Origins Inc wishes to caution against a racially divisive umbrella known as the White Stolen Generation.

While Australians separated by forced adoption have predominantly been white, those of other ethnic and racial groups within Australia have also lost children to adoption; hence, Origins Inc supports Australians Separated by Forced Adoption (ASFA). As the mission of Origins is therefore inclusive of all Australians separated by forced adoption, it continues to reject the exclusive and divisive, ‘White Stolen Generation’ (WSG) umbrella.

Origins is concerned that such a banner implies a pitting of white against black, reflecting ignorance or denial of the racist impetus inherent in past assimilation policies which led to the systematic removal of our indigenous people from their families of origins (the Stolen Generations):

The removal of vast numbers of children on the grounds of their race was the unique experience of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children. No other Australians were subject to discriminatory assimilation policies from the moment they were born.[1]

In contrast, members of ASFA were separated by forced adoption on the grounds of marital status.  In substantiation of this claim, Human Rights Commission paper No. 5 found grounds for class action due to the same:

…discrimination against a single mother on the grounds of her unmarried status may under the Sex Discrimination Act be an infringement of her rights (see paragraphs 61-2), which should be the same as those of any other patient, and specifically those of married mothers.  

She has the right to name her child and the right to see her child with no more restrictions than any other patient in the hospital, and even those restrictions are subject to her final decision. She can sign herself out of the hospital as can any other patient not subject to a committal for psychiatric reasons. She has the right to see anyone she wishes, including the putative father, and he has the right to see the child as much as any other father has the right.

Many of these rights are not being recognised, apparently on the grounds that restrictions are in the interest of the mother or her child. Not only is there no evidence to support restrictions on such grounds but there is an abundance of evidence that this type of repression is damaging to mother and child and can seriously jeopardise the realism of the decision that the mother is endeavouring to make about whether or not she should surrender her child for adoption.  There is clearly a need for those helping disadvantaged people – and single mothers are frequently disadvantaged people – to critically examine their motivation and their way of dealing with those they are intended to assist.[2]

Origins Inc therefore wishes to officially disassociate itself from the White Stolen Generation umbrella once and for all, in the interests of racial harmony and the Australians it seeks to represent.   We would urge all governments and organizations purporting adoption involvement in this country to do likewise. 

Origins Committee

Definitions:

Forgotten Australians

Stolen Generations

Australians Separated by Forced Adoption