We are at a fateful moment in history. The global markets are in turmoil, unemployment is rising around the globe, civil unrest is spreading, and the world watches with baited breath, stunned and fearful for the future.
And yet, at this defining moment, extraordinary and positive things are also happening. Approximately 200 of Turkey's leading intellectuals just weeks ago issued an apology on the Internet for the World War I-era massacres of Armenians in Turkey. And several months ago, while my film Australia was in post-production, the Australian government issued a formal apology to the indigenous Aboriginal people of Australia for past wrongs caused by successive governments. Prime Minister Kevin Rudd singled out for mention the "Stolen Generations" -- thousands of mixed-race children who were forcibly removed from their families in a policy of assimilation which lasted from the 19th century to the late 1960s.
This apology was particularly meaningful for all who were working on the film as my film deals closely with the Aboriginal peoples, and stars dozens of Aboriginal actors (many of whom were stolen, are direct descendants of the stolen, or have close relatives who were stolen). One of the main characters, the extraordinary 11-year-old mixed-race actor, Brandon Walters, is Aboriginal, as is our assistant director and script consultant, Steve McGregor -- their first-hand knowledge and insight into the material was essential and critical to the film.
Already I see Australia, my much-loved homeland, as reaping the benefits of a psychological shift in attitude towards a stain that has marked our country's history for so long. The long-awaited government apology to the Aborigines is a positive message of hope. This apology is about acknowledging past transgressions and expressing heartfelt remorse for the mistakes of the past. As such, it represents crossing a divide, and will serve, I hope, as the first step toward a much-needed reconciliation. I believe such steps have particular resonance now in the United States, when President-elect Barack Obama is about to assume the leadership of this country.
One of the things that struck me about Obama was his stated willingness to reach across the partisan divide, to work with the people 'across the aisle' to forge solutions to the many enormous challenges his administration faces. President-elect Obama understands the importance of healing so we can do the important work of dealing with the issues that confront us as a strong, united front. Indeed, the problems facing the United States -- and countries around the world right now -- are so towering that our only hope is in reaching out to our neighbors, building bridges, and moving on from old wounds.
While I am not so naïve as to believe that apologies such as the ones issued by the Turkish intellectuals or the Australian government mean an end to the rancor, heartbreak, distrust and anger that surround so many of the historical events which prompted them, I do believe that they are a first step forward in the process of healing. I hold out great hope -- one that often serves as the inspiration for my filmmaking -- that the human spirit is strong, resilient, and persevering, and that with a willingness to acknowledge old wounds, and apologize for them when necessary, we can face the future with courage and strength.
Apologies do not make amends for wrongs, but they are definitely a powerful means to assist the healing that needs to happen.
I would like to point out that Obama’s pick for HHS Secretary, Tom Daschle, hails from South Dakota, a state that is home to many American Indians. Tom has many strong ties to their community, I hope that he will use these wisely to bring the many issues facing the native community to the attention of Obama.
I firmly believe that Obama will be able to help heal many wounds, both internationally and internally. And after the past 8 years of the Bush presidency, there's a whole lot of gaping holes that need to be stiched up.
We all struggle to make our countries better, and to avoid repeating past mistakes in modern guise. The mess is huge, of course, but we cannot be overwhelmed. We just have to start cleaning in our own corner and keep working.
His last and latest swipe is alllowing your ex PM Smith? to visit and receive a high level award along with Tony Blair as his partners in crime. Then to add insult to injury, for some reason giving Smith the run of Blair House a 115 room guest house for foreign dignitaries, that is traditionally made avilable every 4 years to the President elect and family.
Petty slights are never going to go away with Bush and cronies muddying up the process. Just 5 more days.
I have always thought that Australia and America share somewhat of a similar history because both countries where established with many people who were considered undesirables from the British Empire and both countries have a tainted past as well for how we both treated indigenous peoples beyond poorly.
Hopefully both nations are in the final stages of healing from our original sins.
When will the U.S. government formally apologize to our Native-Americans? And more importantly fund a reconstruction of their lives by building homes, schools, commercial areas, etc... Of course that would cost a lot of money that is currently needed on Wall Street.
What Americans do and have done to our natives is unconscionable.
The leaders of the world are reaching out to one another to build their Global Empire...