The meaning of 'sorry'
Posted on the campaign blog ,
February 7th, 2008
On 4 February, Helen Moran, Co-Chair of National Sorry Day Inc spoke with GetUp about the parliament's upcoming apology to the Stolen Generations.
Helen MoranGetUp: Why is the apology so important?
Helen: It is an opportunity to acknowledge, recognise and take responsibility for the effects and consequences of what happened - an apology is an absolute necessity. Significantly it provides comfort and healing to the Stolen Generations as individuals themselves.
What does the apology mean to you personally Helen?
Well, I think the enormity of the situation we're now in struck me yesterday as I was quietly driving back from the south coast. I was suddenly overwhelmed by a sense of appreciation of what Kevin Rudd is going to do and what that will mean to myself, my family and other Stolen Generations' survivors. It will allow the way forward on a journey toward healing, not only for Indigenous Australians but also for the broader community.
What do you have to say to people who oppose the apology or say that it is meaningless?
When people are aware and the right knowledge is made available to them they will have a more informed understanding. It is also essential that people understand the spill-over into the broader community - that includes not only indigenous but non-indigenous families who were also affected. I would like to reach out to people, ask them to look at this from their heart and soul and to draw on their humanity, to put themselves in the position of the Stolen Generations. Understanding the reality of the emotional, psychological and physical effects on real people is crucial, these issues are trans-generational. We are dealing with the consequences today.
What can Getup! members do?
To help themselves and others to understand the debate is crucial. The word 'sorry' has been misused and misrepresented so much by the past government over the last 10 years that its meaning has become confused. Nowhere in the recommendations of the 'Bringing Them Home' report does it say for any individuals to take responsibility or say sorry. The apology is about enabling a process of healing and reconciliation. The Stolen Generations and the nation as a whole need the apology to be linked to acknowledgement, prevention, rehabilitation, reconstitution and also compensation. This goes way beyond monetary compensation, for example the return of identity, land and essential human rights. Personally I've been fighting a non-responsive Government on the issue for the last 10 years - I've been in fight mode - I don't need to fight anymore or come from a negative space. To create a partnership of support and success is what I want and to assist the government in fulfilling its promise to a comprehensive response to the 'Bringing Them Home' report. I see the apology as the first step towards that. We don't need to be on the other side of the fence to the Government anymore. We can work with them by giving them the opportunity to work with us.
297 comments
February 7th, 2008
I am appalled that the press is giving the opposition so much coverage on the puerile statements. It even looks as if they are backing the bastards.
As for disapproving of the name Stolen Generation, as one bright eyed Polly did today, surely that issue is a fait accompli.
Of course the apology must occur and soon and wholeheartedly and not with a grudging mean spirited approach.