In between dropping the Climber to school and taking the Cherub to swimming class, I tuned the car radio to hear our new Prime Minister apologise to the indigenous people of Australia for past injustices, crying as I listened and drove. This long overdue apology is an emotional moment in our history. And a good one. I am glad that we have finally acknowledged past wrongs, because how else can we address this issue if we never admit fault? I am glad that we are rid of the small-minded government who thought it was unnecessary for so long. I am glad to have a Prime Minister and government who realise that not only is saying sorry important but also that government is not just about business and foreign affairs, it is about our people and their rights and their welfare.
All those people who were separated from their loved ones and traumatised and made to suffer. How could we not be sorry?
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Right there with you. We put it on the TV in the office and everyone watched a bit teary-eyed.
ReplyDeleteUnfortunately, we're in the same boat. With both a horrendous history involving slavery of African natives and displacement of Native Americans. It's hard to imagine a time when people so casually ignored the freedoms of ALL people.
ReplyDeleteThe parents were invited to watch it with the students on TV at school this morning. I had to hold back the tears at some parts. (But we couldn't stay till the end as the boy was getting restless).
ReplyDeleteOur school crammed into the hall this morning to watch it on the big screen. I raced home to watch it and then arrived at Pilates just before 10am to see people with little radios attached to their gym gear and earphones in their ears.
ReplyDeleteI have taped it to watch with J and the kids later but thank you for expressing this so beautifully.
ReplyDeleteGoosebumps.
ReplyDeleteWe all needed that so badly. And Kevin was magnificent. I've had a snotty nose and red eyes all day.
ReplyDeleteMe too stomper. Cried with sadness and a feeling of ....at long bloody last!
ReplyDeleteI absolutely agree! I watched Kevin Rudd on TV, & I wept for all those wronged people. My heart swelled for the wonderful speech Kevin gave, with such heartfelt meaning.
ReplyDeleteI was so disgusted when Brendan Nelson made his speech. No wonder the people turned their back on his words.
I hope it will bring this country together in a good way.
Truly a great day for the whole of Australia.
I was glad. And proud. I wept. I am sorry. It must rank as one of the greatest days in our nation's history, and our Prime Minister made this apology with dignity, grace, conviction, eloquence, truthfulness, and emotion. He spoke for all of us, and it marks a turning point for Australia, enabling us to move further towards harmony and reconciliation.
ReplyDeleteI worked for the Parliament for more than 30 years, and this was the greatest moment I ever witnessed. If Kevin Rudd does nothing more, for this Sorry Day he will shine in our firmament. All honour to him and to this government. And all our former Prime Ministers were there, except the last, unlamented, incumbent, John Howard. Shame on him.
To see the tears of those present, as the tears fell down my own face and down the faces of so many other watchers of this apology, and to see how many had gathered in so many places all over Australia, to join in spirit and in sorrow with the Stolen Generations, was truly wonderful.
Stompermama
I was driving to work. I cried, too.
ReplyDeleteToday has been a HUGE day in history. I'm only sad this took so long.
I saw that on the BBC last night, and the interview with the woman asking that without financial compensation it's meaningless. I thought it was a significant first step in the right direction.
ReplyDeleteBest wishes
It was an amazingly emotional thing, wasn't it? It was a good day.
ReplyDeleteExactly. How could we not be sorry?
ReplyDeleteI was walking alongside a couple of grey-haired women yesterday, and overheard their conversation. One said in a sneering tone to the other, "But do you really think the Aborigines will be happy with just sorry?"
To which I really wanted to interupt and say, "It's a good start." But I didn't. I fumed inwardly instead.
I heard someone say they saw some aboriginal people with the word "thanks" on their t-shirts! An acceptance of our apology with such good humour - even though we took such a long time to say it. Such a positive thing for Australia.
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