For those Australian’s out in the Bubble world who have switch on the tv in the last week two you will be aware of the governments decision to appologise to the Stolen Generations of Australia’s Aboriginal peoples.
In the spirit of reconcillation (as an indigenous australian myself) I would like to invite all interested members of Red Bubble to show there support and create there own Sorry Statement and upload it to the Aboriginal Art group ” and with abit of luck the powers at red bubble will also pick up this idea and theme the home page in the spirit of reconcillation.
Please feel free to share this with other bubble members – it would be great to see a ground swell happening & I will make sure that many of the elders that I know will see your sorry statements on Feb 13th.
If you need to find a reason to say Sorry read below:
THis is an exerpt from an e-mail I recieved recently.
From Crikey:
Mythbusters: ten sorry excuses exploded
Editor of The National Indigenous Times Chris Graham writes:
There’s nothing like a little ‘sorry’ debate to get white Australia all red and puffy. Here’s a punter’s guide to exploding 10 of the more virulent myths surrounding a national apology to members of the Stolen Generations:
It was done by a previous generation.
Not correct. Of all the Stolen Generations myths, this is the biggest. If it were “previous generations”, then surely there’d be no-one left to apologize to? The facts are that the removal of Aboriginal children continued well into the 1960s and early 1970s. It’s worth noting it was absolutely raging during the late 1950s, when a small, lispy man named John Howard was serving as president of the NSW Young Liberals.
Saying sorry won’t deliver better results in health, housing or education.
Here’s a surprising revelation for you—saying sorry is not supposed to deliver health, housing and education. Equally, saying sorry won’t prevent governments from delivering health, housing and education. This particular objection is perhaps the dumbest of them all and is run by conservatives like Warren Mundine, Noel Pearson and The Australian. Its fundamental flaw is that it relies on the premise that Australia is so backward as a nation we can’t deliver practical outcomes while simultaneously delivering symbolic gestures. In other words, we can’t walk and chew gum at the same time.
I will not be made to feel guilt and shame for something I didn’t do.
In the case of younger Australians who were not alive during the removal practices, the word ‘Sorry’ does not have to be an expression of shame or guilt. It can be an expression of empathy, as in ‘I’m sorry to hear your mum died’ or ‘I’m sorry you got hurt in that car accident’. Personally, I was born in 1972 when government started to abandon the removal policies. I don’t feel shame at my personal actions, but I do feel shame at the actions of my country. As for older Australians, many claim ‘I had nothing to do with it’. Well, that’s part of the problem – bad things happen when good people stay silent. The point is not that older Australians participated in the removal process, but that they did nothing to stop it. Saying ‘But I didn’t know it was happening’ is certainly more than sufficient to keep you out of a court of law, but it’s not enough to excuse you from a collective national apology. If you’re still confused on this front, you might recall that several years ago, John Howard apologized to Vietnam Veterans for their treatment when they returned from the war. Again, having been born in 1972, I didn’t mistreat Vietnam Veterans. But I had absolutely no problem with the PM saying sorry to them on my behalf, because I am sorry (and I ashamed for my nation) that they were treated so poorly.
Some Aboriginal leaders have said an apology is not important.
Sure, but almost every one of them (hi Warren, hi Noel!) are not members of the Stolen Generations. Their views on whether or not an apology is warranted are no more or less relevant than your or my view… because none of us are victims.
Aboriginal people can’t even agree on an apology.
Wow, Aboriginal people have this amazing thing called ‘independent thought’. The facts are that some members of the Stolen Generations don’t want an apology. That’s their right. But the overwhelming majority do. That’s also their right.
It costs us nothing.
Contrary to popular opinion, a national apology will have no legal affect on the capacity of members of the Stolen Generations to seek compensation. As a nation, an apology costs us nothing. Period.
I didn’t do it!
No, you didn’t. But you certainly benefited from it. Just as all Australians today, even some black Australians (hi Noel, hi Warren!) have directly benefited from the theft of Aboriginal land, all Australians have benefited from the removal of Aboriginal children. Why? Because almost all children who were removed to government institutions were then forced to work for the government or private citizens for little or no pay. In America, they called that process slavery. In Australia, we called it ‘apprenticeships’.
In December 2006, both the federal parliament released a report supported by the ALP and the Liberals acknowledging the stolen wages scandal.
The people who performed the removals were good people who did a bad thing.
