TMP Online

I’m fortunate to have had the opportunity to travel to many places around the world in my 27 years. One country I’ve never had much desire to visit, however, is Australia. I’ve been told of its beautiful white beaches and wonderful scenery by friends who have visited and lived there, yet I’ve also heard a great deal about a darker side to the country, an ugly racist side, that has – until this week when Prime Minister Kevin Rudd issued an apology for the racist mistreatment of Aborigines - appeared to be very much a part of Australian culture.

It is a very sad fact of life that people of colour – native Americans, African Americans, Africans, Aborigines – have suffered appallingly at the hands of those who have believed them to be inferior because of their colour. Around the world, black people have been subjected to slavery, colonialism, apartheid, the denial of basic human and civil rights and, in the case of Australia, the legally enforced removal of an estimated 100,000 Aboriginal children from their parents over a 60 to 70 year period. Like other government-led forms of oppression, this policy – which led to many children being placed in homes in which they were abused or brought up as servants - was thought to be for the good of the Aboriginal people.

Finally, Kevin Rudd has done what his predecessors were too weak to do and publicly repented for the sins of his forefathers by acknowledging the significant hurt and damage caused by such misguided and racist policies.

For governments, “sorry” has always seemed to be the hardest word. Both British and America governments are yet to issue full apologies for slavery. It may be too little too late but saying “sorry” is definitely a step in the right direction. Prime Minister Rudd should hope to follow the example of South Africa, where apologizing for apartheid led to the Truth & Reconciliation Commission, which went some way towards healing that racially divided nation.

The importance of a government-issued apology is in its symbolism. Who, when wronged, does not want the perpetrator to recognize, and acknowledge, the hurt that has been inflicted? Most importantly for me, Australia’s apology sends a strong message to white Australians that racism is no longer acceptable. Previous governments which have refused to apologize have essentially told their country that such attitudes and treatment are ok, thus providing silent support for their continuation.

Let’s not be naïve about this though. The Australian government’s apology does not eradicate the suffering of the Aborigines, both those who were stolen from their families and their ancestors who are still suffering today. It also will not immediately fix the present day issues affecting the black Australian community, nor stamp out racism in Australian society.

As they say actions speak louder than words. As The Australian newspaper said, the apology is “dishonored if the current generation cannot devise new and better policies to lift the conditions of indigenous peoples.” There is little point in apologizing for racist behaviour if nothing changes.

I’m pleased to see that Kevin Rudd intends that his apology is not merely an act of tokenism. By making bold pledges to improve education and housing standards, he has shown that he is actively committed to improving the lives of the 45,000 Aborigines who are Australia’s poorest group and whose life expectancy is 17 years less than the average Australian. Only time will tell how this works out in real terms: generations of mistreatment have damaged Australia’s black people and it will take generations to re-build them.

Sadly, there are some who are not happy with the apology. Tony Abbott, Australia’s opposition spokesman for indigenous affairs said: “Yes, some kids were stolen and this is shameful but many were helped and some were rescued.” This is an opinion I have heard from a number of people with regards to other human rights atrocities that were committed against black people. In some way bizarre way it is believed that the stripping of names, the splitting up of families and the denial of identity ’saved’ black people from the plight of their race. It is such attitudes that Australia really needs to confront. This is an area that Rudd has failed to address, but one that he needs to if any real progress is to be made.

When slavery ended in America, black people were technically ‘free’, but the power structure still worked against them. White people, who held the power in every aspect of life, still viewed them as inferior and tried to keep the door closed on black advancement for as long as possible. The same thing will happen in Australia if the prejudices of the people are not dealt with. Everyday white Australians must be encouraged to do their own soul searching.

Wednesday’s apology was just the beginning of what is hopefully a new phase for Australia. There is still a massive amount to be done, but Australia’s Prime Minister has taken a giant leap. For that I applaud him.

Lola Adesioye is a freelance writer who specializes in commenting on socio-political and cultural issues affecting the black community.