AustLit

'During the dawning of nationhood, populations in northern and western regions increasingly displayed mixed racial compositions which threatened the "White Australia" ideal. Legislation enacted under the guise of "protection" aimed to control intimate relationships between Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal peoples, and later required mixed-descent children to be removed from their families for the purposes of controlling, absorbing or assimilating them into white society. Misunderstandings surrounding the motives behind such legislation have significantly impacted inter-societal relations as the impacts of such practices have come to light. The 2008 Apology to the Stolen Generations comprised contrasting sentiments of the nation's foremost political leaders, and reflected the enduring polarisation of attitudes towards the mistreatment of Indigenous Australians. This article argues that while legislation originally provoked an empathetic reaction and political activism in some and largely spawned misunderstanding and indifference in others, many Australians now acknowledge the impacts of callous and inhumane legislation while some continue to steadfastly cling to their misconception that only kindness and "good intentions" drove past practices.' (Publication abstract)