Big f-cking deal. Good people do bad things all the time, but that doesn’t mean they’re excused from apologising.
It won’t affect white Australia, so why worry?
The removals practice AND the use of this issue by John Howard as a race wedge is a stain on white Australia’s recent past. Just as Aboriginal people need an apology to move on, white Australia needs to apologise to move on.
Saying sorry won’t change the past.
Sadly, it won’t. But it will have a massive impact on the future. That’s the whole point. A real apology will mean an enormous amount to Aboriginal people. I still can’t fathom what sort of a nation would deny them one.
Thanks in advance.
Bianca Beetson
(Pinkstinks)
bellebuckley, 8 months ago
woohoo
Naomi Mawson, 8 months ago
It’s a very exciting day indeed Bianca. I look forward to the day when I won’t feel ashamed to call myself an Australian.
I had to laugh tonight on the news when the leader of the Liberal party was all sooky because Kevin won’t show him the sorry speech. “If anyone need to see this speech it’s me”
Can you believe the arrogance of him? I think we need to call him Johny Howard Jnr !
gonewalkabout, 8 months ago
well put bianaca, i couldn’t agree more. As a collective country many injustices were carried out against the aboriginals, and there is nothing wrong with apologising for those past wrongs that were carried out under a white government in the name of australia
Gregory John O..., 8 months ago
I feel that it would have more weight if the Australian government finally ratified the UN Convention ( Declaration ) on the Rights of the Indigenous Person. They would then have to undo the intervention that has recently occured and robbed so many of so much.
pinkstinks, 8 months ago
dear Gregory John O’Flaherty
I agree completely but the governement would have to change there current constitution to include Aboriginal Australian’s – currently we are not even a apart of the Australian constution.
Juilee Pryor, 8 months ago
Its going to be a great day Bianca. about time too. next the flag. get rid of that bit in the corner and put in a dot style southern cross and it would be wonderful. I hope you have a really fantastic day.
pinkstinks, 8 months ago
I am actually heading to Melbourne for the announcement of an art award which I have been shortlisted for (final 12) The work that I put in is my Sorry painting – so hopefully everything will be in alignment and I have an extra superday, because it was a difficult decision to make as I have a lot of elders who also need my suppport on this emotional day.
WENDY BANDURSK..., 8 months ago
I am so proud that this moment has finally come. To my mind it has been obvious that it is going to take someone with empathy and the guts to stand up and create history in such a significant manner as a public ‘sorry;. I think its wonderful and such an important moment for ALL Australians….. and i support this totally.Now the constitutional changes can begin to happen and i agree the UN Convention ( Declaration ) on the Rights of the Indigenous Person needs to be Ratified. Its about time. I have some redreaming art i will put in … love from an Australian in NY.
BillyLee, 8 months ago
I am going into the city Federation Sqaure for the occassion with my Art college group. We are going to be there and celebrate this small step in the right direction for Australia and the Indigenous People who have been mistreated in our past history.
pinkstinks in reply to BillyLee’s comment, 8 months ago
What time is the Federation square event happening as I am going to be in Melbourne for the day.
Andy73, 8 months ago
I am so pleased that this small step, that means so much has finally arrived. I hope that this speach delivers what it should, some closure and the beginning of a new journey. I wish you the best Bianca, and congratulations on finally getting this very deserving day.
Juilee Pryor, 8 months ago
Well come the day….. tomorrow a new day for us all to step foward into…. I’m going to be wearing my fantastic Aria doodle tee shirt all day. Its one of pinkstinks designs and its a beauty. I wore it in Antactica recently because its just so totally Australian and I was proud to be Australian and proud to wear Aboriginal Art on my chest. Lets all celebrate Sorry day and then move on together.
Kara Rasmanis, 8 months ago
sorry at fed square in Melbourne
i will be there
Helene Kippert, 8 months ago
Finally a first step in the right direction for reconciliation!
tambatoys, 8 months ago
GO Rudd it’s one of the reasons I voted him in :) thanks for sharing this with RB Pinky
C.C. Arshagra, 8 months ago
Last I heard, all the Indigenous Peoples of the World have a collective single seat in UN (United Nation) A voice. Bring this issue to this level for networking support, and share the weight of inhumanity’s civilized destructiveness. i.e.. The Rise of Global Fascism and Global Imperial Order. I remember hearing something the guy said a long time ago “They Know Not What They Do.” To nature, the air, the water, and one and other. Nor do the wake-up to what the Big-They do to raise each of us all with a passive mind, and a numb conscious. Nor do we realize our blood-stained MacBeth hands about the so called “civilized world’s participatory roles in past and now modern massacres, genocide. and new high-tech forms of slavery. nor to we realize how the media is programing our wasteful consuming lives as it rears us not at all inharmony with the natural world, but in tandem with small minded reasons born of fears and pacified by a delusional form of safety and the ownership of things. On that note, ‘Sorry’ is a good baby step forward.
