At first I wasn’t going to post today, because I couldn’t think of anything nice to say. I couldn’t think of a diplomatic way to speak about my feelings on the public apology that Kevin Rudd made in Parliament today. In the end though, I am here writing about it, because I have a right to my opinion, as do the millions of other Australians that I share my country with.

Please, if you are reading this and you disagree, do not e-mail me or comment here angrily. Think about what I have said, and carefully word your thoughts and opinions, and then share them with me, because I would love to hear them. I have left comments open for that very reason.

I would first of all like to make it perfectly clear that I, like all people, do have biased views towards some ethnic groups. These views are not unfounded, and they are not based on stories, or rumours. They are based on my experiences and relations with people from those groups. I do not automatically judge people based on their ethnicity, but often I have found the generalisations I have made (often inadvertently) about various ethnic groups to be true.

The reason I am being so honest about my feelings is because today the Australian government made an apology to Aboriginal people everywhere, for the atrocious behaviour inflicted upon a group of Aborigines known as the ‘Stolen Generation’. The stolen generation refers to people of Aboriginal (and mixed Aboriginal) descent, who were taken from their families without permission. I do not support the actions of the government at that time. I do not believe that they did the right thing.

However, Aboriginal people have stated that ‘White Australia’ owes them an apology. They have asked for monetary compensation. They have asked for better education, better healthcare, better living conditions. They feel that we owe it to them, because approximately 140 years ago, the government in power at the time began to steal children from their parents and loved ones.

I do not feel that I should need to apologise, or feel guilty, for the actions of a government that existed before I was born. I do not feel that monetary compensation should be granted to the descendants of the stolen generation; I only barely support it for the people who were actually taken themselves. I do not feel that Aboriginal people have any right to expect special treatment, or extra benefits simply because they are Aboriginal.

Concessions and benefits are available to those of Aboriginal descent, in addition to those concessions and benefits already available to eligible Australian citizens. Simply being Aboriginal means you qualify for a whole range of discounts on things like health care and education. Some states even have laws stating that Aboriginal children can attend school with no fees. I don’t feel that we need to do more for them simply because of their ethnicity.

I suppose that I resented the apology so much, because of the request for compensation that came with it. It turned a simple request for an apology into a demand for money from the government, and in my mind that cheapened the whole affair. All day, I have been simmering about the government caving and apologising for something they didn’t even do. The rest of Australia is expected to do the same, because it is ‘Sorry Day’.

Well, I am not sorry. I am sympathetic, and I have been moved by the stories from members of the stolen generation, but I refuse to apologise for something that I had no part in and do not support. I used to hear and read stories about Aboriginal culture being passed down through song and dance, and stories within the family groups. Now, I see bitterness, angriness and expectancy being passed down to the younger generations.

I hope that Aboriginal people everywhere can see that what is done can never be undone, and no amount of apologies or money will change that. I hope that they take the apology and accept it, and then begin to teach their children that ‘White Australia’ does not owe them the earth simply because of their ethnicity. I hope that the bitterness and tension starts to fade, and I hope that the Aboriginal people can forgive.

Not forget, but forgive. And then, I hope they can move on.

This post is probably very politically incorrect, but it is my true opinion. I have been completely honest, and have opened myself up for a lot of insults here. Please, just read what I have said above, and take it as my opinion, nothing more. I have a right to it, just as you do. At least I’m not posting about wanting an apology from England, because they sentenced my ancestors to death for stealing a hankie.

I did consider posting about that instead, though. ;)