Macquarie Network ::: 2GB | 2CH | LIVENEWS | STREET CORNER | RUGBYLEAGUELIVE | WHAT CAREER | AMAZING AUSTRALIANS :::
Tuesday, 02 December 2008

Apology to Aborigines isn't enough: Germaine Greer

14/08/2008 6:24:00 AM.  | AAP
The recent federal government apology to the stolen generation does not go nearly far enough, provocative intellectual Germaine Greer says.

Years of ill treatment had been eating away at Aboriginal communities and threatened their future, she told ABC Television last night.

"We're only on the edge of what we've done to these people, we have ripped away everything, language, culture, land, self esteem," she said.

"You name any of the things that make you a human being and they have all been stripped away."

Professor Greer said she feared that it was already too late for many Aboriginal communities, criticising the federal government's intervention in the Northern Territory.

She called for a treaty with Aboriginal Australia, and also suggested holding a conference to explore how the rage within Aboriginal communities could be addressed.

White Australia had put Aborigines in "concentration camps", she said.

"In my worst moments I think that we might be way too late.

"They have been jerked from pillar to post ... they've ended up in one concentration camp after another."

Professor Greer has penned an essay called On Rage which claims anger at systematic ill treatment is eating away at Aboriginal communities and must be addressed.

"The rage is poisoning everyone," she said.

"It probably means annihilation of black communities, but there are some people who will say to you that they are pretty well annihilated already."

COMMENTS

Thursday, 14 August 2008

Oh, Germaine, that is pure poppycock. They have had many years to assimilate into the dominate culture. I am sure you would have preferred to have left them living in their primitive culture eaking out a daily sustenance. This kind of displacement of peoples have been going on since the dawn of time. It is the way of human beings. The strong have always overcome the weak and backwards. It is how we advance as a species. It is how all species advance. It's why we are not still in caves.

Posted by: Pithy Opiner, California, USA

Thursday, 14 August 2008

Pithy Opiner, California, USA, typical white trash, deal with your own Indigenous population first, you know the people that your people lied to and broke treaty after treaty with. GRUB

Posted by: Darrin None of your business, Surry Hills

 

Thursday, 14 August 2008

I just listened to Germaine on this subject on radio national and She is exactly correct in what she say's. In fact her words have changed my respect for Germaine to a much higher level, she is obviously in touch with australian indigenous people far far more than the average" white anglo saxon engish speaking christian australian" ( that I'd say the nit wit with the first comment is at the lower end of) Go read Henry Reynolds books, and learn some truth. SOVEREIGNTY NOW!

Posted by: Neilium Heilium, oneofem

 

Thursday, 14 August 2008

Her only suggestion is a treaty and a conference, more paper and more talk. I would expect that the aborigine leaders don't have to be told what they need by another white expert, this time from someone living in London.

Posted by: Rob Banks, Canberra

 

Thursday, 14 August 2008

Considering the aboriginal community was consulted in every step of the process of the apology, and that it was seen as a beginning. Germaine isnt even in the country. Everyone knows its not enough, with the consultation with the aboriginal community the government is working on helping them make steps forward. Its not going to happen over night, there is alot of things that need to be covered. but at least the apology was a step in the right direction. As for Germaine, geesh wish i had a gag

Posted by: Bel hummie, newcastle

Thursday, 14 August 2008

I agree that the apology was a step in the right direction but it was definately a hollow one, all this talk about saving Aboriginal kids is crap, most of the money (which ironically comes from mining royalties from Aboriginal lands) that is not meant as govt. services top up is being funnelled into Cetrelink to test the welfare management before they try it on the rest of Australia. It's so much easier to pick on the poor & less empowered than criticise the high end of town who rip off more

Posted by: Gumerungi Steve Hodder, Mparntwe (Alice Springs)

 

Thursday, 14 August 2008

The treatment of indigenous people in the USA has been lost behind the treatment of African Americans. The USA has a few apologies to make and lots of compensating to do. The idea that might is right is so Neanderthal. Americans when overseas ask why everyone seems to hate them? Canadian Backpackers wear their flag on their backpacks so that they won't be mistaken for Americans, and in some places Americans wear the Canadian flag too, just to survive. The USA may be well armed but it's not loved

Posted by: Graeme Henderson, Darling Downs

 

Thursday, 14 August 2008

yes gumerungi, but my point is you dont see Germaine coming over and doing anything. she is all words. i thought though that aboriginal elders were consulted as to where the money needed to be spent? guess i was wrong?

Posted by: Belinda Sharman, New lambton

 

Thursday, 14 August 2008

Spot on! Well done Germaine! My esteem for you has shot through the roof after watching Lateline. As a Territorian born Social Worker and Psychotherapist in Darwin, living and working here through the 'intervention' time, I can tell you that Germaine's views are also merely scratching the surface of the truth exposing. A conference is an imperative, because it is clear that there are a lot of important practical issues to work through including the need for a treaty. Well done GG.

Posted by: Gregory Goodluck, Darwin

 

Thursday, 14 August 2008

I may be wr0ong but I understood that under the Northern Territory Land Rights Act mining royalty equivalents amounting to hundreds of millions of dollars. were paid to the Land Councils,Traditional Owners and all other Aborigines in the N.T.. The breakup was 40% to Land Councils,30% to Traditional Owners and 30% to other Aborigines and was in addition to Federal funding for health,education, housing,Centrelink etc.

Posted by: grant watt, glenning valley