The Apology and a comment
Today Prime Minister Kevin Rudd’s apology motion was tabled in the AustralianParliament. In part he said:
"The time has now come for the nation to turn a new page in Australia’s history by righting the wrongs of the past and so moving forward with confidence to the future.
We apologise for the laws and policies of successive Parliaments and governments that have inflicted profound grief, suffering and loss on these our fellow Australians.
We apologise especially for the removal of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children from their families, their communities and their country.
For the pain, suffering and hurt of these Stolen Generations, their descendants and for their families left behind, we say sorry.
To the mothers and fathers, the brothers and sisters, for the breaking up of families and communities, we say sorry.
And for the indignity and degradation thus inflicted on a proud people and a proud culture, we say sorry."
This is the end of the white blindfold approach to our post-colonial history, in that it acknowledges that white Australia does indeed have a black history.
It signals the end of the history wars and provides the opportunity for a new beginning in the journey towards reconciliation.
It demonstrates a shared understanding of our common history and it requires from us all a shared hope and vision for renewal towards our common future.
White fella jump up!
