Why Is ‘Sorry’ Such A Dirty Word In Oz?
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February 12, 2008Ron Bradfield Jr is the blogger behind Belongum’s Blog. Ron got in touch with us some time ago and contributed to our discussion on What Is Cultural Heritage? At the moment Ron trains Youth Workers and soon he will be working with Artsource – the peak body in WA for professional artists – driving their Regional Indigenous Artists program across the state, a new challenge he’s really looking forward to. I love Ron’s latest blog…
…why is this such a dirty word in Oz?
I try not to tip into my everyday business too much in this world, but the ongoing debate about this “Sorry Business”, just does my head in. I’m going to drop the following article into your lap’s folks – as I’d like to hear your take on it.
I’m in the business of going between worlds here – between blackfellas and whitefellas – and all the ’shades of Grey’ you can imagine, coming along for the ride. I know from personal experience, the nature of racism and silly business (on BOTH sides of the fence) that occurs here in Oz. That we (Australia) had the hide to Judge South Africa in the 70’s, 80’s and 90’s for the way in which they’re government shaped their policies (and hence their populations ‘general’ behaviours), belies belief:
Pot, Pot… this is Kettle – Over!
Having said that – it does no bloody good at all attacking a people, and stabbing hard fingers of absolution into their chests. Nailing guilt – or guilt by association – into a person wins you no friends at all. I’ve conducted “cultural awareness” training on all sides of this debate, throughout many different professional (and community) spheres, and most times – people are happy to discuss this topic properly if they’re free to speak their minds, free of blame, free of ’shame’ and free of malice. Your opinion after all – remains your opinion… how you support this afterwards in relation to actual facts – is up to you.
I can tell you, that most times I’ve discussed with individuals the absolute messy myriad of topics concerning blackfellas and whitefellas in this country (in more places then you could possibly begin to imagine), we’ve reached a common consensus – and usually it’s the one that supports the strategy above. However, this has ONLY happened when people – from both sides of the fence – are allowed to speak free of fear and have their OWN say – from their OWN point of view. My own personal feel on this topic is that most people want it over and done with: Make a decision, commit to it – and MOVE ON! Most Aussies I deal with simply want to get on with living, and life. Surprise, surprise – most simply want to be able to do this together, without the political bulldust attached to it.
I’m opening the floodgates here – because I’d like to hear yours. So read on – and give me your feedback – “No names – No court martial’s”.
2 Comments
2 questions I have for you all…
If my great grandfather did something terrible to your great grandfather would I need to apologise to you on his behalf?
Should Australians seek an apologie from the Queen for being sent as convicts to such a harsh landscape all those years ago?
H
I reckon that would depend on what you feel is the right thing to do Hamish. I’m guessing your great grandfather wasn’t part of a government that legislated against an entire people, and thus sealed their fate – outside that of a mainstream society.
This is the point really. This isn’t about personal points of view this is about the decision of a government – (and subsequent decisions made not all that long ago i.e. in MY lifetime) that saw to it that Aboriginal Peoples were NOT included in mainstream society, and couldn’t grow alongside the rest of mainstream Australians to develop the same lifestyle and skills, that you yourself might enjoy today.
As Kevin Rudd is now the Prime Minister – he now represents the governmental body that made these decisions. I’m again guessing this decision making process didn’t include your great granddad.
A “Sorry” from a personal level isn’t about an onus of personal guilt. It’s really about commiserating with a people… you know a “Gee – I’m really sorry to hear that was the case”, or “that your gran died”, or “that your best friend got hurt in that car accident”. It’s about FEELING for the situation of the Indigenous Peoples of this country – not feeling GUILTY for their situation. Why should you? Do you actively make it your business to go around and put down Indigenous peoples in your community (thus maintaining the same status quo we’ve had to live through for the last two centuries), today Hamish? If not, then you don’t have anything to feel guilty about now – do you?
As to the convicts transported question… I don’t know Hamish, whilst convicts were treated cruelly and transported for – I believe – the convenience of the Crown, they arrived here, and after one hell of a struggle (this wasn’t easy on the convicts by any means – and that’s been recoginised) formed a society that decided where it was going – and how. Eventually this society formed it’s own government and decided upon it’s own society rules and norms. This is what Australia built itself upon. It was during THIS stage that they decided to rule the ‘Aborigines’ out of the picture, and thus making decisions about us based on our race being different to yours.
This action sealed our fate – and it’s THIS decision (and the ones that followed it) that we’re asking the government to say “Sorry” for. Australia (and Australians)needs to move forward with a society that lives and breathes TOGETHER – it can’t do this if it simply ignores any decisions it’s government made in it’s past.
It depends on you Hamish – it’s your choice. If you have parents or Grandparents that were treated cruelly in the World Wars by the German Forces or Japanese Forces then, you might have formed the opinion that these countries treated our soldiers very badly as prisoners.
Not all that long ago a Japanese delegation came to this country and was treated to some silent protests of condemnation (Back Turning), and an Apology was demanded of the Japanese Government for the cruel treatment of our soldiers at their hands. There was a lot of noise about that issue, and there has been for a large number of years.
How do you feel about that Hamish… should the Japanese Government of today apologise for the treatments of our soldiers then? I’m willing to bet that a large majority of Australian’s would say Yes to that question… certainly those who are close to that issue at any rate. Again though – this is up to you.
Cheers Hamish – Ta for the yarn!