Tomorrow the much discussed and wanted day arrives. We have prepared at school to mark this occasion. Megan at Imaginif describes a brilliant way of making it real. If you want to learn more about this historic impending event, the National Sorry Day Council website could provide further information. I’m sorry.
Popularity: 59% [?]
Many people think saying sorry is not the right way. One has to think of the consequences of it. Compensation will be demanded, more and more people will turn up claiming to belong to the ‘stolen generations’. I published a different kind of apology at
http://www.darwinnewsblog.com/?p=687
And here is a true letter from another person.
http://www.darwinnewsblog.com/?p=695
And here is something else to think about.
http://www.darwinnewsblog.com/?p=698
In my opinion this ‘apology’ opens a door for more trouble then we have ever had in our country.
I disagree John, however you have your opinion and I realise others share it. I guess there is bitterness, which is what happens when there is low trust. I wasn’t sure whether or not to publish your comment to be honest. A rift always continues when there is no apology. I don’t know what the consequences will be, but nor do you really. I envisage different things to you.
It is great to see that you accept free speech and did publish my opinion.
We can only hope that this apology does not backfire.
My view is that the apology and compensation are two different things and need to be kept separate in discussions – a bit like child support and a parents right to see their children.
People of the stolen generation may well seek compensation. Good for them I say. They deserve some recompense for the suffering they endured. Other assault victims are eligible for compensation if their perpetrator is found guilty.
Wages for Indigenous soldiers was a basic human right that eventually was recognised and some recompense made. Land rights and native title took years to be sorted (and is still being sorted). Today we begin a process by saying “sorry”. No amount of sorrow or money can ever change the pain that white Australian policies inflicted upon families of our first nations people.
It’s interesting, I was doing some looking around yesterday and there have already been some compensation cases go through before this. The apology has no bearing, in my opinion, on whether or not compensation will/should be paid. And personally I don’t see why victims (and make no mistake that’s what they are) shouldn’t be entitled to compensation anyhow.