Australians have attacked conservative American political analyst Matt Walsh for criticizing their nation’s “Sorry Day.”
Since 1998, Australia has observed National Sorry Day on May 26 every year to honor the Stolen Generations.
It pays tribute to the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children who were taken from their families against their will by the government.
Walsh reacted to an Australian called Lauren’s post on X on Friday, stating that she gave her son the day off when his school observed National Sorry Day “because we have nothing to be sorry for and I am sick to death of my white sons being guilt tripped.”
Walsh wrote, “This popped up in my feed for some reason,” after being astounded by the message. It turns out that Australia truly has a “Sorry Day” where all white Australians apologize to the “indigenous” people. I had to look it up. How did Australia turn into such a pitiful, helpless nation? When did this occur?
“I used to think Australians were a bunch of tough old bastards living down there with crocodiles and spiders the size of dinner plates,” Walsh continued. It turns out that they are simply Canadians who enjoy warm weather.
The day’s news shocked the right-wing commentator’s American following, and many Australians expressed disapproval online.
“Imagine what having a ‘Sorry Day’ must do to the psyche of children, and God help us for how it materializes in their adult lives,” wrote an American.
Matt Walsh, a conservative American pundit, has come under fire for criticizing Australia’s national “Sorry Day.”
Mr. Walsh’s reply to a Sorry Day post on X
Americans and some Australians criticized Walsh and other conservatives during the day, but many Australians also retaliated.
“You’re a flog, mate,” an Australian wrote in response to Walsh. The Labor government issued an apology for previous policies that encouraged institutional child theft, the effects of which are currently being felt across generations.
It’s a lovely gesture, Matt, because it teaches the white children that they owe the Indigenous people. “I don’t understand how anyone could think this is wrong,” retorted another Australian.
“I agree with a lot of what you’ve posted, but not this.” I’m a proud Australian conservative Christian who will apologize annually if necessary. My forefathers committed terrible crimes. I can apologize and be respectful, but I am not accountable!A third wrote to Walsh.
On Tuesday, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese released a statement in honor of National Sorry Day.
“We reflect on the pain and suffering borne by the members of the Stolen Generations,” he said, describing the survivors as brave. We consider all that it required for you to be honest and experience your pain. Albanese added, “As we more fully acknowledge our history, we begin to unburden ourselves of its unspoken weight. And we remain amazed by the courage with which you entered Parliament House to hear Prime Minister Kevin Rudd deliver the long-awaited Apology.” We grow from our mistakes and never stop looking for solutions.
On May 26, National Sorry Day is observed to honor the Stolen Generations.
Then, in 2008, future leaders Julia Gillard and Anthony Albanese watch as Prime Minister Kevin Rudd apologizes to the Stolen Generations at Parliament House in Canberra.
In the Australian Parliament, former Prime Minister Rudd formally apologized to the Stolen Generations on February 13, 2008. At the time, Rudd remarked, “And I offer you this apology without qualification.”
Up to one in ten to one in three Indigenous children were taken from their homes as a result of assimilation policies between 1910 and 1970.
The goal of the legally approved removals was to “breed out” or eradicate Indigenous culture and assimilate offspring into white society.
