ACT Memo

As you requested, this is your ACT Self-Advocacy Resource Network Memo facilitating a national dialogue among self-advocates and supporters and a clearinghouse for materials and training that support self-advocacy.

May 28, 2008

Surprise! Leaders Can Apologize

Last February, the leader of Australia apologized to aborigines. He said the state was wrong for all the times they were mistreated.

In the US, many people who were forced to live in institutions suffered abuse. They lost their rights. They lost their families. And many endured some terrible things.

Will the state say it’s sorry? Not Minnesota. “If we give you an apology,” they say, “what about the Indians?”

Our reply is: “Them, too.”

1.	Apology in Australia
2.	What’s to Apologize for in the US?
3.	Group Work
4.	Resource


1.	Apology in Australia Here’s a YouTube clip of a song and music video about the Australian apology: “From Little Things Big Things Grow,” performed by The GetUp Mob! [Return to top]


2.	What’s to Apologize for in the US? Here’s one example: The apology bill that Minnesota self-advocates want passed recites a long list of abuses toward people living in state institutions during the last century. Also, retired attorney Luther Granquist recently wrote an article about forced sterilizations in Minnesota. [Return to top]


3.	Group Work Watch the YouTube music video. Then ask people what they know about human rights violations in your state. Has the government ever apologized? How would an apology help (or not)? [Return to top]


4.	Resource Getting Organized This self-led workshop includes a video of how self-advocates are working to give dignity to people who lived and died in state institutions. It will inspire your group to action. [Return to top]

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Today’s Trivia Question:

True or false: Thanks to the new United Nations treaty on disability, everyone has the right to have a good paying job with benefits.

(The answer will be published
in the next Memo.)

Answer to May 15th Trivia Question:
d. 1990s

Question was: In what decade did Arc take the word “retarded” out of its name?

	a. 1960s		c. 1980s
	b. 1970s		d. 1990s

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