The Necessity of Reparation for Historic Injustices
indo-dreaming wrote:I am glad you weren't tempted to use the right side of history line though, because the right side of history is whatever the public decides on the 14th October.
Yeah, cos people have never been known to vote against their own/the country's best interests. /s
Hiccups wrote:indo-dreaming wrote:I am glad you weren't tempted to use the right side of history line though, because the right side of history is whatever the public decides on the 14th October.
Yeah, cos people have never been known to vote against their own/the country's best interests. /s
Well, this is one of the very rare occasions where people have the opportunity to vote on a particular topic. It's no wonder that many on both sides of the aisle got quite invested in the process. It would be good if we had more opportunities like this.
burleigh wrote:mike oxhard wrote:burleigh wrote:seeds wrote:Never walked past a homeless person Burls? How many people have you taken in?
I wasn't marching with a sign pretending to care.
did you expect the voice to parliament rally to magically solve homelessness? this is a gold medal display of mental gymnastics
A homeless FNP.
perhaps they should have marched with a refreshments tent and buffet in case any FNP were hungry or thirsty as well, if the rally isn't a one stop shop for all your FNP needs, whats the point of it ay?
flollo wrote:Hiccups wrote:indo-dreaming wrote:I am glad you weren't tempted to use the right side of history line though, because the right side of history is whatever the public decides on the 14th October.
Yeah, cos people have never been known to vote against their own/the country's best interests. /s
Well, this is one of the very rare occasions where people have the opportunity to vote on a particular topic. It's no wonder that many on both sides of the aisle got quite invested in the process. It would be good if we had more opportunities like this.
In theory, yes, but this referendum has been a hell of a toxic experience so far. I'm about ready to switch off.
It’s toxic but somewhere amongst it all if you look hard enough there are very valid arguments for both sides, and they’ve all been laid for all out to see.
I think it’s the ultimate in democracy and participation and choice by the people, and more major decisions that affect our lives should be made this way, warts n all.
We are blessed in this country to be able to do this. Many (well most) peoples on this planet do not have this privilege, and they are much worse off for it.
gsco wrote:It’s toxic but somewhere amongst it all if you look hard enough there are very valid arguments for both sides, and they’ve all been laid for all out to see.
One would need the Hubble Telescope to see any valid arguments from you, sir.
You’re more than welcome to disagree with others, it’s all part of the process, and is indeed what makes it so effective.
I’m convinced you’re bat shit crazy GSCO
Commies under the bed crazy. Valid arguments? Whaahaaha.
Well it’s basic human nature to think that people who hold different views to oneself are very clearly and obviously wrong, and wrong not just because they hold different views, but because they are completely irrational, uneducated, unhinged and batshit crazy, etc.
I’d suggest that people airing that human nature and resorting to personal abuse and character assassination of those with different views is the main toxicity in the process..
We see it all day in here aimed at ID, Burleigh, etc, basically at anyone with a centre-right, conservative view.
In the end however it’s funny because those who engage in this toxic behaviour are the ones who’ve been triggered.
It’s the socialist left’s main style of debate.
Triggered? Nah mate. Anyway remain vigilant. Bolsheviks around every corner. As we all know.
gsco wrote:Well it’s basic human nature to think that people who hold different views to oneself are very clearly and obviously wrong, and wrong not just because they hold different views, but because they are completely irrational, uneducated, unhinged and batshit crazy, etc.
It’s the socialist left’s main style of debate.
Ad hominem attacks or GSCO-style condescension.
Tough choice.
"centre right" hahahaha..... PLEASE !
Hiccups wrote:gsco wrote:It’s toxic but somewhere amongst it all if you look hard enough there are very valid arguments for both sides, and they’ve all been laid for all out to see.
One would need the Hubble Telescope to see any valid arguments from you, sir.
Gold
DAW, you illustrate another classic strategy of the left: anyone who is even remotely conservative and centre right is set upon with mountains of personal attacks and labeled as extreme right nutjobs.
Again, we see it all day every day in here.
But it’s no surprise. It’s not exactly a secret that the swellnet forums are socialism country.
I even outed a few a wk or so ago. They crawled out from under the bed in no time.
