Supposed People example essay topic

Australia has been a nation to pride itself on its beauty and landscape, the multicultural society and our outgoing nature. Yet a contradiction of its pride is evident in the way the nation addresses its history. Australia has long since been faced with the Aboriginal issue which has been dealt with in a manner no more than disgraceful. However, we as a nation under John Howard continue to disregard the need for change; to provide the necessary apology in order for this country to move forward and make right from the wrongful past. The wound of pain and horror from the Stolen Generation continues to cut deep into the souls of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders. The policy for the removal of Aboriginal children from their families to white homes was imposed upon generation after generation in the twentieth century.

The policy in an act of imperialism hoped the integration would eventually wipe out the Indigenous population with white values. It may be seen as the policy of assimilation, though it may also be called systematic genocide. Such atrocities have been recognized by the Aboriginals, recognized by the people and also recognized by the government, as found in Bringing Them Home, The Report of the National Inquiry into the Separation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Children from Their Families. The Inquiry found the truth of prejudice, manipulation and injustice within the Separation. Through those who personally suffered from the separation, the Commission heard 535 stories and was given over a thousand in written form. They all corroborated with one another in a way of anguish and sorrow.

A selection of the findings and stories were published in Carmel Byrd's Stolen Children. It sends a powerful message to the readers, informing them of the great carnage involved with the Separation. The publication was concerned with their loss of culture, language, loss of land, loss of family and most of all, loss of identity. These supposed people who "are to be treasured" were taken from their homes and denied of a racial heritage, even made to drink milk in a vain attempt to become white. These supposed people who "are to be treasured" were used and abused by foster and abortive families. The degree of emotional pain immeasurable and the degree of physical pain intolerable.

These supposed people who "are to be treasured" were forced to become white, yet ironically had to give up their seat on a bus if ever a white was standing. These supposed people who "are to be treasured" were deprived of a natural birth-mother, father, brother and sister. Denied of a family, a sense of identity. These supposed people who "are to be treasured" became Australia's marginalized population of bitterness, loneliness, anger, betrayal, sorrow and rejection. These supposed people who "are to be treasured" were an imperial product of exploitation.

Many Australians became aware of the contents of the Report after its publicized release to newspapers and television. Reaction of the Commission varied slightly from person to person, though all felt the heartrending pain and regret for the Indigenous People. Kim Beazley, the Opposition leader publicly wept in Parliament the day after he read the Report. .".. what the Report does detail is very different experiences, experiences of viciousness of extraordinary dimensions-experiences of sexual assault, of physical assault, of overt pressured propagandisation. This is not a matter we can sweep under the table. This is not a matter we can stand aside from".

Government, through John Howard, as a representative of the Australian people made a formal response to the Inquiry by acknowledging Australia's "blemishes."I believe that the proper basis of reconciliation is to recognize the truth about the past. To remain proud about what this country has achieved during the years of its existence, and to resolve, united together as Australians, to work towards a better and more cooperative future". John Howard What is there to be proud of if a nation cannot even apologize? To say sorry to those who have suffered intolerably in the hands of imperialists? The Government, Australia is acutely aware of the past government practices and policies, of Australia's faulting history, yet it is unable to simply give an apology in the chance that it would need to pay some amount of compensation. No amount, not even $63 million spent over four years can undo the reprehensible damage the Stolen Generation has caused to Indigenous Peoples.

An apology waits the Government decades after it too late.