Don’t say sorry for me, Kev…….
Posted 11 February, 2008 in Politics
Despite that our PM believes there’s a ‘blight on the nation’s soul’, I’m openly stating that I don’t feel an ounce of guilt or obligation to Aboriginal people. A ‘one-way’ apology made by the great KRudster this Wednesday will not be a reflection of how I feel or any acknowledgement of guilt on my behalf.
You see, I can’t work out what I’m supposed to be apologising for. I wasn’t there when the ‘Stolen Generations’ were ’stolen’. As I wasn’t born I can’t see how I can be complicit in this terrible act. I’m apologising for the sins of my grandfathers? I’ve never met either of them, so I wouldn’t know. Stolen land? I’ve never owned or acquired land in Australia by any means, so I’m not sure how this applies to me. I’ve never taken anything from Aboriginal people or acted improperly towards them in any way.
I’ll even go so far as to say the motivations of most of the key players are dubious. Listening to an interview with Warren Mundine this morning (on News Radio, I believe - can’t find a link) the issue of forgiveness in the form of a reply from Aborignal people was raised. This seems to be a sticky issue that doesn’t get played much by our media friends despite the Libs calling for it at one stage, also reflected by the fact that the only press our religious conservative senator Steve Fielding received on this issue was in the Geelong Advertiser. Warren Mundine objected to forgiveness on a number of grounds. Firstly, it wouldn’t be heartfelt apology if we came expecting forgiveness. Secondly, a full apology couldn’t be made from all Aborigines because one person couldn’t speak for the great diversity of Aboriginal people, unlike the Australian Parliament which speaks for all Australians. I think Warren was drawing a particularly long bow with that one. I can’t remember the rest.
I’m all for reconciliation, whatever that means, I’m just not sure it applies to me. The only conflict I’ve personally had with Aboriginal people is when they used to steal my stuff growing up near Dubbo. Relax, I’m over it, and everyone’s forgiven. I certainly don’t feel the PM needs to say it for me.
Seriously, I can agree there is a role for government here. If there needs to be some serious healing and understanding so we can move forward then quite possibly the government of the day can play a role in making this happen. But that’s the clincher - is moving forward as a nation really what this is about? I don’t think it is. The real motivation is a desire for guilt from our left-wing friends (and western Judeo-Christian society in general) to be carried as a sign of their virtue. Furthermore, our muppet of a PM and his merry party are happy to play to this to prove their own virtue; to show that they’re better than the conservative government they replaced. It’s guilt all round, so everyone dive right in and feel as bad as you need to. See someone not feeling bad and getting on with a productive life? Well then, you’re clearly the better person. From the other side, the real motivation from Aboriginal people is to get that formal acknowledgement of guilt onto the white man, in a way that can’t be negated or disregarded, by getting the PM to declare it so. Then they can be the ‘victim’ for generations to come. If an Aborigine hasn’t been ’stolen’ or had their family or friends ’stolen’ - and as far as I’m aware, most of them haven’t - then I have no problems stating that they’re simply attempting to secure their welfare future and to remain the ‘victim’ for as long as possible.
In short, if there is something that needs to be said, then I’m happy to say it. Forgive me and we’ll call it water under the bridge. I’m confident that if we work together we can build a bright future. Of course, that requires the forgiveness part and generally moral behaviour from our sunburnt brothers. I suspect that’s not what they really want, and frankly, the evidence to the contrary isn’t exactly overwhelming.
1 comment to “Don’t say sorry for me, Kev…….”
Nathan Zamprogno, February 12th, 2008 at 11:34 pm:
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Amen, and amen, Mick. I quote you on my own blog.