Kevin Rudd Apology To Australia's Indigenous People

On the morning of February 13 2008, Australia’s Prime Minister, Kevin Rudd made an apology to Australia’s indigenous peoples in the House of Representatives, Parliament House. The apology is more commonly known has the ‘Sorry’ speech as it was an attempt to officially move forward as a nation from the injustice that was the Stolen Generation. The Stolen Generations, occurring from approximately 1905 to 1969, was an endeavour by White Australians to create cultural assimilation and to ultimately force the ideal ‘White Australia.’ In this effort, around 100, 000 aboriginal children, often under 5 years of age and of mixed race, were removed from their families and raised in a white family. Kevin Rudd’s speech was the first time the Australian Government released an official apology to people affected by the policies of the previous governments. The speech, while apologising, is also stating the parliament’s aim to equalise opportunities for all Australians, regardless of their origin.

Kevin Rudd used ethos to appear credible and used tone and facial expression to deliver the message in the speech.

Unlike other well recognised speakers such as Barak Obama or Martin Luther King, Rudd does not approach his topic with power and strength but rather mellow authority. His sensitive and softened manner is created by both his physical position (movement, facial expression and body language) and his placid vocal approach (tone, pace and volume). Kevin Rudd’s tone and stance is non-threatening, thereby, forming a solemn and sympathetic speech that appeals to his audience, the Native Australians who have suffered as a result of the Stolen Generation. Rudd used pauses and stresses to emphasise his key points within the speech, the acknowledgement of hardship and the endeavours for the

future.

Logos, the literary devices used to appeal to the audience, is used by Kevin Rudd in this speech. Rudd’s central feature was repetition. He used the motifs ‘we say sorry’ and ‘we reflect’ to invite his audience to forgive the actions of past governments. Rudd repeats the anaphora ‘a future’ to clearly deliver his message and to enforce the idea of striving for a better future, ‘where all Australians, whatever their origins, are truly equal partners.’ He also incorporates personal pronouns such as ‘we’, to speak on behalf of the Parliament but also on behalf of Australians. His use of personal pronouns unites the public to move forward stronger and to leave the dark past behind. Rudd uses imagery to describe the past, stating that the Stolen Generation was a ‘blemished chapter in our nation's history.’ Kevin Rudd’s use of logos within his speech appeals to the audience as it forms a clear and concise speech with an effective message.

To create impact within the apology speech, Kevin Rudd used the technique pathos. He understands that the topic he is addressing is very sensitive and emotional for his audience, therefore, he cleverly delivers it with a sympathetic tone. His apology does not make light of the events that occurred when apologising for the ‘inflicted profound grief, suffering and loss on these our fellow Australians.’ Rudd skilfully combines voice of regret but also unity in his speech. His speech has the audience feeling patriotic and unified when saying that there will be a future where every Australian has ‘an equal stake in shaping the next chapter in the history of this great country, Australia.’ This comment allows all Australians, despite their origin, to feel as if they are equal to every other citizen and are given the same opportunities for success.

In my opinion, Kevin Rudd’s apology to the Stolen Generation is a ‘Great Speech.’ The delivery parallels with the language used to create a message of regret from past governments and appeals to a sensitive audience who have been the result of suffering for many decades. Repetition of the anaphora ‘a future’ completes the speech with a positive outlook and effectively displays a message of unity and allows Australians to move together from our dark past into a brighter future of equality.