Tolerance
Too little, too much, or just right?
The still and silence is torn with violence.
A loud breaking sound in the night is made.
Hear it grow, hear it fade.
The sound you’re hearing, the sound you’re fearing
Is the hate that parades up and down our streets,
coming within bounds and within reach.
Songwriter: Natalie Merchant.
International Day for Tolerance
Today, November 16th, is an annual day declared by UNESCO in 1995 to generate public awareness of the dangers of intolerance. Or as defined by Awareness Days:
Every year, the International Day for Tolerance invites people from all walks of life to reflect on the value of understanding and respect. It’s a gentle reminder that embracing diversity is not just about acceptance – it’s about building a more peaceful future together.
It’s been going for thirty years, and based on changes over that time, you couldn’t claim that it has been much of a success.
The efforts we once made to be more tolerant are now decried as ‘woke,’ and among other things, we’ve had the small matter these last few years of a genocide based on intolerance and a war without end in Ukraine.
Tolerance is in short supply. Sometimes, we get it right; mostly, things are getting worse, and sometimes, we’re tolerating the wrong things, like that genocide I mentioned. I’m pretty sure we shouldn’t have tolerated that, so let’s start there.
Winston tolerates Israel.
When Winston Peters stood in front of the UN and declared to the world that New Zealand would not join the majority of nations and recognise a Palestinian state, he shamed many of us, disgusted that with such a clear case of right and wrong, of ethnic cleansing, our country would not take a position.
How could we do it, and why? Was it to gain better trade terms - well, that didn’t work, or realpolitik, our hands tied by diplomatic advice not to offend the US, or its client state, Israel?
Seems it wasn’t that either, and I’m starting to wonder if it was all to get the most publicity for Mr Peters on the basis that all coverage is good.
Here is the advice that MFAT gave Mr Peters, who, as we remember from his sacking of Phil Goff, is adamant that we must follow the official line:
“This leaves recognition of Palestine as the only viable option to maintain New Zealand’s long-standing support for a two-state solution.
New Zealand deciding not to join those recognising Palestine risks being seen as tacitly endorsing Israel’s illegal acts.”
Meaning that Winston and those who supported his stance acted contrary to diplomatic advice by backing Israel during a genocide.
The most shameful government in our history.
Jack commented, “Imagine this coalition doing anything useful for brown coloured people who haven’t contributed to their election fund. I can’t.”
He’s not wrong. If the people who live in Palestine were white and Christian, there is no way in hell that the world would have accepted the large-scale execution of civilians for so long.
Ian said, “Unfortunately, that is consistent with this government’s habit of not listening to either official advice, but more importantly, their constituents.”
Debbie wrote, “You know all their calls for the COVID enquiry? I want an inquiry into their decision-making process and the reasons for disregarding the advice. They should be locked up.”
Good call, and while we’re at it, I’d really like an enquiry into Casey Costello’s kickbacks to the Tobacco industry. Where did the money go on that one?
Tolerating the Brain Drain.
Do you remember that under John Key, the National Party used to run advertisements showing an empty Eden Park and warning Kiwis that if the left were elected, that would be a representation of how many would depart for better opportunities across the Tasman?
He pulled the heartstrings, imploring voters that if they wanted to see their families grow up, they had to vote National to keep them here, and now what?
We’re seeing record departures that would have had National screaming blue murder if Labour were in charge, and Tama Potaka says, “I’m not too worried about it.”
As for the Finance Minister, can you guess what Nicola Willis said? You know you can...
“Willis responds: It’s Labour’s fault.”
Labour’s Barbara Edmonds pointed out, “Luxon says Kiwis should just go to where the jobs are. They are, but sadly, those jobs are not here in New Zealand.”
Touché. Meanwhile, Employment Minister Louise Upston was rather more philosophical, saying, “People move for a range of reasons, and some will be moving to Australia for work opportunities. Some of them will come back, some of them won’t.”
If you think that sounds a bit blasé, maybe she’s just happy as Employment Minister that she doesn’t have all those additional people looking for work, as there aren’t enough jobs as it is.
Senior Police tolerate abuse.
Like many this week, I’ve thought of Louise Nicholas, who was raped in the 80s by Clint Rickards, Brad Shipton, and Bob Schollum in my home town of Rotorua.
A case that disgusted this country with police cover-ups, lies, and delayed justice was only brought to light through the extraordinary courage and persistence of Nicholas.
That should’ve been the low point, the “never again” moment when the culture of our Police changed to prevent anything like that happening again, and yet here we are.
Most of us respect our police; they do an awful job, and for the most part, they do it bloody well. Yet here it is, all these years later, a culture that saw senior officers collude to protect their own while treating the woman who was assaulted as the party at fault.
In my view, and that of others, this is not a problem that can be fixed by defining processes or implementing more internal oversight; it requires more external monitoring with an expectation of identifying wrongdoing.