I don't find peoples opinions offensive, but I do find the desperate ego fuelled attempts to sway from both sides offensive, my fed election ballot papers usually contains a nice story signed off by santa claus anyway
gsco wrote:DAW, you illustrate another classic strategy of the left: anyone who is even remotely conservative and centre right is set upon with mountains of personal attacks and labeled as extreme right nutjobs.
Again, we see it all day every day in here.
But it’s no surprise. It’s not exactly a secret that the swellnet forums are socialism country
I even outed a few a wk or so ago.
Yes, that'd be me. A gentle request to return to different economic times, that have existed here in Australia, was taken as solidarity with Stalin.
Hardcore nuance from our favourite Commie hunter.
I focus wrote:https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100092399664924&__cft__[0]=AZWC9...
You’re not allowed to share anything from social media here. Oh wait….. this is pro voice. Carry on
GSCO Unfortunately!!! Labor could almost be called centre right these days but you think they’re infested with commies.
BTW you didn’t out anyone. You outed yourself.
General Jack D. Ripper: "Mandrake, do you realize that in addition to fluoridating water, why, there are studies underway to fluoridate salt, flour, fruit juices, soup, sugar, milk... ice cream. Ice cream, Mandrake, children's ice cream... You know when fluoridation first began? Nineteen hundred and forty-six. 1946, Mandrake. How does that coincide with your post-war Commie conspiracy, huh? It's incredibly obvious, isn't it? A foreign substance is introduced into our precious bodily fluids without the knowledge of the individual. Certainly without any choice. That's the way your hard-core Commie works."
Hiccups wrote:indo-dreaming wrote:I am glad you weren't tempted to use the right side of history line though, because the right side of history is whatever the public decides on the 14th October.
Yeah, cos people have never been known to vote against their own/the country's best interests. /s
100% a lot of people are voting Yes and voting against their own and the countries best interest.
But if the Yes vote gets up, i still have to accept that the people have spoken and democracy fulfilled which means history as it should be is then written.
indo-dreaming wrote:Supafreak wrote:burleigh wrote:Supafreak wrote:burleigh wrote:Supafreak wrote:burleigh wrote:Supafreak wrote:@burleigh , just saw your question, If you can show me a poll that only 30% FNP support the yes to voice then I would seriously vote no . Why ? Because it’s not about me burleigh , I’m not requesting a voice to parliament, FNP are .
So you’re basing your vote off the yes23 campaign of 80% of FNP supporting the Voice?
Do you think the 80% from yes23 is misleading or possibly not correct as it was done on Feb with a very small minority of FNP?
Im going with the people I personally trust in this campaign, that’s my choice . You also have a choice Burleigh and your voting no . Do you believe you can change my thinking on this ? I don’t believe I can change yours and I’m not attempting to either . Gotta stand for something I believe , or fall for anything . Can you show me your poll that only 30% of FNP support the voice ? Now that Ive answered your question can you answer mine ? You don’t trust the labor government, if they opposed the voice and wanted everyone to vote no would you then vote yes ?
No I can’t, it was a hypothetical. However when yes23 campaign of 80% is based off an online vote of 300 then 800 FNP with no actual proof needed it gets you thinking. Then when you realise it was done over 6 months ago it seems extremely suss.
Where did you get your information on how yes23 came up with 80% ?
Am I wrong?
There’s been more than one poll plus when you look at how many FNP have been involved in putting the voice together which is thousands not just 2 so called elites then I think you will find the majority do support it . I must agree with indo though , polls don’t always indicate the outcome. Look at some of the past elections. What I found interesting about the rallies on the weekend were the huge difference in numbers. Australians dont generally get out in large numbers unless it’s something they really believe in like the Vietnam war protests. I posted the video from Melbourne and pictures from Sydney, massive difference . Spud is playing games with this and thats why he has JP & wazza front and center , he doesn’t want to be seen as leading if it goes pear shaped which by the looks of those rallies is very possible . Gotta wonder why there isn’t big turnouts for no vote rallies. Or is it that people on the no vote side don’t really care enough and can’t be bothered.
Ha ha its funny that you think because there is people at rallies that the Yes vote will get up.
I mean the polls favour the No camp, but they are still showing about 40% for Yes thats still a lot of people, but it still means its unlikely to get both ticks needed to get up, more than 50% Australia wide and majority of states.
Plus issues like this cause people to be passionate couple this with big money to get the word out and you get big numbers, those who are voting yes and passionate are also much more likely to be left leaning which has a culture for thing's like rallies and just virtue signaling in general.
