Colonization to Exploitation.

Colonization is when one race of people, or settlers migrate to a new land and interact with the indigenous peoples, however, colonization is not always a positive development. In most cases, such as the Aboriginals and the British, the colonizers try to force their culture and values upon the colonized. This becomes exploitation when the colonizers start to use the native people to their advantage, and do not treat them justly. Such examples of this are the Stolen Generations, when the settlers stole 'half-caste' children from their mothers, with no regard for the wishes of the Aboriginals.

The foreign people's main reason for this, was that they simply did not understand the customs of the indigenous race, and compared to their standards, judged them as "primitive". They thus assumed that the Aboriginals had less common sense, or were more gullible than they were.

However, this was not the case. There was simply a language barrier, and the settlers had more powerful weapons and were more technologically advanced than the indigenous peoples were, this was why they gained the upper hand, and were able to colonize Australia.

Apologies to the Aborigines.

When white settlers came to Australia, it was inevitable that they would have contact with the native people, whether this contact was amiable or not, depended on both the native tribes and the Europeans sharing the territory. Captain James Cook 'discovered' Australia in 1770 and claimed it, naming the area New South Wales. He did not take into account the race already living there, the Aboriginals. About 20 years later, as more whites began arriving on the continent, convicts from Europe, and made settlements along the coast, they often attacked Aboriginal villages and took the women as sexual slaves. The consequences of this brutal and violent behaviour were children, half white and half Aboriginal. In the century between 1869 and 1969, the foreigners took back these 'half-castes', establishing new laws that enabled them to steal children from their native mothers, and removing them to missionaries. These institutions were an attempt to breed the Aboriginal out of them, and maintain white purity. The children's captors, however, could never prove that the children did not suffer violence and neglect at their hands.

The apology put forth by Kevin Rudd was important, because it may have alleviated some of the enmity felt by the Aboriginals for the Stolen Generations. Wounds, no matter when they were inflicted, never fully heal, unless they are tended too. This relates to the festering emotions of anger, betrayal and fear felt by the those whose children were ripped from them for no valid reason. Although the native people of Australia can never truly forgive and forget the Stolen Generations, with this apology, the Australians and the Aborignals will work towards a healthier relationship, free of any grudges for mistakes of the past.

The colonized Aborignals, even though the Stolen Generations wasn't in their lifetime, will harbour an old prejudice against the whites that took over their land. As a result of this, they would never be able to reach cordial relations, now, with the whites apologizing for their rash behaviour, the Aborignals can forgive and move on. For the colonizers, apologizing must take much pride and regret for the past. It will humble them, and in the process of foriveness, better understand the people and culture they share their country with.

For fear to be a King.

"We never know how high we are,
Till we are called to rise;
And then, if we are true to plan,
Our statures touch the skies,

The Heroism we recite,
Would be a daily thing,
Did not ourselves the Cubits warp,
For fear to be a King."

- Emily Dickinson.

I chose this short poem, one of Emily Dickinson's few published works, as a quote to represent my personality. One of the most important lessons I have learned from life, and indeed what the first part of the poem implies, is that you can never know how good you are, or how much you can achieve, unless you try, or are faced with a situation that tests you in some way. It also mentions how if you're true to what you believe in, and keep your principles with you, you can really achieve something amazing. I have experienced this at various points in my life, and think it is a wonderful lesson to be taught. The quote also speaks of how we are always too afraid to reach our potential, fearing it may overshadow another or appear egotistical. I've also learnt this lesson from my experiences. You can never be afraid to do well at something, or be yourself. You have to take life as it comes. This is also portrayed in my picture. It shows how life is going to be rough at some times, joyful at others. This image shows that no matter what life hands you, you must embrace it fully and whole-heartedly.