Wednesday 5 March 2008

Reconciliation and Aspirations








Bob Hawke writes in today’s Oz on the 25th anniversary of his first election victory –

Bob Hawke says national reconciliation is a great asset for Kevin Rudd and that Australians are sick of polarization and confrontation, just as they were in 1983.
"I think the nation was tired of the confrontation that characterised the Howard government," Hawke says in his Sydney office.
"People were sick of that. I think Rudd has tapped into a vein and I think he is genuinely committed to it."


Irrespective of whether you believe Rudd is genuine in his appeal to reconciliation rather than confrontation, in the short term at least, it has been a more productive strategy. It harnesses hope and compassion rather than fear and materialism, and seems no less effective.

From a personal perspective, I’ve learned that reconciliation is difficult (and sometimes risky), but worthwhile in the long run. I’ve never understood the appeal that fear and loathing hold for some conservative commentators.

The pursuit of possessions and status carries with it a risk of alienation. Rather than fighting like cornered cats to hold what they’ve accumulated, the so-called aspirational middle class is as likely to downshift to attempt to escape to a time and place where relationships and self-actualization are possible.

Across the Pacific, Obama has tapped into the same rich vein.

2 comments:

Sonnabend said...

I honestly hope this means progress for the Aboriginals..God knows there is a lot that needs to be attended to.

If this is just an empty gesture and all we get is spin and symbols and no real action..it will have been futile.

If Rudd acts, then more power to him if he can make a difference.

If this is just empty words...then he deserves his ass kicked.

I am also concerned about these compensation cases...they can erode the goodwill and will hinder, not help ,the situation.

Throwing money at this will do nothing to address the very real problems they face..if all the public sees is people with their hands out...all we will have is more problems.

Not a good way to begin.

1735099 said...

Compensation was always going to be an issue - with or without an apology.

Taken for Granted

Pic courtesy Leader Today Yesterday I went to the state school down the road, and voted in the local government elections, something I'v...