I think there is going to be some No rallies but i dont expect they will have the same numbers, apart from being poorly advertised (only seen one post on social media), most just aren't into that type of thing, for instance i would never go to one, i find it gimmicky and kind of cringy, its unlikely to change anyones mind, i just dont see the point of these rallies or walks, id much rather people read the info needed.
BTW. look at the covid rallies they were huge and went on for weeks but look at the results from freedom parties, to me it was surprising even with people like Clive Palmer putting in huge money, i thought at the ballot box their presence would be much bigger or Dan would have no chance of getting reelected even with a piss weak opposition.
Basically protestor's in most cases are generally just vocal minorities.
@indo what I find funny is I can post something and the way you interpret it is different to what Ive actually written . Read my post again then read the first 2 sentences of your reply .
gsco wrote:DAW, you illustrate another classic strategy of the left: anyone who is even remotely conservative and centre right is set upon with mountains of personal attacks and labeled as extreme right nutjobs.
Again, we see it all day every day in here.
But it’s no surprise. It’s not exactly a secret that the swellnet forums are socialism country.
I even outed a few a wk or so ago. They crawled out from under the bed in no time.
If u sound like a nutjob there's a good chance u are a nutjob. In yr case costo...nutjob
https://theklaxon.com.au/ztem-65/ Jacinta Price exits “Bridging the Gap” charity https://theklaxon.com.au/ztem-64/ Jacinta Price quits “no” campaign group. ……The Klaxon’s revelations suggest serious tensions between Price and Mundine have been brewing for months.
Hiccups wrote:indo-dreaming wrote:I am glad you weren't tempted to use the right side of history line though, because the right side of history is whatever the public decides on the 14th October.
Yeah, cos people have never been known to vote against their own/the country's best interests. /s
Whenever ppl vote LNP they're voting against the country's best interests. Look at that last "government "... my god what a shmozzle
These are well-known equations with plenty of examples;
Caring humane interested ppl = left
Self-entitled self-interested pricks = right
This will be interesting. https://x.com/aussiecossack/status/1703679880951713891?s=46&t=5RczxwAfzX...
Supafreak wrote:https://theklaxon.com.au/ztem-65/ Jacinta Price exits “Bridging the Gap” charity https://theklaxon.com.au/ztem-64/ Jacinta Price quits “no” campaign group. ……The Klaxon’s revelations suggest serious tensions between Price and Mundine have been brewing for months.
Was she pushed due to her recent repugnant and untrue statements?
burleigh wrote:https://www.instagram.com/reel/CxU4ue9SW5b/?igshid=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==
This bloke is part of a rally coming up https://x.com/aussiecossack/status/1703679880951713891?s=46&t=5RczxwAfzX... I duckduckgo his name and see what comes up . Can’t say I’m surprised . When you look at the funding for these organisations it gets even better .
Seeds "Was she pushed due to her recent repugnant and untrue statements?"
Nah, a rift has formed between the two 'token' No campaigners. Jacinta has realised that if Mundine gets the NSW pre selection for the vacant senate seat then she will get the arse from the shadow ministry because Mundine's faction is bigger and will demand representation. It's politics.
Meanwhile Mundine has put his prized senate ambitions in jeopardy by going off script on Insiders and claiming the No vote is the way forward for a treaty, which he supports, and he supports changing Australia Day, a position he flipped on again the next day, telling 9 morning viewers he wants Australia Day to remain as is.
So the conservative No side has Dutton (Yes to constitutional recognition, No to enshrining a Voice, Yes to legislating a Voice, Yes to a second referendum if this one fails) the Nationals (No to all of it) then Jacinta (No to all of it) and Warren (Yes then No to the Voice, Yes to a treaty, No and Yes to changing Australia Day).
At least those goddamn commie Yes voters put on a united front.
We’ll I guess us commies aren’t self serving. Now where did I put my Lenin bust paper weight?
@burleigh , care to explain Bruce Shillingsworth jr ? Intention one earth …… beam me up scotty
haha. Oh dear.
As i mentioned above, birds of a feather.
