Apology to Australia's "Stolen Generation"

Apologies play a very important role in our society. Many conflicts occur which leave people in pain and hurt. By saying a genuine apology, the people could be consoled. Though and apology would never make the people who suffered forget their past, it would at least comfort their feelings that the other side feels sorry and wants forgiveness. It would make them realize that the other side is concerned about their welfare and does not support the deeds of their side.

Most people in Australia, even in the 21st century thought that an apology wasn’t required. The ex-Prime Minister, John Howard had denied from saying sorry to the aboriginals and got the support of the majority of Australians. Kevin Rudd, the current PM of Australia was the first person who said a formal sorry to the Aborigines. In Kevin Rudd’s Apology to the aboriginals and their lost generation, it is evident that he does not support what the colonizers had done by separating the aboriginal children from their families, in order to wipe out their race. By apologizing for something he hasn’t done, he shows sympathy towards “The Stolen Generation” and their relatives. He conveys the message that the “past mistreatment” of the aboriginals was unjust and they didn’t deserve that. He refers to that time being the “blemished chapter in national history” which shows that not only does he feel that it was unjust but also feels guilty. By calling the aboriginals as “fellow Australians” he gives them equal status and respect unlike of what the colonizers did. This proves that he clearly disapproves what the colonizers had done. By saying sorry for the “indignity and degradation inflicted on the proud people and their culture,” he turns a “new page” in Australian history. He showed sympathy and affection towards the colonized people in his speech, and disagreed with the views of the colonizers towards which led to the ill treatment and torture of the Aborigines. The main mission of the colonizers to breed out the Aborigines was to give them equal respect in the society. By apologizing to them, Kevin Rudd has proved that they do not need to be bred out, they do have equal respect by being the way they are.

The painting done by Mandy Nicholson, “Assimilation,” clearly shows the intense sufferings of the Aborigines and the decline of their culture. In the very symbolic painting, the English were represented by the Grim Reaper, cultures waiting to come from behind and destroy theirs. The painter represented the churches as the horse with a frail body and a strong head which tells about its false attempts to 'help' or 'civilize' them but all it did was slowly destroying their identity. The painting tells how the English came and slowly over took the land of the Aborigines and destroyed their culture. By Kevin Rudd apologizing to the Aborigines and their “Stolen Generation,” the Aborigines probably feel better as they have been given equal status and respect in the society.

Though the apology wouldn’t erase the pain and hurt the Aboriginals suffered, at least they would erase the scars. It would make them realize that they are no longer inferior. Also the successors of the colonizers, now living in Australia, would feel light-hearted as they have at last repented for their actions.This apology would definitely help Australia to progress with a stronger bond with the Aborigines as the misunderstandings between both the groups should have decreased and thus could work together peacefully.


Sources - Kevin Rudd Apology (video), Assimilation
Photo - fromyouflowers.com