EDITORIAL: Reconciliation honesty

Expressing a frank opinion about reconciliation or Sorry Day can be fraught with potential pitfalls.

Move outside the politically correct framework and a person quickly has a target on their back, like former Prime Minister John Howard, who steadfastly refused to formally apologise to the Aboriginal people.
Unfortunately some of these knee-jerk reactions have ultimately done more harm than good for the cause of under-privileged Aboriginals in Australia, acting to effectively stymie debate.
Even armed with a good idea or something worthwhile and valid to say, some people bite their tongues, lest they should unfairly be dubbed racist.
Of course, some people simply are racist, but the label should not be thrust forward as a convenient defence whenever certain people hear an opinion that fails to match their own.
Pleasingly, Reconciliation Week, which began yesterday, aims to celebrate the rich culture and history of the first Australians.
A lot of good people - indigenous and non-indigenous – genuinely want to improve the outlook for Aboriginal Australians, many of whom fight daily battles foreign to most of us.
Perhaps Minister for Aboriginal Affairs Grace Portolesi's statement on Wednesday was more accurate than even she was aware:
"We all need to take responsibility as individuals if we are going to seriously work towards changing the disadvantage experienced by many Aboriginal people," she said.
Yes, that “all” includes both indigenous and non-indigenous people.
Only by continuing to talk openly and honestly about Aboriginal issues will long-lasting change be embraced by the community.