Supafreak wrote:indo-dreaming wrote:Supafreak wrote:burleigh wrote:Supafreak wrote:burleigh wrote:Supafreak wrote:burleigh wrote:Supafreak wrote:@burleigh , just saw your question, If you can show me a poll that only 30% FNP support the yes to voice then I would seriously vote no . Why ? Because it’s not about me burleigh , I’m not requesting a voice to parliament, FNP are .
So you’re basing your vote off the yes23 campaign of 80% of FNP supporting the Voice?
Do you think the 80% from yes23 is misleading or possibly not correct as it was done on Feb with a very small minority of FNP?
Im going with the people I personally trust in this campaign, that’s my choice . You also have a choice Burleigh and your voting no . Do you believe you can change my thinking on this ? I don’t believe I can change yours and I’m not attempting to either . Gotta stand for something I believe , or fall for anything . Can you show me your poll that only 30% of FNP support the voice ? Now that Ive answered your question can you answer mine ? You don’t trust the labor government, if they opposed the voice and wanted everyone to vote no would you then vote yes ?
No I can’t, it was a hypothetical. However when yes23 campaign of 80% is based off an online vote of 300 then 800 FNP with no actual proof needed it gets you thinking. Then when you realise it was done over 6 months ago it seems extremely suss.
Where did you get your information on how yes23 came up with 80% ?
Am I wrong?
What I found interesting about the rallies on the weekend were the huge difference in numbers. Australians dont generally get out in large numbers unless it’s something they really believe in like the Vietnam war protests. I posted the video from Melbourne and pictures from Sydney, massive difference . Spud is playing games with this and thats why he has JP & wazza front and center , he doesn’t want to be seen as leading if it goes pear shaped which by the looks of those rallies is very possible . Gotta wonder why there isn’t big turnouts for no vote rallies. Or is it that people on the no vote side don’t really care enough and can’t be bothered.
Ha ha its funny that you think because there is people at rallies that the Yes vote will get up.
I mean the polls favour the No camp, but they are still showing about 40% for Yes thats still a lot of people, but it still means its unlikely to get both ticks needed to get up, more than 50% Australia wide and majority of states.
Plus issues like this cause people to be passionate couple this with big money to get the word out and you get big numbers, those who are voting yes and passionate are also much more likely to be left leaning which has a culture for thing's like rallies and just virtue signaling in general.
I think there is going to be some No rallies but i dont expect they will have the same numbers, apart from being poorly advertised (only seen one post on social media), most just aren't into that type of thing, for instance i would never go to one, i find it gimmicky and kind of cringy, its unlikely to change anyones mind, i just dont see the point of these rallies or walks, id much rather people read the info needed.
BTW. look at the covid rallies they were huge and went on for weeks but look at the results from freedom parties, to me it was surprising even with people like Clive Palmer putting in huge money, i thought at the ballot box their presence would be much bigger or Dan would have no chance of getting reelected even with a piss weak opposition.
Basically protestor's in most cases are generally just vocal minorities.
@indo what I find funny is I can post something and the way you interpret it is different to what Ive actually written . Read my post again then read the first 2 sentences of your reply .
I was replying to this bit
"What I found interesting about the rallies on the weekend were the huge difference in numbers. Australians dont generally get out in large numbers unless it’s something they really believe in like the Vietnam war protests. I posted the video from Melbourne and pictures from Sydney, massive difference . Spud is playing games with this and thats why he has JP & wazza front and center , he doesn’t want to be seen as leading if it goes pear shaped which by the looks of those rallies is very possible . Gotta wonder why there isn’t big turnouts for no vote rallies. Or is it that people on the no vote side don’t really care enough and can’t be bothered."
As to why Dutton has Jacinta & Warren front and centre, obviously its because they are Aboriginal and passionate about the issue, it would be crazy not to have them front and centre.
Only time i want Dutton talking about the voice is in parliament and supporting Jacinta and Warren, otherwise he should take a back seat.
Who said useful idiots? I feel they are being used
Yes indo
seeds wrote:Who said useful idiots? I feel they are being used
It's called politics.
Only useful idiots being used is Yes voters by activist and Albo.
Activist want money, power, revenge and Albo wants some kind of legacy,.
This "activist" guy sounds frightening, wants money, power and revenge.
I wonder if he understands how plurals work.
Supafreak wrote:https://theklaxon.com.au/ztem-65/ Jacinta Price exits “Bridging the Gap” charity https://theklaxon.com.au/ztem-64/ Jacinta Price quits “no” campaign group. ……The Klaxon’s revelations suggest serious tensions between Price and Mundine have been brewing for months.
