Can a Broken Life Be Made Whole?
Australia’s Aborigines have renewed calls for official recognition of past injustices after a court awarded one of their own nearly $450,000 for having been taken from his family 50 years ago.
In a landmark ruling this week, Bruce Trevorrow (photo) received the money in compensation and damages for being taken from his mother as a baby and, without her consent, given to a white foster parent.
Reconciliation Australia, set up to promote better relations between Aborigines and white Australians, said the case highlighted the need for proper recognition and compensation for the so-called stolen generation of Aborigines.
Said Barbara Livesey, the organizations chief executive:
“It is preferable, morally and financially, to face up to mistakes as a nation, rather than watching from the sidelines as they’re tossed around in costly, adversarial court proceedings.”
Australia’s conservative government has steadfastly refused to apologize officially for the policies of previous governments. Only the island state of Tasmania has set up a fund to compensate stolen generation members.
But can a long broken life be made whole with money?
More here.
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5 Responses to “Can a Broken Life Be Made Whole?”
Steve Martin is an Australian aboriginee? Or do I need some glasses now?
Gray:
No, you’re confusing him with his brother, Rémy.
Certainly you’re right, Shaun. At least I didn’t confuse him with Sen. Dodd….
Ok, sry for misusing this tragic topic for making another silly joke. As for your question: “But can a long broken life be made whole with money?” Of course not, but this will help correct some of the damage that has been done, i.e. psychatrical treatment and maybe a therapy against the alcohol dependancy. Better than nothing and at least some kind of late justice.
Good for Australians that their courts show a sense of responsibility, but what to make of their government? “Prime minister John Howard’s government has refused to apologise for the Stolen Generation and resisted calls to set up a compensation fund.”
Shameful, absolutely shameful! Where is the public uproar down under?
And if Australia had not followed Bushitler into the Iraq war none of this would have happened. Once again it’s the fault of only one man, George Bush.
Will Rupert Murdock (Australian) report this on his Fox News