We human beings should all share in the resolve of these inhuman and inhumane forces. And so may we create many ways for our passions to be heard, exercised, and lived!
--C.C. Arshagra / Seattle, Washington area, USA.C.C. Arshagra, 8 months ago
“Sorry’ for the type-o graphical errors! C.C.
kathleen
,
8 months ago
you know I am with it…
Bianca honey… just wanted to give you my love for tomorrow and special extra love and luck for the awards…
Wish I could be there with you but alas…
Love your work… you deserve everything… everything! If just for putting up with me…
samedog, 8 months ago
Most of us would remember seeing images of the Berlin Wall coming down. Hopefully tomorrow’s apology will be one of the first bricks removed from the ‘wall’ that has been created in our land.
BTW, good luck with the award tomorrow.
botanicali, 8 months ago
My housemate’s going into the city to watch it being broadcast live on the big screen in Fed Square. I’ll be taping it at home… then perhaps joining her for the concert. Such a huge event – it’s worth stopping everything to be part of the celebrations.
I noted the response Rudd got in his Reconciliation Week speech last year, when he said that one of the first things he’d do if elected would be to apologise – there was an enormous response from the Indigenous audience. It moved me to tears and still means an enormous amount to me as a pale Australian :)
Our Kiwi neighbours are watching with interest too.
Go pinksticks!
pinkstinks, 8 months ago
Tonight the Tv is swamped with Stolen generation stories and debates – I just can’t stop crying – I really don’t know how I will get throught the Rollercoaster of tommrow – Not only is the national appology happening, I am meeting a new family member (we just found eachother), and I am also a finalist in a national art award being announced tommrow night! I just don’t know how I will deal with the emotions…
pinkstinks, 8 months ago
To everyone who has taken the time to post a “Sorry”message & artwork etc… into this group I would like to thank you all, I am sure you cannot understand how much your word of support mean so much to me and my Mob (Indigenous Australia). I cry as I read your messages.
Thanks
Bianca
Juilee Pryor, 8 months ago
hugs and best wished for tomorrow and remember you just go girl. have a great day…...:)
pinkstinks, 8 months ago
Thanks Juilee :-)
Melinda Kerr, 8 months ago
Hey Bianca-I’m just so totally rapt for you and your ‘mob.’ I walked in the “sorry’ march years ago because it was the only way we could say sorry publicly – given the Government was refusing to. And now the day has finally arrived where the Government is ‘stepping up to the plate’. Have a great day tomorrow with your mates and good luck with the art prize. Cheers Bianca, Mel :)
pinkstinks, 8 months ago
Thanks Mel :-)
Rosina Lamberti, 8 months ago
The Reserve is valued for not only for its historic connection with the construction of the Overland Telegraph Line, but also as a school for Aboriginal children ………...................who were forcibly removed from their families,
Rosina Lamberti, 8 months ago
SparrowSalvage, 8 months ago
Wanted to add my voice to the chorus of well-wishing, and to take the moment to say sorry on behalf of myself. I marched in the rally a few years back too; have ‘engaged’ in many a conversation with people who perpetuate the myths up there…but it’s all been worth it of course, it always has been worth it. So from one Australian to another…I’m sorry.
Mark Gauti, 8 months ago
This is a subject matter that I have debated with many different people and they always use the same comments and to me the most ignorant one is “it happened in the past” why is it so hard for certain people to accept that what happens in the past effects the present as well as what happens now will effect the future?
well I really hope that at least some people become more educated about these issues from this day that you Australians made.
sunset, 8 months ago
hi bianca
I don’t have a sorry artwork, but I was and am totaly moved by the speech Rudd gave yesterday for all the reasons you spoke of above.
It is a great time for moving on, remembering the past so we make sure our behaviour is different now.
It’s great sorry has been said, because now we can say-’thank you’, it is a huge relief…and now time for ‘what next’.