And people question me when i share "dodgy" links. What the hell is this Supa?
At least the link i shared from Rebel News actually happened.
burleigh wrote:Supafreak wrote:https://theklaxon.com.au/ztem-65/ Jacinta Price exits “Bridging the Gap” charity https://theklaxon.com.au/ztem-64/ Jacinta Price quits “no” campaign group. ……The Klaxon’s revelations suggest serious tensions between Price and Mundine have been brewing for months.
And people question me when i share "dodgy" links. What the hell is this Supa?
At least the link i shared from Rebel News actually happened.
"Anthony Klan is the editor of The Klaxon and an investigative journalist specialising in business malfeasance and government corruption.
Anthony's work has sparked numerous inquiries and law reforms. He holds Australia’s top journalism award, a Walkley Award, for business journalism and has been named a finalist for the Graham Perkin Australian journalist of the year. He has won News Corporation Australia’s top award and has been named News Corporation Australia business journalist of the year on three occasions. In 2016, he was named a finalist in both the investigative and business categories of the Society of Asia Publishing Awards and a finalist for the NSW Kennedy Award for Outstanding Financial Journalism."
Sounds like the guy actually does his resuuuuurch. Far out, inspired law reform. Impressive C.V!
southernraw wrote:burleigh wrote:Supafreak wrote:https://theklaxon.com.au/ztem-65/ Jacinta Price exits “Bridging the Gap” charity https://theklaxon.com.au/ztem-64/ Jacinta Price quits “no” campaign group. ……The Klaxon’s revelations suggest serious tensions between Price and Mundine have been brewing for months.
And people question me when i share "dodgy" links. What the hell is this Supa?
At least the link i shared from Rebel News actually happened.
"Anthony Klan is the editor of The Klaxon and an investigative journalist specialising in business malfeasance and government corruption.
Anthony's work has sparked numerous inquiries and law reforms. He holds Australia’s top journalism award, a Walkley Award, for business journalism and has been named a finalist for the Graham Perkin Australian journalist of the year. He has won News Corporation Australia’s top award and has been named News Corporation Australia business journalist of the year on three occasions. In 2016, he was named a finalist in both the investigative and business categories of the Society of Asia Publishing Awards and a finalist for the NSW Kennedy Award for Outstanding Financial Journalism."
Sounds like the guy actually does his resuuuuurch. Far out, inspired law reform. Impressive C.V!
nice copy n past southern. Congrats.
Now show me some real evidence that Jacinta Price has quit the no campaign.
It doesnt exist.
burleigh wrote:southernraw wrote:burleigh wrote:Supafreak wrote:https://theklaxon.com.au/ztem-65/ Jacinta Price exits “Bridging the Gap” charity https://theklaxon.com.au/ztem-64/ Jacinta Price quits “no” campaign group. ……The Klaxon’s revelations suggest serious tensions between Price and Mundine have been brewing for months.
And people question me when i share "dodgy" links. What the hell is this Supa?
At least the link i shared from Rebel News actually happened.
"Anthony Klan is the editor of The Klaxon and an investigative journalist specialising in business malfeasance and government corruption.
Anthony's work has sparked numerous inquiries and law reforms. He holds Australia’s top journalism award, a Walkley Award, for business journalism and has been named a finalist for the Graham Perkin Australian journalist of the year. He has won News Corporation Australia’s top award and has been named News Corporation Australia business journalist of the year on three occasions. In 2016, he was named a finalist in both the investigative and business categories of the Society of Asia Publishing Awards and a finalist for the NSW Kennedy Award for Outstanding Financial Journalism."
Sounds like the guy actually does his resuuuuurch. Far out, inspired law reform. Impressive C.V!nice copy n past southern. Congrats.
Now show me some real evidence that Jacinta Price has quit the no campaign.It doesnt exist.
Like i said earlier Burleigh, now would be a really good time for you to shut up and listen you dope.
indo-dreaming wrote:seeds wrote:Who said useful idiots? I feel they are being used
It's called politics.
Only useful idiots being used is Yes voters by activist and Albo.
Activist want money, power, revenge and Albo wants some kind of legacy,.
https://m.
@burleigh , JP hasn’t quit the no campaign , you need to slowly read the article . Care to comment on Bruce Shillingsworth jr or senior ?
