Friday 13 February 2009

Mansell's Money Fix


Saying sorry for the past history of the stolen generation of indigenous Australians was done by our current government one year ago. There has been many calls for monetary compensation, lands rights issues and improvement for aboriginal health. Michael Mansell who is well known in Australia as an activist for aboriginal rights and issues had this to say:

"Aboriginal people, and especially members of the stolen generations, are probably worse off," indigenous leader and director of the Tasmanian Aboriginal Centre, Michael Mansell said on Friday.
"There is no land rights for the dispossessed, no compensation for the stolen generations, the health standards are not improving and the Aboriginal imprisonment rate continues to climb ...

"The apology has provided the Rudd government with a political shield against criticism of its failures in Aboriginal affairs.

"Rudd used Aboriginals to improve his social standing, then walked away."
If Mr Mansell is claiming land rights for those dispossessed as he puts it, then surely he cannot mean today's generation.They were not dispossessed of any lands. They were born into a democratic, modern society where despite racism on both sides, they are a hell of a lot better off than if they were born 50 years ago. Will money make it right for the descendants of the stolen generation. For those that were unlawfully taken then yes I don't have any problem with compensation. Not for the descendants though. The Aboriginal culture is vast and rich in history and one to be respected but seriously, I ask, how many of today's youth truly live and explore their culture and live by it day to day.

Millions of dollars are spent on health issues in Australia, as well as extra on aboriginal health issues. If the money spent was managed and spent in the correct way as to educate all people and maybe, just maybe some, not all of those affected took notice of the education and health programs available, then again I ask, would there be so many issues?

There comes a time when you have to accept responsibility for your own actions which brings me to the point of Mansell's comment about the high rate of indigenous peoples in prison. Well why use race? No matter your race or ethnicity, you do the crime, you do the time. It is about time people such as Michael Mansell stopped using his aboriginality as an excuse. That is an insult to the intelligence ALL peoples especially those of his own culture. There is good and bad in all races, be it Caucasian or Aboriginal.

4 comments:

jmb said...

While I do have some sympathy for this situation I certainly agree that compensation should only be paid to those directly affected.

Yes, interesting how accusations of racism are thrown around against people who criticize illegal/bad behviour, by whoever commits it.

Welshcakes Limoncello said...

I don't really know much about this situation but what you are saying seems sensible to me, nunyaa.

UBERMOUTH said...

It's simplistic to assume that visual minorities are afforded the same oppotunities as non visual minorities. Given that poverty creates criminality, society is partially responsible.

With racists like KKK-JMB here, is it a wonder the visual minorities are excluded from a better life?

LordSomber said...

"Given that poverty creates criminality, society is partially responsible."

A weak syllogism.
Who is this "society" person?
Anytime people use generalities and abstracts like “society’s fault” in an argument, it’s a sign of specious reasoning at best.

Many arguments boil down to freewill. But we mustn't hold minorities to equal standards, should we, dear? Who is being the racist?