To wonder why Australia's 'stolen generation' isn't taught in schools or well known?

[workingdilemma]

I was in oz a decade or so ago, and learny of the stolen generation. Aboriginal children who were taken out of their families, put with white families and ein an effort to remove their culture. A lot of people also say part of this was a more shocking plan to eventually 'breed out' the aboriginal people.

This 'strategy' continued at least in part till the 1970s - so shockingly recently.

In australia they have in recent years attempted to attone in some manner by apologising to the aboriginal people, but i find it incredible that over here or elsewhere, very few people know about this.

I was interested to read the ww2 thread just now and it made me wonder again about why this isn't discussed and taught in schools.

Aibu to think this episode of history should be discussed more globally as a historical mistake (and more)?

And why shouldn't Pratchett use the term denier? Aboriginal people DID go through a holocaust.

Grinandtonic

@textfan
'most people'
interesting. very interesting

most people.

so it's not about truth, it's about most people.

it's a popularity contest.

well, I guess you win there. but in the truth ? I win

Lurked I too get a lot of my knowledge about history of many places (and many periods) from novels and then go onto explore the topic further on Google usually.

I went to primary school in Australia with someone who was stolen. (In the 70s.)

I later worked with another woman who was.

I moved the Katherine for around a year, and knew a woman socially who worked with Aboriginal people. She also confirmed that this had happened to many of the people she worked with.

They did indeed Degust. At least 6,000 children died. 150,000 were removed. People are still dying with addictions, suicides and violence. A lot of which can be traced to residential school trauma.

One of the proudest moments of my life was an elderly lady who came up to me at the end of a six-week course I did at a First Nation here. She told me that it was the first time she had been back in a classroom since residential school. She never thought she could formally learn again, never mind complete something. I had no idea she was a survivor when I met her. And she wouldn't have told me unless she felt very comfortable and open with me.

I suppose something like the Magdalene laundries would be more relevant to be taught in the UK. The last one of those closed in the 90's too.

It is and should be a great source of shame to Australia and Canada. (& it is to most!)

@NoArmani
yes indeed. an indisputable horror. it makes the hairs on the back of my neck stand up.
horrible

I did history to O level, and never got beyond the agrarian revolution [old gimmer]. But I have certainly heard of the stolen generation and think that knowledge of this is now fairly widespread? Certainly compared to, say, public awareness of the causes of famine in Ireland?

Have you been following the Royal Commission into institutional abuse? I have heard calls for a commission for the stolen generation and the forced adoptions. That will be a long time coming I think.

That was to Degust

I haven't, I will check that out. The recent Adam Goodes AFL debacle has sadly brought home to me just how large a racist element there still is in Australia.

@Devora
I did O level history, but never covered this subject. Since then I got a degree and trained as a historian (Which I am)

There are a few big 'no nos' . falling into ahistoricity, confirmation bias, or using an idealogical mindset.

the idealology is clear in this thread, where 'everything that such and such did is evil, and nothing that such and such did was good'

It's so obvious, and so obviously nonsense it makes you reach for the bottle

@NoArmani Yes! that should be taught /known to everyone. it's too recent and horibble to be forgotten

I majored in archaeology and aboriginal history in my arts degree (genetics for my science degree). Who lectured you, Keith Windschuttle? your views are in stark contrast to the vast majority of Aboriginal historians.

Many countries seem to have aspects of their past that were only acknowledged recently, if at all. For Australia it is their treatment of aboriginals, for many parts of Europe it is those who collaborated with the Nazis, in Ireland the Magdalen laundries, and now in the UK the seemingly alleged widespread cover-up of child abuse by 'celebrities' and politicians.

That was @ dodged, btw

The stolen generations has been shown to be a myth. please stop perpetuating such divisive nonsense.

Utter rubbish. And if you're reliant on Andrew Bolt for your 'facts', you may find it instructive to read Bromberg J's judgment on some of his writings on this issue. Illuminating.

As a point of reference - lived there most of my life, read extensively and sought evidence that underpinned what I read, worked in a field that took me into regular contact with Aboriginal communities and elders, whose personal testimony is more shocking and saddening than anything in Bringing Them Home.

I was hoping you'd pop up on this thread, Jassy

@degust
well that is impressive. but I can guarantee two things

1. I will leave now, due to the strong feelings I have stirred up, and research to see if I may have been wrong. And to gain the opposing views and arguments. Then to formulate a new position.
2. You will preen yourself

No preening here, far from it
I suspect you'd be in agreeance with Jim Watsons theories on race....

I've not had time to RTFT but a similar thing was done with children in Greenland, they were sent to Denmark to be brought up by families there.

Do my best, Degustibus.

I see we now have a flounce. Hopefully in the direction of the learned Justice B...

One can but hope, Jassy!