Supafreak wrote:@burleigh , JP hasn’t quit the no campaign , you need to slowly read the article . Care to comment on Bruce Shillingsworth jr or senior ?
Ah so it was clickbait. Sounds like award winning journalism to me.
You’re fighting the good fight for Bruce Shillingworth Supa. If he had your yes vote years ago in your mind he wouldn’t need to protest. All his political issues would have be resolved
GuySmiley wrote:Ooops…. https://www.theage.com.au/national/anti-voice-rallies-organised-by-pro-p...
Hahaha...the right camp looking more shonky by the minute! Strange propaganda, outright lies, deception and derangement... the usual right's fare.
burleigh wrote:Supafreak wrote:@burleigh , JP hasn’t quit the no campaign , you need to slowly read the article . Care to comment on Bruce Shillingsworth jr or senior ?
Ah so it was clickbait. Sounds like award winning journalism to me.
You’re fighting the good fight for Bruce Shillingworth Supa. If he had your yes vote years ago in your mind he wouldn’t need to protest. All his political issues would have be resolved
Oh it wasn’t clickbait , she has quit the” No campaign group “ not the no campaign. So shillingsworth is your man eh , dig a bit deeper Burleigh and find out who’s funding his rally .
Goodnight Burleigh , 5.30 start tomorrow
Uni assignment i did a few years ago. This is my take on things. I'm sure this will ruffle many feathers. I hope so.
Love Blue Diamond x
The Necessity of Reparation for Historic Injustices
Introduction – Compensatory Justice
Disparities between the standards of living of humans on this planet have long been a part of our history on this planet. From the wealthy nations of the West to the developing and undeveloped nations on this globe, the diversity in the quality of life when viewed from a moral standpoint are without a doubt grossly unfair.
In this paper I will look at why historic injustices do require some form of reparation. I take a strong stance that we are more obliged to solve current injustices than to provide reparation for every act of injustice in the past. In doing this I will first investigate the historic injustice of the Aboriginal people of Australia and I will look at the argument that they are entitled to some form of reparation and why.
I will incoroporate some interesting views from Jeremy Waldron, Robert Nozick and others which will help me slowly build to my conclusion that reparation should be in the form of Non Indigenous Australians surrendering some of our priveleges as a form of reparation.
Historic Injustices to Indigenous Australians:
Australia the continent was well inhabited for many years long before white settlement. It is commonly known that in 1788 Australia was colonised as a country under the rule of the British Empire, with total contempt for the fact that it was already inhabited by a native indigenous race of people.
The way the original inhabitants have been treated, including forced assimilation, execution, stolen families and not even allowed to be recognised as citizens for a large part of white Australia’s history are also well known facts. (Poole, 1999,pp114-142)
There exists now a situation where there is a large divide between Aboriginal and non Aboriginal Australian’s that can be traced back to the moment Australia was invaded by English settlers and the brutal and unfair treatment that has followed.
So at this point now, in 2013 what is the just and fair way to make amends for past actions?
I would argue that a moderate to large amount of reparation is overdue for this nation of people, the Aboriginal people. But there are many challenges to this view point especially that of how much reparation, and what sort of compensation.
Past injustices or present suffering?
One of the questions raised in an issue like this is whether it is better to provide compensation or reparation for past deeds, which have already been done in a previous generation and cannot be changed, or whether it is better to now provide assistance to those who are suffering in their current situations and consider that as a form of moral duty.
To understand this we need to delve a little deeper into this issue and hear some differing viewpoints.
Firstly we need to understand what the best way to provide reparation. How do we judge what is the best way of giving back and how much? Jeremy Waldron states “The historic record has a fragility that consists, …in the sheer contingency of what happened in the past” (Waldron,1992,p5 )
This is saying that we can’t trace every single injustice back to the original act therefore reparation for every act would be almost impossible because it would ultimately be guess work.
In this statement he has an objection from Robert Nozick who believes it is in fact possible to address this problem by “changing the present so that it resembles how the past would have looked had the injustice not taken place” (McKenzie, 2013)
This would be a way to ultimately provide maximum reparation, but is it the correct approach? I believe this is a fairly radical approach, although it does have some merits in the fact it would be working in a positive way for indigenous people, I don’t think it is entirely the right way to deal with these issues but it is on the right track.
