Tony Abbott on History

**naiwen** · 13-10-2008 20:12

As a general rule history books are written by the victorious.

If you really want to be disgusted take a look at the history the japanese teach to their school children.

No mention of Nanking in there.

**sockstealingpoltergeist** · 13-10-2008 20:22

Originally Posted by Myfanwy

Firstly as my DS would say the lack of documentation is a 'cover up'. It was not usually in retaliation. Sometimes it was and sometimes it wasn't.

As for indigenous history not being taught fully in schools. What schools are you talking about ? I personally know that the school system that my children are in spend too much time and money force feeding aboriginal history to the students. This is to the detriment of the basics, maths, english, science etc. At the beginning of every assembly that they have at their schools they thank the aboriginals and apologise to them. It makes me want to

.

A cover up - that's very funny, the original documents from events that happened in Australia's past past are available, because the government thought in all it's racist wisdom that it was doing the right thing by killing off the Indigenous people.

They saw no reason to cover anything up! Because of course they (thought) were right!

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**pinkgingham** · 13-10-2008 20:26

Originally Posted by sockstealingpoltergeist

A cover up - that's very funny, the original documents from events that happened in Australia's past past are available, because the government thought in all it's racist wisdom that it was doing the right thing by killing off the Indigenous people.

They saw no reason to cover anything up! Because of course they (thought) were right!

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with everything you've said in this thread

**canberramomma** · 13-10-2008 20:39

I think it's really sad that people still see the past as a thing that our kids should be ashamed of and therefore cover up. I think that only with the real teaching of our history and the 'integration' of our society will come real healing and understanding of so many mixed cultures.

We are so segregated that apartheid would really have no impact here. I have lived in many communities that treat Indigenous, Italian, Greek, Asian, Middle Eastern, Latin Americans and African people as outcasts.

I have never been out of Australia, but I think that the whole "charity begins at home" should extend to those trying to build a life here.

I have had many friends from different cultures who were forced to seek residence from other countries. These people included scientists, geologists, climate specialists, general practitioners, and specialists who can't get visas because they come from a 'backward' country like Germany or China or Japan.

When are we going to accept that we are no better than the rest of the world, in fact we are going backwards if one looks at the latest research!

Let other cultures in and teach our kids some respect is what I reckon!!!

**KatiesMum** · 13-10-2008 20:51

Originally Posted by naiwen

As a general rule history books are written by the victorious.

If you really want to be disgusted take a look at the history the japanese teach to their school children.

No mention of Nanking in there.

of course History is biased .... you usually only get 1 side of the story.

And yes - for the record I think it is entirely appropriate that children are taught history ... particularly Australian History (which therefore includes both the history of the British Colonies and aboriginal history).

**~Emmylou~** · 13-10-2008 21:15

Ah Tony. Tony, Tony....how I miss you.

Always good for a laugh.

**Phyllis Stein** · 13-10-2008 21:29

It's times like these I find my support for freedom of expression starting to waver. Some of the ignorant, racist comments on this thread have me reaching for a bucket.

**ComeBackKid** · 13-10-2008 21:35

And the opinion of some who think that only certain people with a certain point of view are entitled to freedom speech has me reaching for a bucket.

We can disagree but we cannot deny anyone their own thoughts or expression of those thoughts.

**sockstealingpoltergeist** · 13-10-2008 21:53

Originally Posted by mahna mahna

It's times like these I find my support for freedom of expression starting to waver. Some of the ignorant, racist comments on this thread have me reaching for a bucket.

Almost makes as sick as as the suspended racial discrimination Act. Although Perhaps that is also a myth?

**Baldie's Mum** · 13-10-2008 22:11

I think schools should teach life skills from primary age. That IMO is WAY more important than trying to figure out a he said she said conversation between 2 dead people......

I think we should know where we come from, how we got here ect. But that would cover a HUGE range of cultures. Not just Brittish and aboriginal.

All of my blood comes from scottland. It is my personal interest to find out how and where my ansesters came about. ect.