--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: I was profoundly embarrassed by it (the…" description: "\"I was profoundly embarrassed by it (the White Australia Policy) and did all I could to change it.\" — Gough Whitlam" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/06a/gough-whitlam-22463_australia_i-was-profoundly-embarrassed-by-it-the-w_907170.jpg" --- # I was profoundly embarrassed by it (the White Australia… ![“I was profoundly embarrassed by it (the White Australia Policy) and did all I could to change it.” quote by Gough Whitlam](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/06a/gough-whitlam-22463_australia_i-was-profoundly-embarrassed-by-it-the-w_907170.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/06a/gough-whitlam-22463_australia_i-was-profoundly-embarrassed-by-it-the-w_907170.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/06a/gough-whitlam-22463_australia_i-was-profoundly-embarrassed-by-it-the-w_907170.jpg) > “I was profoundly embarrassed by it (the White Australia Policy) and did all I could to change it.” [Gough Whitlam](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gough-whitlam/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. He felt deep shame about the White Australia Policy and worked hard to dismantle it. **In simple terms:** He was embarrassed and acted to change a racist policy. Key Takeaway Act against injustice when you recognize it. Themes justice politics human rights Mood reflective determined Type historical political When to use this quote - activism - legislative change - public apology - education campaigns Key Concepts policy reform moral responsibility Questions to Reflect On - What policies today cause you shame? - How can you influence change effectively? A Different Perspective Changing entrenched policies faces strong opposition and slow progress. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Australia](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/australia/) [Embarrassed](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/embarrassed/) [Memorable](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/memorable/) ## Related quotes > [“People don’t blush when they’re embarrassed. 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We have been rigorous and willful in all…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sufjan-stevens/perhaps-we-have-failed-as-human-beings-perhaps-we-have-embarrassed/) [Sufjan Stevens](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sufjan-stevens/) > [One day I was running around playing with my son Connor when afterwards I was sweating, tired and out of breath. I was embarrassed…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/drew-carey/one-day-i-was-running-around-playing-with-my-son-connor-when/) [Drew Carey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/drew-carey/) > [But that quickly faded, and he frowned. "You're bleeding," he said. "What happened?" Claire sighed and held up her wrist to show him the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rachel-caine/but-that-quickly-faded-and-he-frowned-you-re-bleeding-he-said-what/) [Rachel Caine](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rachel-caine/) > [“Really? I'm trying to place you. It seems like we've met before." Did I just issue him a pick up line? Fantastic, I've now…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jamie-mcguire/really-i-m-trying-to-place-you-it-seems-like-we-ve-met-before-did-i/) [Jamie McGuire](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jamie-mcguire/) > [I have pictures with Morimoto where I'm all embarrassed and he's so serious, it took me 30 minutes to get up the courage to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marcela-valladolid/i-have-pictures-with-morimoto-where-i-m-all-embarrassed-and-he-s-so/) [Marcela Valladolid](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marcela-valladolid/) > [Some of the things I've done, like getting Justin Edinburgh sent off in the cup final by going down, I'm embarrassed - I cringe…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robbie-savage/some-of-the-things-i-ve-done-like-getting-justin-edinburgh-sent-off/) [Robbie Savage](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robbie-savage/) > [I have that need in me, I want everyone to love me, but I'm embarrassed by that need, so I wanted to cover it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anthony-jeselnik/i-have-that-need-in-me-i-want-everyone-to-love-me-but-i-m-embarrassed/) [Anthony Jeselnik](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anthony-jeselnik/) ## More by Gough Whitlam > [Poverty is a national waste as well as individual waste. We are all diminished when any of us are denied proper education. The nation…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gough-whitlam/poverty-is-a-national-waste-as-well-as-individual-waste-we-are-all/) [Gough Whitlam](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gough-whitlam/) > [A conservative government survives essentially by dampening expectations and subduing hopes. Conservatism is basically pessimistic, reformism is basically optimistic.