Waldron argues that it is based on too many unknowns. “The status of counterfactual reasoning about the exercising of human reasoning of human freedom is unclear”(Waldron 1993,p10)
Which leaves the question somewhat open about the sort of reparation that is required, but provides one clear answer to the key question. Both agree that yes, reparation to some extent is required. But how much and in what form?
Another philosopher who leans more towards Waldron’s views is Kymlicka. He is somewhat more straightforward in his assessment that property rights in particular for Aboriginals would create “massive unfairness” and also he maintains the argument “Aboriginal rights must be grounded in concerns about equality and contemporary disadvantage. (McKenzie, 2013) I agree with both these views but I don’t think they provide any active solutions.
The Solution?
So if its not handing back all of Australia’s land to the original inhabitants that is the most appropriate way to deal with past injustices, then what is?
I look at the current country I grew up in, as a white Australian. I ask myself why I never had Aboriginal friends growing up, no understanding of Aboriginal culture and why my basic understanding of Indigenous Australians is mostly 200 years old. I look at our flag, a symbol of a nation that stole a country from its original inhabitants, with no recognition of the Indigenous people at all on it. I see that Australia considered Indigenous people as less than people until only 40 years ago and I see the way that Indigenous Australians live a completely separate life to the way of life I know as an Australian. I see that the only indigenous politician I am aware of is a former Olympian and it is because of this fact of her sporting status that I know this. I see no collective power or representation of Indigenous Australians and I see non Indigenous Australians,( a culture built on a history of stealing a land and mistreating its people) still taking, taking as much out of this land as they can, with little to no regard of sharing or giving to the original inhabitants. I see a government that says lots of words about ‘closing the gap’ and bringing the living standards of non- indigenous and indigenous Australians closer together, but apart from nice words, there is no conviction, no follow through, just assimilation , and all that still remains are injustices.
As stated by Sparrow, “Continuity gives rise to responsibility on part of present generations of Australians for our history”.(McKenzie,2013). Although deeds happened in the past beyond our control, what we do now to either ignore, or rectify these issues will reflect on us in history. So if we choose to do nothing, we are contributing to the history of the mistreatment of non- indigenous Australians. And this is simply unacceptable in my opinion.
Conclusion
So what is fair? I believe that the way forward is a surrendering of some of our privileges as non- indigenous Australians. The simple fact is it was morally wrong without a doubt what has happened in the past. And it is also morally wrong without a doubt to ignore these facts and not offer some form of reparation in the present. But how much?
I think that going back to Robert Nozick’s argument is a start. I think Nozick is wrong to make the present resemble the past in every aspect. But I do think that it would be reasonable to restore some aspects of the way things should be. The things that happened in the past were out of our control and we can’t go back to changing the way things were. But we could change the way things are.
For some examples. Why not give at least 50% of political power to indigenous people? It surely would be a fair thing to do considering this is their country. Media control. 50 percent. Industry. Realestate. The list goes on. Why do we not acknowledge the indigenous people on our flag, or better still use their flag? Why is Australia still a part of the Commonwealth when it serves little purpose to any of us and serves as a constant reminder to Indigenous Australians that they are still controlled by the original invaders. These to me are fairly simple reparations that would have minimal impact on Australia as a whole. Perhaps, it would alter the way we live but I think it is our responsibility, morally to forfeit some of our privileges for the greater good. Basically a little bit goes a long way.
In closing, it is a fact that a huge injustice occurred to the Indigenous population and suffering continues to this day. There is no easy solution to such a burden of pain. I believe the only solutions are for the non- Indigenous population to take responsibility and sacrifice our own way of life to bring about an overall equality. Sacrifice is not an easy word. But it all comes down to right and wrong. We are in a position to give, in this current generation. What are we so scared to lose, that was never ours in the first place??
Bibliography
McKenzie,C.”Prof” (2013), Lecture, Historic Injustices and Indigenous Rights, Macquarie University
Poole, R. (1999). Nation and Identity.Routledge, London, pp.114-142
Waldron,J. (1992). ‘Superseding Historic Injustice’. Ethics, 103 (1), 4-28
References
Poole, R. (1999). Nation and Identity.Routledge, London, pp.114-142
Waldron,J. (1992). ‘Superseding Historic Injustice’. Ethics, 103 (1), 4-28