01 August 2010
Stop the talking, start the doing.
18 August 2006
Comment: Te Waha Nui Online
Qiane Corfield delves into the stereotypical perceptions of Maori in New Zealand, coming to the conclusion that Maori need to stop covering up their indiscretions and face their problems.
We’re dole bludgers who kill our babies. We’re gang members on P. We spend all our money on alcohol instead of investing in the lives of our children. We beat up our wives, live in the past, get too many “privileges” and protest too much.
We are Maori.
Of course there is more to the story. But all these stereotypes, labelling and accusations are true.
So face it. Stop trying to pull out some excuse to justify the disturbing actions of a people full of no-hopers, pill-pushers and drunks.
Hearing this may give you a sudden urge to scream.
To face the cosmos with eyes shut, head flung back, and release the melodic tones of a sharp shriek.
This ear-splitting influx of information may seem like the most racist of opinions, but sadly it’s fact.
Between 1990 and 2001, 48 Maori children were killed in family violence.
That’s almost half of the total number of child victims in New Zealand.
And not to mention the Kahui twins. In fact, let’s not mention them, that issue has already been way overdone by the more intelligent of columnists.
Statistics show that over the years, Maori women have accounted for 46 per cent of refuge clients, and the top three reasons for spousal abuse are alcohol, financial and drug problems.
It’s not a coincidence that the largest users of methamphetamine live in Northland, where a vast population of Maori just happen to reside, nor is it a coincidence that this area also has one of the highest unemployment rates.
Heck, only one in four of us speak our own language, and most of this linguistic population is made up of school kids. So New Zealand, who do we blame?
I know, let’s blame the white man who subconsciously corrupted the minds of the natives.
They brought these substances to our clean, trouble free shores and forced them down our throats.
Maybe it’s our “warrior gene” that ignites this inexcusable anti-social behaviour.
Or how about the Government, it’s always good to point the finger at for society’s problems.
Everyone seems to think we need to find a culturally appropriate solution for the struggles of this lower class race.
Why not just stop being “PC” about it all and let the opinions rip?
It may turn some heads and start changing things.
Why not just look to ourselves for a change.
I know I’m guilty of turning a blind eye or two when I see an aunty roll up a tinny and intoxicate her young children with the fumes of her hydroponic helium.
Or when a relative, who suffered the loss of their only son, sells P, consequently killing more of this country’s teenagers.
Or even when I give up on trying to convince my cousin to leave her abusive boyfriend.
We Maori cover up all our indiscretions because we refuse to give those middle-class Pakeha nationalists the satisfaction of being right.
But by doing this, we are just reinforcing that they are.
