There has been a flap over the Maori flag flying at North East Valley School in Dunedin this week, where a local businessman sent an email to the school, for flying “mixed array of flags”. He took offence at a Maori flag, and implied only one flag should be flown.
He said “Talk about mixed messages, when what this country needs is some national pride and a sense of belonging. I suggest you read the attached message, and then review your confused teaching.”
The attached email from a friend closed with:
“It’s not a crime to be white YET … but getting very close.”
This highlights a fairly common feeling that things Maori are threatening other people’s sense of their place. It also raises wider issues.
I think most people don’t have a problem with Maori reclaiming their cultural identity and openly displaying and promoting it. It’s generally accepted an important part of New Zealand identity as a whole.
However there is widespread disquiet about the degree that Maori culture is being used, especially when it is compulsory. Most people don’t mind it at a reasonable level, but they sometimes get the feeling it is “forced down their throats”. Talking about it is actively discouraged to the extent of labelling any criticism as racist.
I don’t think this is a Maori problem, people complain about other cultures as well.
When Maori are proud of their culture, and promote it and get it included in everything they think it should be a part of, then good on them. Like anyone else they should be sensitive to the difference between including and imposing.
Non-Maori people who want their own culture promoted should do that. If they want a flag of their own flown they should get support for that. If they want their own welcomes for visitors they should organise them. If they want their own tattoos and fabric designs they should get them.
Maori and non-Maori should also feel free to take part in whatever cultures they like – and they should also feel free to not take part if they choose not to.
They can choose whether to pray or not.
They can choose to go to church, and they can choose their church.
They can choose to sing the anthem, either version, both, or neither.
They can choose to watch a haka, they can choose to do a haka.
They should be prepared to fly their own flags, but accept that others may do likewise.
They should also choose to speak up (or email) if they feel the need – in the language of their choice. That’s one of the most important parts of our culture, the right to free speech. Alongside that they need to be aware that free speech has responsibilities, and it can have repercussions if you offend someone.
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Maori Flag Flap
There has been a flap over the Maori flag flying at North East Valley School in Dunedin this week, where a local businessman sent an email to the school, for flying “mixed array of flags”. He took offence at a Maori flag, and implied only one flag should be flown.
He said “Talk about mixed messages, when what this country needs is some national pride and a sense of belonging. I suggest you read the attached message, and then review your confused teaching.”
The attached email from a friend closed with:
“It’s not a crime to be white YET … but getting very close.”
This highlights a fairly common feeling that things Maori are threatening other people’s sense of their place. It also raises wider issues.
I think most people don’t have a problem with Maori reclaiming their cultural identity and openly displaying and promoting it. It’s generally accepted an important part of New Zealand identity as a whole.
However there is widespread disquiet about the degree that Maori culture is being used, especially when it is compulsory. Most people don’t mind it at a reasonable level, but they sometimes get the feeling it is “forced down their throats”. Talking about it is actively discouraged to the extent of labelling any criticism as racist.
I don’t think this is a Maori problem, people complain about other cultures as well.
When Maori are proud of their culture, and promote it and get it included in everything they think it should be a part of, then good on them. Like anyone else they should be sensitive to the difference between including and imposing.
Non-Maori people who want their own culture promoted should do that. If they want a flag of their own flown they should get support for that. If they want their own welcomes for visitors they should organise them. If they want their own tattoos and fabric designs they should get them.
Maori and non-Maori should also feel free to take part in whatever cultures they like – and they should also feel free to not take part if they choose not to.
They can choose whether to pray or not.
They can choose to go to church, and they can choose their church.
They can choose to sing the anthem, either version, both, or neither.
They can choose to watch a haka, they can choose to do a haka.
They should also choose to speak up (or email) if they feel the need – in the language of their choice. That’s one of the most important parts of our culture, the right to free speech. Alongside that they need to be aware that free speech has responsibilities, and it can have repercussions if you offend someone.