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gough-whitlam/a-conservative-government-survives-essentially-by-dampening/) [Gough Whitlam](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gough-whitlam/) > [An education system where student selection is based on credit capacity and not merit capacity and where graduating students are no longer indebted to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gough-whitlam/an-education-system-where-student-selection-is-based-on-credit/) [Gough Whitlam](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gough-whitlam/) > [Ladies and gentlemen, well may we say 'God Save the Queen', because nothing will save the Governor-General. The proclamation you have just heard was…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gough-whitlam/ladies-and-gentlemen-well-may-we-say-god-save-the-queen-because/) [Gough Whitlam](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gough-whitlam/) > [It is the first time the burglar has been appointed as caretaker.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gough-whitlam/it-is-the-first-time-the-burglar-has-been-appointed-as-caretaker/) [Gough Whitlam](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gough-whitlam/) > [I've never said I'm immortal. I do believe in correct language. I'm eternal; I'm not immortal.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gough-whitlam/i-ve-never-said-i-m-immortal-i-do-believe-in-correct-language-i-m/) [Gough Whitlam](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gough-whitlam/) > [Well may we say 'God save the Queen', because nothing will save the Governor-General'.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gough-whitlam/well-may-we-say-god-save-the-queen-because-nothing-will-save-the/) [Gough Whitlam](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gough-whitlam/) > [Vincent Lingiari, I solemnly hand to you these deeds as proof, in Australian law, that these lands belong to the Gurindji people and I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gough-whitlam/vincent-lingiari-i-solemnly-hand-to-you-these-deeds-as-proof-in/) [Gough Whitlam](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gough-whitlam/) > […he reveals that he has been a poor politician, a bad judge and a malevolent individual.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gough-whitlam/he-reveals-that-he-has-been-a-poor-politician-a-bad-judge-and-a/) [Gough Whitlam](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gough-whitlam/) > [I'm the only P.M. of which that can be said - 'His legislation was never declared invalid in the High Court.'](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gough-whitlam/i-m-the-only-p-m-of-which-that-can-be-said-his-legislation-was-never/) [Gough Whitlam](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gough-whitlam/) > [Dying will happen sometime. As you know, I plan for the ages, not just for this life.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gough-whitlam/dying-will-happen-sometime-as-you-know-i-plan-for-the-ages-not-just/) [Gough Whitlam](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gough-whitlam/) > [Maintain your rage and enthusiasm for the campaign for the election now to be held and until polling day.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gough-whitlam/maintain-your-rage-and-enthusiasm-for-the-campaign-for-the-election/) [Gough Whitlam](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gough-whitlam/) > [Men and women of western Sydney, it's appropriate, you apparently believe, that Australia's oldest surviving Prime Minister should make the concluding remarks in Australia's…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gough-whitlam/men-and-women-of-western-sydney-it-s-appropriate-you-apparently/) [Gough Whitlam](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gough-whitlam/) > [She was a remarkable person and the love of my life. We were married for almost 70 years. She encouraged and sustained me and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gough-whitlam/she-was-a-remarkable-person-and-the-love-of-my-life-we-were-married/) [Gough Whitlam](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gough-whitlam/) > [Australia's treatment of her Aboriginal people will be the thing on which the world will judge Australia and Australians - Not just now, but…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gough-whitlam/australia-s-treatment-of-her-aboriginal-people-will-be-the-thing-on/) [Gough Whitlam](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gough-whitlam/) [Explore all 27 Gough Whitlam quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gough-whitlam/) ## More Australia quotes > [I've always been of the idea that is doesn't really matter where you are geographically - with 'Lonerism,' we made half the album in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kevin-parker/i-ve-always-been-of-the-idea-that-is-doesn-t-really-matter-where-you/) [Kevin Parker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kevin-parker/) > [In the nineteenth century some parts of the world were unexplored, but there was almost no restriction on travel.:; Up to 1914 you did…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-orwell/in-the-nineteenth-century-some-parts-of-the-world-were-unexplored-but/) [George Orwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-orwell/) > [I wanted to have a peaceful married life with my wife, so we both moved to Sydney in Australia.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rahul-roy/i-wanted-to-have-a-peaceful-married-life-with-my-wife-so-we-both/) [Rahul Roy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rahul-roy/) > [It will be nice to play against Australia. It's a great country, and football is getting bigger and bigger.