For about 35 years I denied my history. I denied the institution with other fair-skinned Aboriginal children where I was raised. I denied the sexual, emotional, physical and spiritual abuses. Instead, I glossed over everything - the huge house, the sprawling acres of gardens and orchards, the cows with fresh milk, the chickens, the summers at the beach and the neighbourhood full of kids. Because like Howard, Herron and others I was embarrassed and ashamed of the truth and wanted things to be different, more pleasant.
Adversity builds strength of character.
If a nation can face its dark past and admit its wrongs, what strength would there then be in this nation's character. E. Hodgson, Wollongong. The Prime Minister meets the NT Chief Minister, Denis Burke - the irresistible force of intransigent unrepentance meets the immovable force of truculent resistance. I will not hold my breath for some blinding light of humanitarianism to illuminate the landscape. Jim George, Woolgoolga.