I am only expressing my own views.
This is still in line with all other views in previous blogs on Tino Rangatiratanga and Politics.
I guess I am more providing some clarity.
My heart still aches and weeps regularly for the murderous wars of colonization, slavery, rapes, abuses, stealing of land and the destroying of whole civilizations. This greatly angers me.
Equally, I am saddened at the ongoing modern effects of Colonization, like suicide, broken families, domestic violence, poverty of mind and circumstance, ill health, huge incarcerations and so on and so on.
I still have all of that in mind as I write this controversial post.
And yes.. It will definitely upset some exponents of Tino Rangatiratanga... and some who have certain socio-cultural and political views.
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For me
WE CAN NOT Reverse Colonization. There is no way that we can 'Have Pakeha pack up and Leave'
'Tell the Government to Go', or to 'Send them all back to England'.
There is no way I can drain all my Pakeha blood and put it in bottles for other Pakeha to take back to Britain.
That can't happen.
There is no way that we can just 'Go back to the Pa and live like we did, before Pakeha came'.
There is no way that we can ignore what Aotearoa - New Zealand is today, and 'send the Pakeha home'.
I can not and will NEVER encourage some civil war like in Africa to 'Get the Pakehas off our land".
I'd never tell anyone to crazily burn down the Parliament or ANYTHING like that.
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None of that can or will happen.
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I feel the anger and frustration of Maori.
I understand the rationale of some who want to set up Sovereignty Groups, or people who protest the Government, or those who do not 'want a part of the system' any more.
I get it. I do.
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What I offer though.. and here is the clincher... Here is the crux of this blog entry...
IS WHAT YOU ARE DOING, MAKING AN ACTUAL TANGIBLE DIFFERENCE TODAY FOR TE IWI MAORI?
We are motivated by the same anger and frustration that I write of above.... but
WHAT DO YOU ACTUALLY DO??? Who does it actually help???
Are you aiding, benefiting or helping Te Ao Maori, Te Iwi Maori???
Are you lifting out of the poverty you hate?
Are you freeing families from the violence that plagues them?
Are you empowering Whanau? Are you helping people to get better?
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Take some time to reflect.
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We protest at Waitangi every year. We organise Hikoi.
Some make 'Sovereignty' Courts, Governments and Incorporations?
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BUT.. What does it all ACTUALLY do for Maori on the streets and in their homes... and not just in your area but across Aotearoa - New Zealand.
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I do not seek to condemn ANY honest effort to help our people.
But I do seek to cause reflection and retrospection. To cause us to think about how we can tangibly move our people forward.
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I know protest. But I also know Action and work. I know how important it is to be active in the community and in my home.
I guess that is my call.
My call to all who read this blog.
We do more for Ngai Maori (and indeed all Indigenous people) when we just be good Mums, Dads and brothers... When we have kids....
When we take them to school... When we drive our grandparents around...
When we are good employees in our jobs
When we kiss our kids and hug them
When we reject that last beer or stub out that cigarette for good..
When we smile at the stranger, no matter which country they were born in
When we achieve that Certificate or that Masters
When we open an eco-friendly business
When we sweep the whare kai, or serve kai there
When we stack or lay mattresses in the whare moe.
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Believe me
I know how terrible Colonization is.. I truly do... I mean many of those terrible things I wrote of above... I've either witnessed or experienced.. I DO Know.
But I am equally saying, with the same power
We dismantle the effects of colonization when we do the simple things which build our homes and strengthen our whanau.
Colonization can't be reversed... But we can dismantle it.
Nga mihi nunui.
Thank you for reading
well written,erudite,,Good Points,,better to fix the Now & future first ,otherwise the past will Never ever have a chance to heal,,FYI,I don`t mean forget,I mean don`t let the past actions/effects ruin the NOW and the future wellbeing ,ect,thats just my 10cnts worth,
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