Reuniting Of Meehan With Her Birth Mother example essay topic

The Generations of Aboriginal people who were stolen from their families between 1910 and 1970 make up a group of people who are not only rejected from white society as being inferior and socially unacceptable, but who are also shunned by their indigenous kinsmen for much the same reasons. The article "A passage home", by Elizabeth Scott of 'Alive' magazine, describes the struggle of one such person, Donna Meehan. Meehan was a "stolen child". As a young child, she was taken away from her Aboriginal family to be raised by white parents. She talks about coming to terms with the painful separation, reuniting with her family and finding God. As a member of the stolen generation, the article portrays Meehan as part of the significant grey area of indigenous Australians who found no quarter with Aboriginal or white Australians.

"She'd often wonder: Why did they let me go? Was there something wrong with me?" The common sentiment at the time was to "keep Australia white... Kids at school would tease her and tell her to wash out the black with Ajax". The recurring focus of the article is Meehan's turning to God. It aims to show that unlike other indigenous Australians belonging to the stolen generations, Meehan has chosen to deal with her struggle in a unique way. The title "A Passage Home" suggests not only the rediscovering of her indigenous origins, but also the rekindling of her spiritual centre through her faith in the Lord, "I used to think that God couldn't use me because I was broken.

But that's where his strength really is". The reuniting of Meehan with her birth mother, Beatrice Welsh "marked another new beginning for Donna". The last sentence of that paragraph linking back to the title, describing Meehan as the last of Welsh's offspring to "return home". The folly of philanthropy was that in many instances it worked a little too well.

The article describes what must be shared by many of the stolen generation as a severe loss of identity, which in Aboriginal spirituality is almost inextricably linked to community. "We weren't coming together at all as a people, we weren't even citizens, and media reports were always negative and racist". A common assumption is that many of the white parents were to blame. The article attempts to make clear that this wasn't necessarily the case, and in Meehan's case, it wasn't. "The family moved around from place to place... She grew to love her adoptive parents deeply".

The theme of "unconditional love" is expressed throughout the article. Meehan's white parents and husband Ron show unconditional love and support that transcends racial boundaries. The unconditional patience and acceptance possessed of her birth mother. Her own unconditional love and understanding of white and indigenous cultures as well as the support of her Christian friends. Most important of these though, is the unconditional love given and received by Meehan and the Lord. "The Lord has taught me that when you learn unconditional love, you really start shining for him".

The article tells us that Meehan believes God to be the source of the many opportunities she benefited from in life. It is true that she has achieved where many before her have failed, neglected or become indifferent. Indeed the central issue to the stolen generation tragedy is reconciliation, the article suggests that what better a person to find a sense of identity with than God, as he will accept you when all others reject. And what better a person to reconcile with, as he will listen when others will not. "Christians are to be the role models of society - living examples of reconciliation". The article presents a personalised and informative approach to what is seen by many as a heavily biased issue, one of the many reasons it will not resolve any time soon.

The composer chooses not to single out any particular party, instead choosing to focus on the true victims and how they cope. It focuses on the now and does not waste time reopening old wounds, instead promoting the thing that matters, unconditional love. The composers work itself is unbiased, acting as a literal voice directing the true hopes and aspirations of Donna Meehan. Although it does not provide responders with the information necessary for them to empathize with Meehan from an Aboriginal perspective. It supports and expresses Meehan's belief that with unconditional love, this understanding is of secondary importance.