We're not racist, just trying to stop boats

In terms of indigenous people we have barely begun to heal the wounds of invasion, genocide, denied history and failure to close the disadvantage gap.

On February 13^th 2008 an official and moving apology to the stolen generation was graciously offered by the then Prime Minister Kevin Rudd.

It had been a long time coming.

But with wounds so old and vast, the pain can be readily summoned with a word uttered so publically. So too can the insensitive follow-up jokes by the casual racist come as if automatically waiting for an occasion such as this.

But just as we hopefully are responding more rapidly, publically and compassionately to Adam Goodes, we are manufacturing another dirty little epoch, regarding refugees, for which a later Prime Minister will need to apologise. Racism, discrimination, entrenched disadvantage are shameful kith and kin. They abide together fostering the soul destroying prejudice that can be even more ghastly in its consequences than the physical hardship that is endured.

Many of the Asylum Seekers who have been used as an example to "deter others from getting on leaky boats" will become the Australian citizens of tomorrow. Their children will grow into members of our community. Any damage done to them we do to unto ourselves. We already owe them a profound apology.