Louise Nicholas is a hero in my eyes, and, unfair as it may be to many excellent police officers, the force has been tarnished this week in a way that will take decades to regain the respect of many. Sadly, that will especially be the case with women reporting rape or assault, only a small percentage of whom report such crimes as it is.
Kura do not tolerate Tiriti changes.
After I wrote about my local primary school’s statement on Te Tiriti the other day, I received similar announcements from other schools that readers sent through.
There have been numerous responses, and it’s great to read in this article that other schools are filling the leadership vacuum left by this government.
From RNZ, “From Whakatāne to Tāmaki Makaurau to Ōtautahi and Invercargill, school boards have issued public statements reaffirming their obligations to honour Te Tiriti o Waitangi.”
It has been so gratifying to see many schools refusing to tolerate the intolerance of our government towards Māori. We all know that’s what it is, it’s not about making sure there is enough time for teaching the basics, it’s about giving in to bitter old racists like Hobson’s Pledge who are furious if Māori are given anything, even demanding that future generations do not become indoctrinated with learning.
Debbie said, “Last I read, over 200 schools were reaffirming their position. A good way to flip the middle finger to the white wing twats.”
Liam wrote, “I got an email from my kids’ primary school this morning that, to paraphrase (and take artistic license), ‘The government can eat a big bag of Compass Group supplied dicks. We are supporting and sticking firm to our Treaty Obligations.’ (They used more Te Reo).”
Some people, who would never accept other subjects being made optional, said it wasn’t an issue, as the government was making Te Tiriti non-compulsory, and it was up to the school to decide.
But why should Māori language, history and te Tiriti be treated as second-class learning objectives with their inclusion down to the priorities of the Principal and Board?
On top of that, there were offensive and idiotic comments from racist trolls. However, not as many as in the following story, which I received numerous complaints about and deleted dozens of comments and blocked accounts.
Intolerance of Jenny-May’s moko kauae.
If you wanted the perfect recipe to attract racist trolls, then a successful woman, who is Māori, with cultural facial tattoos, would make excellent bait.
I wrote, I won’t miss her political interviews, but I’ll always respect Jenny-May for opting for her moko kauae despite knowing how the racist Neanderthals would respond. Can we bring back Campbell now?
I knew there would be negative comments. I certainly remember the “barcode face” insults aimed at Nanaia Mahuta, but Jenny May wasn’t a left-wing politician; she was a TV reporter. How bad could they be?
They were pretty vile, and I’m going to concentrate on the positive comments, besides which I’ve deleted the worst ones, which invariably came from “locked profiles”.
Makere commented, “Underlying animosity towards her because she now strongly embraces te ao Māori, went on a reo journey, spoke publicly about it and had a moko kauae. Good for her. I’ll always support our people who have the courage to learn te reo and embrace te ao Māori. It’s not an easy journey. If she wasn’t performing well in interviews, that’s up to her producers to ensure she has the necessary training to reach the standard. Go well, Jenny-May! Kia piki te ora!”
Craig said, “It’s interesting that there are so many negative and racist comments on here. Very little about her as a person or her as a presenter. For me, I’ve always wanted her to dig deeper when questioning MPs, rather than just taking their answers at face value.
I’ve valued her introduction of Te Reo. Small sentences, words and phrases. Hardly a threat, but it has triggered some numpties. Good luck to her.”
Typical of the negative comments was that from Sandra, who said, “I used to love watching Breakfast, but in the last few years its content has been predominantly about Maori. You would think that only Maori live here!
I am not blaming the Breakfast hosts, but the people at the top who decide the content. Programming needs to change to show a more balanced view of New Zealand and its citizens.”
People who are accustomed to everything being in English and claim that spending a small amount of time covering Māori topics is an insidious takeover that threatens pakehā, rather than a redress of the shortage of Māori voices and faces.
I’ll leave it there for today, hope you have an excellent Sunday and enjoy the International Day for Tolerance.
Ngā mihi,
Nick.
To end today, here’s 10,000 Maniacs with Tolerance.
Te Reo should be compulsory in New Zealand schools
I've been watching bbc"s Emerald Isles with Ardal O'hanlon. What struck me was the number of Irish speakers including the presenter. Eire has made a point of teaching Irish even after 700 years of colonisation trying to stamp it out.
The Finland education system guarantees the right to learn one's native language,Sweden includes Sami in the curriculum,South Africa is introducing bilingual education in school,Brazil guarantees the right of indigenous people to be taught in their own language, Peru recognises Quechua and Aymara alongside Spanish, Similar schemes in Malaysia, Singapore and so it goes.
What is it with the locked profiles?!? They seem to be an eclectic mixture of dogs, motorbikes, skulls, tattoos (strangely), boats, souped up cars, and might just let you know that, among other vague things, they are digital creators. Which is ?? - playing around on your device?? A nasty bunch of cowards, in my book.