Apology
To The Australian Wednesday, February 13, 2008
Dear Editor,
It is understandable that many Australians want to say sorry to their Aboriginal people, seeing the sorry state of many of their race.
But if I were counselling an aboriginal individual, I would advise him or her not to take this personally, not to regard themselves as uniquely a victim. Hopefully some more effective help will be provided, but don't hold your breath. The politics is so confused, anything that is proposed to help aborigines will offend one faction or another.
There are many people, indigenous and other, here and everywhere, who have personally suffered outrages, injustices and disadvantages. Feeling the world owes you an apology and expecting special favours has never benefited the self.
Grab any useful help you can get, but carry on helping yourself when your case is not under the spotlight - which will be almost always.
Philip O'Carroll