Comments on: Australians show us the way with “sorry”

By: randall butisingh

randall butisingh — Tue, 29 Apr 2008 23:26:23 +0000

Ana, The realisation of the atrocities done to the indigenous people of Australia and the president’s apology is a lauduble one, but his voice, however sincere or the voice of government may not be the voice of the nation. Prejudice dies hard. It is even seen in religion. When India gained its Independence, the caste system was abolished, but that did not remove the prejudice. It remained and is lingering still, though there is hope that it will eventually disappear with the education of the coming generations. In the USA the same could be said of the treatment of the indeginous peoples here. However, with the SLAVERY of Africans,the ugliest blot in civilization, where a people, made in the image of God and a brother man was reduced to the category of goods and chattels, who were deprived of their language and culture and therefore of their identity, no apology from a government alone can remove the indelible blot of the gross injustice perpetrated by their greedy forefathers.
However, there were efforts by individuals who saw the injustice and did what they can to help. Among them the greatest president of the United States, Abraham Lincoln who became a martyr for its cause. He used his authority during the civil war to free all the slaves, gave them asylum in the North and an opportunity to live as human beings. Frederick Douglas, one of his African advisers could have attested to his sincerity. But as I said before prejudice dies hard. We see it every day, but there is a glimpse of hope as is evinced during our primaries for the November elections. May Truth prevail.

By: Tom Chandler

Tom Chandler — Wed, 20 Feb 2008 16:36:53 +0000

What a change for Australia given the tenor and beliefs evidenced by their prior leadership.

Thanks for posting; it’s a wonderful speech.

By: peter van dyk

peter van dyk — Mon, 18 Feb 2008 17:09:55 +0000

Dear Ana,

Thanks for the posting on the apology to the Native Peoples of Australia, one might say an apology is just an apology, only words, and much more is needed, however an apology offers hope for a strong new beginning, an apology recognizes a desire to understand, and appreciate how we have gotten “here” .And yes let’s hope that this gives the courage to our political leaders to apologize to our Native Peoples, and to the survivors of the slaves that helped to create this country.

I pray that with this powerfull and brave start we can begin to see that we are truly all a “family”, and as a family we need to honestly look at our history, not to blame/shame, but rather to heal and forgive.Every act, every behavior, all the violence, all the horror will only be healed with Love.

With the courage to look at the violence of the past and to apologize, we may also develope the courage to deal with the injustices and the violence happening in this moment, every step taken towards the Light is a step to a clear path of peace.

in Gratitude Peter