward, towards a brighter future, as a unified nation.
And, of course, on the whole, this decision, this motion, this speech was received with nearly unanimous positivity and hope. That perhaps, finally, things can begin to change.
And, of course, there were those who didn't see today like that. Who didn't see the need to recognise the past nor admit how important that is for our future. Liberal MP Wilson Tuckey, who was not in the chamber for the apology, nor for the Opposition's response has said, "So the Prime Minister reads a speech, apparently some people stand up and sit down and then a miracle happens over night, there'll be no petrol sniffing ... and girls can sleep safely in the family bed at night ..."
No one said an apology would stop Aboriginal youth from sniffing petrol. No one said rape statistics would instantly lower, high instances of domestic abuse within the Aboriginal community would cease to exist. No one said miracles would happen. This is a step - a historical, momentous step in many ways - but just a step nonetheless. There is so much more to be said and done, but the ball is finally rolling. A change is in the air.
I am sorry. I am sorry that those things happened, that those crimes were committed, that our Indigenous people were degraded, humiliated and subjected to such grief. Those who argue if we are sorry for this, then why aren't we sorry for the Jewish people who were systematically murdered in Germany and Russia? Why don't we apologise for all victims of genocide and crimes against ethnicity the world over? But you see, this is my country. These people are Indigenous to a land I am extraordinarily proud to be attached to. I have a far greater investment in the wellbeing of these people. They are connected inherently and historically to the heritage of my country. To your country, Australia.
By apologising, I am not taking personal responsibility for actions I did not commit. I am not admitting personal guilt. If this is what it takes to reconcile our Indigenous people with the rest of our growing and increasingly diverse population, if this is what it takes to reconcile our country's past with our country's future, then I cannot be anything but sorry.
As a word, Sorry has so many connotations, so many synonyms, so many ways of being said. To be sorry means you are sad; it means you are regretful; it means you are expressing empathy or sympathy; it means you are apologetic. All we are doing today is finally recognising that the atrocities committed against these people, and the far flung, desolate effects felt for generations to follow, are deserved of our sympathy, of our empathy and of our sorrow.
I am sorry it has taken so long for such a simple word to be said.
And, of course, on the whole, this decision, this motion, this speech was received with nearly unanimous positivity and hope. That perhaps, finally, things can begin to change.
And, of course, there were those who didn't see today like that. Who didn't see the need to recognise the past nor admit how important that is for our future. Liberal MP Wilson Tuckey, who was not in the chamber for the apology, nor for the Opposition's response has said, "So the Prime Minister reads a speech, apparently some people stand up and sit down and then a miracle happens over night, there'll be no petrol sniffing ... and girls can sleep safely in the family bed at night ..."
No one said an apology would stop Aboriginal youth from sniffing petrol. No one said rape statistics would instantly lower, high instances of domestic abuse within the Aboriginal community would cease to exist. No one said miracles would happen. This is a step - a historical, momentous step in many ways - but just a step nonetheless. There is so much more to be said and done, but the ball is finally rolling. A change is in the air.
I am sorry. I am sorry that those things happened, that those crimes were committed, that our Indigenous people were degraded, humiliated and subjected to such grief. Those who argue if we are sorry for this, then why aren't we sorry for the Jewish people who were systematically murdered in Germany and Russia? Why don't we apologise for all victims of genocide and crimes against ethnicity the world over? But you see, this is my country. These people are Indigenous to a land I am extraordinarily proud to be attached to. I have a far greater investment in the wellbeing of these people. They are connected inherently and historically to the heritage of my country. To your country, Australia.
By apologising, I am not taking personal responsibility for actions I did not commit. I am not admitting personal guilt. If this is what it takes to reconcile our Indigenous people with the rest of our growing and increasingly diverse population, if this is what it takes to reconcile our country's past with our country's future, then I cannot be anything but sorry.
As a word, Sorry has so many connotations, so many synonyms, so many ways of being said. To be sorry means you are sad; it means you are regretful; it means you are expressing empathy or sympathy; it means you are apologetic. All we are doing today is finally recognising that the atrocities committed against these people, and the far flung, desolate effects felt for generations to follow, are deserved of our sympathy, of our empathy and of our sorrow.
I am sorry it has taken so long for such a simple word to be said.
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