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Sorry is such a little word, but it has powerful meaning.
As children we seem to be taught to say it without thinking. It must be said for reasons we don't understand. It is just what you say.
As adults, we use it to get out of things, sometimes said half-heartedly. Perhaps there needs to be a bigger word for the “sorry” we feel when we have truly done wrong.
May 26th is National Sorry Day in Australia.
[Photo Credit: Nutloaf]
Until I moved here a few years ago, I had no idea ‘Sorry Day' existed – or why – so I thought I would share it with you.
To simplify a very long story, the Aboriginal people have lived in Australia for around 50,000 years, and are one of the oldest cultures on earth.
In 1788, the British arrived to colonise Sydney with convicts and ‘modern' Australia has grown from there into a fantastic, diverse, beautiful country. The British considered this “terra nullis”, a land with no people. They considered the Aboriginal people to be beneath them, and pretty much systematically wiped them out by various means – killing, disease, then segregation and removal of children. These children are known as the Stolen Generation.
On Feb 13, 2008, the Australian Prime Minister, Kevin Rudd said “SORRY” to the Stolen Generations. This little word had not been said before in this context. It was a powerful statement of a country ready to change. I am British and I now live in Australia happily and proud to be here. There is racism, but there is everywhere. There are still problems of course, but Sorry Day is at least a start.
Today I am thinking about the power of words that are filled with meaning. I hope this gives you something to think about too.
Back to writing, publishing and the usual topics tomorrow! This is not a political blog, but words are so filled with meaning, I thought it appropriate. All respect is meant towards the Aboriginal people as well as all other Australians.
View Comments (2)
A very interesting post. I got an insight into Australian culture.
Thanks for sharing :)
Cheers
Freya
I'll never forget watching that speech at federation square. When words need to be said, but are not said for a very long time, they become immensely powerful. The failure to speak the word 'sorry' ironically gave it a huge charge.