Stolen generations. (Racefile).A monument-in-construction has become the center of debate among Aboriginal communities and has thrust the issue of Aboriginal recognition into the Australian spotlight. Plans for the "Reconciliation Memorial" in Canberra, Australia, have incensed members of the "Stolen Generations" and their supporters, who accuse ac·cuse v. ac·cused, ac·cus·ing, ac·cus·es v.tr. 1. To charge with a shortcoming or error. 2. To charge formally with a wrongdoing. v.intr. the Australian government of attempting to whitewash whitewash, white fluid commonly used as an inexpensive, impermanent coating for walls, fences, stables, and other exterior structures. It varies in composition, being generally a mixture of lime (quicklime), water, flour, salt, glue, and whiting, with other the history of the forced removal of over 50,000 Aboriginal children from their parents. The policy, intended to assimilate as·sim·i·late v. 1. To consume and incorporate nutrients into the body after digestion. 2. To transform food into living tissue by the process of anabolism. the children--referred to now as "the stolen generations" -- into white society, was initiated in the 1880s and continued into the 1970s. The movement for recognition of the experience of the stolen generations is part of a broader movement towards reconciliation between Aboriginal communities and the Australian government. The Australian Prime Minister, John Howard For other persons of the same name, see John Howard (disambiguation). John Winston Howard (born 26 July 1939) is an Australian politician and the 25th Prime Minister of Australia. , who has repeatedly refused to apologize a·pol·o·gize intr.v. a·pol·o·gized, a·pol·o·giz·ing, a·pol·o·giz·es 1. To make excuse for or regretful acknowledgment of a fault or offense. 2. To make a formal defense or justification in speech or writing. to the stolen generations, has aggravated ag·gra·vate tr.v. ag·gra·vat·ed, ag·gra·vat·ing, ag·gra·vates 1. To make worse or more troublesome. 2. To rouse to exasperation or anger; provoke. See Synonyms at annoy. his administration's difficult relationship with Aboriginal groups by failing to adequately consult with representatives of the stolen generations in developing the memorial. Aboriginal groups held a protest rally in mid-December when it was discovered that key elements of the memorial dealing with the policy of forced removal would feature "images of children at play, in foster homes and at school," with a recording of children singing. Samantha Chanse, "RaceFile." Samantha is a part-time researcher at the Applied Research Center. She has worked at Californians For Justice during the campaigns to defeat Propositions 209, 227, and 226. |
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