I do not believe one generation should be expected to 'apologise' for a previous generation's 'crimes'. After all, an apology carries with it culpability. I live in Bristol, England, which was at the centre of the slave trade, and as a city benefited economically from this trade. I disagree with those have the opinion that the inhabitants of Bristol should apologise for this most dreadful trade which was of course, a crime against humanity.

On the other hand I believe it is perfectly appropriate that we say we are sorry that it happened, who wouldn't?

Of course, we don't know the precise lyrics of the 'Sorry Song' (the two lines quoted do not necessarily convey the context of the song', but I suspect it is saying that 'we' are sorry that the appalling treatment of the Aboriginies took place. Furthermore, I suspect that in a primary school this song would have been sung as part of a wider exploration of the topic, and not in isolation.

Even if none of this was the case, and the song was an 'apology', and it was sung out of context, is this the first time that Mr. East's son has come home confused and with questions about something he learned at school? My advice to Mr. East is that in similar situations in the future, he sits sat down with his son and talks to him about such things as justice, empathy, considering different points of view in the context of how people should behave towards each other. This way his son is more likely to grow up with a sense of justice and tolerance rather than a belief that if you don't agree with it, you censor it.