It has been refreshing over the last few weeks to read some thoughtful and considered letters in support of improved political representation for Maori at local government level.
In opposition it is claimed variously that we are all one people, that Maori ceded sovereignty and that to accord Maori their rights as guaranteed under the treaty is racist and a form of apartheid.
These claims are persistent, but demonstrably untrue.
These claims are also self-serving in that they attempt to justify the status quo, which is one of white privilege and Maori disadvantage. This disadvantage is evident in outcomes for health, education and socio-economic status. I have heard little from those who would preserve the status quo as to whether they see Maori disadvantage as a problem and, if so, what they propose to do about it.
Andrew Thorpe, Welcome Bay.
4 comments
No one disagrees
Posted on 01-04-2021 08:11 | By crazyhorse
That those that relate to being Maori do not have a problem, but until we acknowledge the truth and that is parenting skills and other Maori telling them they are downtrodden and colonialism is to blame for everything we will not get anywhere, millions of dollars every year is spent on Maori social policies with no targets, checks or balances, the truth is after years of these policies thee is little change in Maori child abuse, murder, spousal violence and other crime, generations of the same families on welfare, the woke left will accomplish nothing with these statistics, only Maori can fix this problem and that starts with self-responsibility.
The truth,
Posted on 04-04-2021 07:47 | By R. Bell
is that everything the above letter states is factual. What is not factual is the manufactured notion that parenting skills and being downtrodden is what Maori use as an excuse for the undeniable and blatant systemic racism that they have faced since colonisation. The change in Maori achievement is obvious to all, except those who choose to ignore it, all due to current government policy and Maori determination. By the way the true meaning of woke is "to be aware" first used by black activists in the US.
@ crazyhorse
Posted on 04-04-2021 08:32 | By The Caveman
Your last line says it all - " .... only Maori can fix this problem and that starts with self-responsibility" !!!
The caveman,
Posted on 06-04-2021 07:57 | By R. Bell
taking one line of a comment chock full of misinformation is foolish. Of course self-responsibility in your world does not come with self- representation, very " colonial " don't you think?
Leave a Comment
You must be logged in to make a comment.