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/juan-mata/it-will-be-nice-to-play-against-australia-it-s-a-great-country-and/) [Juan Mata](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/juan-mata/) > [We don't have any sailors in Australia, we have rowers.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ben-lexcen/we-don-t-have-any-sailors-in-australia-we-have-rowers/) Ben Lexcen > [I think that prosecuting some college kid because she shared a file is a lot like sending somebody to Australia 200 years ago for…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/iggy-pop/i-think-that-prosecuting-some-college-kid-because-she-shared-a-file/) [Iggy Pop](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/iggy-pop/) > [Sydney CBD is the eastern city, Parramatta is the central city and Badgerys will be the third city in greater Sydney.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gladys-berejiklian/sydney-cbd-is-the-eastern-city-parramatta-is-the-central-city-and/) [Gladys Berejiklian](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gladys-berejiklian/) > [No matter what day we celebrate Australia Day, let's celebrate it together and give thanks to the original inhabitants of this vast country. We…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jimmy-barnes/no-matter-what-day-we-celebrate-australia-day-let-s-celebrate-it/) [Jimmy Barnes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jimmy-barnes/) > [As a young kid you stay up late to watch the Ashes, getting told off for not being in bed, and dream of making…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jonny-bairstow/as-a-young-kid-you-stay-up-late-to-watch-the-ashes-getting-told-off/) [Jonny Bairstow](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jonny-bairstow/) > [I love coming out to Australia, if it weren't so far away I would go all the time. I've worked with a lot of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/erick-morillo/i-love-coming-out-to-australia-if-it-weren-t-so-far-away-i-would-go/) [Erick Morillo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/erick-morillo/) > [What I appreciated was the fact that the script delved into how Australians were - and still are - condescended to by the English.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/geoffrey-rush/what-i-appreciated-was-the-fact-that-the-script-delved-into-how/) [Geoffrey Rush](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/geoffrey-rush/) > [Okay the names 360, I run around tipsy. My fellas in Australia all sit with me.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/360/okay-the-names-360-i-run-around-tipsy-my-fellas-in-australia-all-sit/) 360 > [Coal is the moral choice, particularly for the developing world... The model for the world right now should be Australia. Australia gets it. Scientifically…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marc-morano/coal-is-the-moral-choice-particularly-for-the-developing-world-the/) Marc Morano > [I want to be part of the team that wins a Test series in England and Australia.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gautam-gambhir/i-want-to-be-part-of-the-team-that-wins-a-test-series-in-england-and/) [Gautam Gambhir](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gautam-gambhir/) > [I was brought up in a Christian home in Australia with a father who was very bold about his faith.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ken-ham/i-was-brought-up-in-a-christian-home-in-australia-with-a-father-who/) [Ken Ham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ken-ham/) [Browse all 1,907 Australia quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/australia/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "I was profoundly embarrassed by it (the White Australia Policy) and did all I could to change it.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Gough Whitlam" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gough-whitlam/i-was-profoundly-embarrassed-by-it-the-white-australia-policy-and-did/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Australia" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gough-whitlam/i-was-profoundly-embarrassed-by-it-the-white-australia-policy-and-did/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/06a/gough-whitlam-22463_australia_i-was-profoundly-embarrassed-by-it-the-w_907170.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/06a/gough-whitlam-22463_australia_i-was-profoundly-embarrassed-by-it-the-w_907170.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/06a/gough-whitlam-22463_australia_i-was-profoundly-embarrassed-by-it-the-w_907170.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“I was profoundly embarrassed by it (the White Australia Policy) and did all I could to change it.” — Gough Whitlam", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Gough Whitlam", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gough-whitlam/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "I was profoundly embarrassed by it...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gough-whitlam/i-was-profoundly-embarrassed-by-it-the-white-australia-policy-and-did/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gough-whitlam/i-was-profoundly-embarrassed-by-it-the-white-australia-policy-and-did/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```