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February 13, 2008
Sorry
Today the prime minister of Australia said SORRY to the indigenous people of Australia for the past injustices.
I was amongst a crowd that flowed from a building and into the park outside as we couldn't fit in to see the live telecast.
After initial disappointment of being stuck outside as the speech began, we silently, en masse bowed our heads. We listened to his every word. It had all the feelings of an historical moment.
Those were the most heart felt words I've heard an Australian prime minister speak. Rudd manages to be both earnest and spirited. And what struck me was how intelligibly he spoke, connecting himself with his audience.
It's hard to escape the activist attitude towards politicians which is often lined with suspicion and doubt. But I want to say that after years of being at rallies and on petitions, to finally hear this speech was truly spectacular and it is about time we celebrated!
I want to believe that Australia is shifting as a nation - that we are being lead by someone who has the ability to carry us into a different consciousness with his words and actions.
I can feel it happening and feel entirely grateful that John Howard is gone and that we have a leader that reflects what it means to be human.
SORRY is an easy word to say if you learn how - it is harder to mean it, to give it the energy you intend. Rudd meant it today. And what makes SORRY powerful is when it is accepted with an open mind and heart. To see the news focus on this 'good news' (about bloody time) and show the tears spilling from the indigenous eyes, it felt like we had taken the first step towards reconciliation.
I took the time to think about SORRY as I collected things around my garden to form its every letter.
And here are some of those letters in context...
[current mood] No coffee & Do Make Say Think
Posted by nat at February 13, 2008 6:03 PM
Comments
This is beautiful! Not living in Australia, I don't know much about this except for what I learned in the movie Rabbit Proof Fence, which I have watched over and over again. What a happy and hopeful gesture for your prime minister to make!
Posted by: Laurenne at February 14, 2008 1:35 AM
Finally! Coming from Germany I had troubled feelings over this (I had to say I am sorry for what I have done to the Jewish people - at age 14. At school main topic in history was Hitler - my parents were kiddos at that time...)
I found this article http://your.sydneyanglicans.net/socialissues/the_hearing_of_sorry_71/
and the points 3 and 4 gave me insight in a sense to say sorry for what former generations have done.
Yay for Rudd!
I am surprised that so few posted about this very important event.
Posted by: Iris at February 15, 2008 1:27 PM
