(Untitled)

[aikiariyen]

Let me first begin with congratulating Mr Rudd on a stirring speech. While I understand the need for the apology, I am concerned it may open up a can of worms in some things.

"Today we honour the Indigenous peoples of this land, the oldest continuing cultures in human history

Comments

[cutselvage]

I like the speech and your analysis - nice job. :)

(But your tag is showing... :D)

[aikiariyen]

Thanks darlin'. The rain is getting to the joints a bit so will go and tuck my tag in.

[rydaine]

Not just a pretty face, my dear. I liked your analysis, objectively critical.

The start of the speech: "the oldest continuing cultures in human history" rubbed me slightly the wrong way though. I'll not argue that it's one of the oldest continuing cultures, but that makes it sound like the one when we know that isn't quite true.

♥

[pretty_uglygirl]

I didn't get to see the speech, and was barely aware that they'd decided to do it today. I'm also pretty neutral on the issue itself, but glad I got to read the speech in italics, so thanks.

Hey curious, whats your non-fanage about the term 'Stolen Generation'? Lol, I only ask b'cause I was quite shocked when I discovered that some journo idiot (Andrew Bolt, I'm sure neither of us are fans) actually "denies" that there was a stolen generation. I didnt waste anymore seconds of my life reading on to see if there was a valid reason in there somewhere but I'm curious to here what you think :p

I'm concerned about this bit. The wording is ambiguous enough that it could be used to argue that a child who is being abused (in whatever way), or has a family incapable of taking care of him/her, should not be removed from their family/community at all - even if it is for their own personal safety.I don't have any concerns about this part at all. There is nothing in the speech which refers in anyway whatsoever to any other child apart from those

[aikiariyen]

Stolen Generation: I don't think that the moniker quite fits, seeing as 'stolen' implies illegality and, as Mr Rudd said - it was legal at the time. I guess 'The Forcibly Removed Generation' doesn't quite have the same ring to it.

Perhaps it's the accountant in me that picks up on it, but even if it's worded a certain way, people will say that the interpretation is really x when it should be y and so therefore it applies to them too and damn well let them have the exemption/compensation/you can't take away the child I've allowed be abused multipe times because you're no longer allowed to remove indigenous children because you said sorry.

It's most specifically this sentece:
We apologise especially for the removal of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children from their families, their communities and their country.