Kevin Rudd's Apology

The nation held its breath in anticipation on the morning of the 13th of February, 2008. Commuters switched on their radios, students in classrooms drew their chairs up to small televisions, members of the public gathered in clubs and parks to view large screens, and outside of Parliament House gathered a massive, fantastic conglomeration of faces, eyes all focussed on the enormous screen as they awaited the promised word.

   "For the pain, suffering and hurt of these stolen generations, their descendants and for their families left behind, we say sorry.

   "To the mothers and fathers, the brothers and sisters, for the breaking up of families and communities, we say sorry."

Some cheered, some wept, but all felt an overwhelming sense of relief as Prime Minister of Australia Kevin Rudd apologized to the Stolen Generation, as a great stain on the nations soul was removed, as Rudd put it in his almost half-hour long speech.

It was a magnificent demonstration of the tremendous power of one little word, and a fabulous way to kick start the nation's journey towards total reconciliation and bridging the gap between the living standards of indigenous and non-indigenous Australians.

And it's about bloody time someone apologized, too.