Australia said "I'm Sorry"
Australia has a history very similar to out own. Australia was discovered and then colonized. It was first used by the English as a place to put their criminals. Much like Georgia. Australia grew and as she grew she confronted the native peoples that inhabited her. There has been atrocities committed in the name of progress much like "manifest destiny" in our own country. After visiting Australia, I saw how Aborigines were reduced to tourist attractions and movie actors in Crocodile Dundee. Now, they have what the Aboriginies have what they have been waiting for, "I'm Sorry." It's as simple as that. However it came from the government. What an amazing gesture for all nations that have a tainted history. I wonder what would happen in our country if the Presdient issued an offical appoligy to all of our Native Americans. Would people stand and aplaud this gesture? Or would we all feel a little awkward and try to deny that it ever happened? Would we appologize to the Japenese Americans who during World War II were shipped inland to the desert in fear signaling incoming Japanese zeros? I hope that some day we as a nation take a step forward and utter those simple words and say I'm Sorry.....
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2 comments:
This post brought to mind one of my all time favortie songs - Bob Dylan's "With God on their Side" - if you aren't familiar with it, (or even if you are,) go give it a listen.
Also, does anybody else think its a little nuts that Korematsu v. United States, in which the Supreme Court, in a 6-3 vote sanctioned the internement of American Citiznes of Japanese decent, is still technically good law? Perhaps even more nuts is that I'm not sure how the current court would come out on it. Stare Decisis after all. Probably 5-4 one way or the other.
The correct title of the song is "With God on Our Side" - sorry about that. Check it out though - youtube it.
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